06/15/2026
The term gnat is a collective word for many species of non-biting flies. In some areas, gnats are also called midges. Here in Florida, they're particularly present right now. That's because our recent weather has created their ideal reproductive conditions: humid, wet, and hot.
Humans have largely declared gnats are a nuisance but there's more to them than meets the eye!
Gnats, like all things, play a role in their ecosystems. For the Florida gnats that swarm us as we wander around outside - typically fungus gnats, though there's many different species - there are three main roles they play.
1. Decomposition & Nutrient Cycling
Gnats are attracted to decomposing material; they help break down material and return nutrients to living soil. This is also why they swarm humans, especially around the face --- they are attracted to the CO2 put off by our breath as well as our sweat.
2. Food Source
Because they swarm while breeding (swarms are started when a female lets out pheremones letting males know it's time to get down), they make easy and prolific targets for many predators. They help feed numerous predatory insects, birds, and bats. It's the circle of life --- live, breed, die, feed the living who then can breed because of your death.
3. Pollination
They also have a role to play in pollination. Fungus gnats specifically are known to pollinate hundreds of different plant species; that's what we call a generalist pollinator. Fungus gnat visits occurr primarily during the daytime or at dusk. Pollination by gnats is likely much more common that we think but there hasn't been much research done into their specific roles.
Despite all these positive roles, gnats can still be quite annoying when you're trying to get things done outdoors, enjoy a relaxing picnic, or would even like to simply climb into your car without inviting a gnat brigade to join your drive. So how can you deter them?
No matter what, DON'T treat your water sources or soil with any pesticides. They aren't effective long-term and they do incalcuable damage to human health, wildlife, and soil health.
Instead, consider these tips and tricks:
- Clothes: wear loose, light-colored clothing. Consider wearing a hat with netting if you are particularly sensitive to their presence. We've also seen a growing trend of wearing fake dragonflies pinned to hats --- this is utilizing a natural predator to deter them.
- Plants: there are numerous plants that can help deter gnats either by planting them around your outdoor zones or using as a spray/essential oil. Some suggestions include beauty berry, beebalm, lemongrass, neem, rosemary, basil, and citronella.
- Attract predators: encourage the presence of gnats GNAT-ural (ha!) predators. This can look like putting up bat boxes or bird houses. It can also look like providing the habitat birds, insects, and bats want to encourage them to live in your space.
