Gnats!

[FjordBCRF]

I’ve never in my life had issues with gnats. Flies, deer flies…sure. Gnats, not so much. But I know now that I have a sensitive to many things pony.

The weather has just started warming up here and apparently try the gnats are in full force biting Charlie’s sheath. When I got to the barn it was all swollen; I did witness him pee and no issues with dropping/retracting at all. I cold hosed him which he just LOVED and BO had her vet out so she took a look and confirmed; recommended Freedom Spot On or OFF and he’s already on Zyrtec. I had put in a call to my vet and haven’t been called back yet, but the receptionist said they’ve had a lot of luck with Vectra 3D which is flea/tick stuff for dogs.

Anyone had any experience with nasty gnats? I put Ultrashield Black on his tonight and out for tomorrow for now. It’s says it’s suppose to work on gnats but who knows.

Wiggly Fjord lip tax

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[Xanthoria]

Try the lemon eucalyptus type Repel - it’s available on Amazon or at the drugstore and is very effective against midges, ticks and mosquitoes.

[cnd8]

I live in South Georgia where it is very humid and we have very little breeze in the warmer months. We are below what is called the “gnat line” which means we have extreme gnats! They swarm your head, the horses eyes, everything. It becomes an acquired skill to talk while simultaneously blowing the gnats away from your mouth. LOL
There is a product called No Natz that is a blend of oils you could apply sparingly near his sheath. It’s literally the only product I know of that works on the gnats. They wont come near this stuff. It’s for people, but works so well and is natural. The SmartPak Out Smart fly spray works initially but wears off quickly in terms of gnats, specifically. I actually apply the Out Smart to my ears each day so they dont swarm my head.

[Buddy0227]

One word…SWAT.

[FjordBCRF]

Excellent, thanks all!

I just ordered the No Natz which will be here tomorrow, WalMart has the Repel which I will pick up today, and I do have Swat on hand. I would prefer a spray on to Swat though since its a lot of surface area and that is sticky and messy. BUT whatever will work.

Hopefully the Ultrashield will help some today. Most of the dog flea/tick stuff that the vets recommended have permethrin as the active ingredient and Ultrasheild has that as well. It certainly works well against the ticks here.

@cnd8 - That all sounds awful! I am in Ohio and NEVER remember gnats being an issue with people or horses in my lifetime. We had one of the mildest winters here though which I had heard was going to be bad for bugs so here we are. How often do you apply the No Gnats?

[JB]

UltraShield Black does work very well here against gnats. Having a few things to rotate through, or apply to different areas, is always a good idea

[rubygirl1968]

I use swat. The gnats get Leif too and since he has decided that fly masks with ears are a devil and have to be rubbed off, we get the joy of swat in very hairy ears too.

You’d think that fuzz would be a preventative but no.

The liquid doesn’t last long enough for us.

[FjordBCRF]

@rubygirl1968

You’d think that fuzz would be a preventative but no.

You really would!!

[Horsecrazy3]

My gelding has a very bad reaction to gnat saliva. I’ve successfully used Equiderma Neem and Aloe Herbal horse spray and Equiderma skin lotion. The neem interrupts the life cycle of the gnats, so there are fewer of them around after a while. You may have to dilute the horse spray as some horses are sensitive to full strength.

[luvmyhackney]

I heat up Vaseline in the microwave till it melts, then add fly spray of choice. Stir, pour in container, put in fridge for 2-3 hours and it turns back into standard Vaseline. Great for smearing on ears and sheaths.

I use an old plastic yogurt container and apply with a paint brush to save my hands.

[cnd8]

@FjordBCRF

How often do you apply the No Gnats?

Very rarely, actually. We are quite accustomed to the gnats here so we just deal with them. I just knew that product would work for you.

[walkinthewalk]

I slather good ole hemorrhoid ointment (NOT cream) on the opening of the sheath and up in the “fold” where the jewels were cut off, because they bite in there as well.

WalMart brand is cheap, it is not invasive, and it helps reduce itch/swelling:)

I will also rub a light film inside the ears —- another favorite spot for the gnats to devil a horse. Remember to wipe the ears out every day or so because the ointment will gather dust.

[RhythmNCruise]

Ugh, I hate gnats. My appy has major bug issues, and gnats are already out where I am too. He’s in his fly mask as I type this and will keep it on…possibly until November, lol. The Shoofly leggings will come out in another month, probably. I have Swat on hand as well, and Tri-Tec spray (he can only tolerate certain fly sprays as well). We’ll have 100+ degree days with god-awful humidity this summer, so fly sheets are not possible.
I may try that lemon eucalyptus Repel mentioned above.

Your boy is adorable, btw.

[FjordBCRF]

We have the full sheet and the leggings as well! My guy doesn’t seem anymore bothered than an average horse; swish and stomp. My mare growing up jumped out of the pasture once and ran back to the barn the bugs were so bad! He is much less dramatic, but I hate the sheath swelling type stuff. He wasn’t any worse today, less itchy at least, and the bite bumps seemed lesser, but still some swelling.

Thank you! He is like a pony teddy bear