How To Keep Gnats And Noseeums Away This Fall In Minnesota

Those tiny biting gnats and no-see-ums can turn a beautiful late-summer and early fall evening in Minnesota into a bug-biting nightmare. But you may already own something that can help fight back. And surprisingly, it doesn't require bug spray, chemicals, or some expensive gadget.

How to Keep Mosquitoes and Gnats Away Without Bug Spray

Minnesota may be the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but did you know we're also the Land of Thousands of Mosquitoes? Not just the number of them in your backyard here in the North Star State, mind you, but the total number of mosquito species. Minnesota's own Metropolitan Mosquito Control District (MMCD) says there are literally THOUSANDS of species of mosquitoes:

There are over 3,000 species of mosquitoes worldwide and here in Minnesota we have about 51 different species that are established. Only about half of those local species are considered a nuisance meaning that they bite humans or can vector diseases.

In case you've never heard of it, the MMCD is a state agency created in 1958 and based in St. Paul that provides services to the seven-county Twin Cities metro area. And they have their hands full, as a recent report just included Minneapolis as one of the most mosquito-infested cities in the entire country!

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If those bloodthirsty buggers seem to be invading your yard, the MMCD has five tips on creating a mosquito-free yard, so you can still get out and enjoy our late-summer and early fall weather here in the Bold North:

Eliminate mosquito breeding sources
Control mosquito larvae
Use physical barriers
Control adult mosquitoes
Protect yourself

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Can a Fan Keep Mosquitoes, Gnats and No-See-Ums Away?

While mosquito activity has actually been lower this year across the state, I can attest that those tiny gnats and no-see-ums (they're actually biting midges) are now out with a vengeance in our backyard. However, pest management specialists point out that there is a much simpler solution that just might keep those biting bugs away from you this late summer and fall: A simple fan.

According to mosquito-control experts cited by The Washington Post, a strong fan running even outside can be a surprisingly effective deterrent, because mosquitoes, gnats, and biting midges are weak flyers that have difficulty navigating strong air currents.

And a steady breeze from a fan makes it much harder for them to fly toward you and land, track the carbon dioxide and body odors you produce, or stay airborne around your legs and arms.

The Best Way to Use a Fan on Your Deck or Patio in Minnesota

The trick is how you use it, however. Don't just point a small fan at your face. You want to create air movement across the area where you're sitting. For a patio/deck setup, experts at the University of Florida recommend an oscillating fan positioned a few feet away, blowing across the seating area.

Even better, if you have two fans, put one on each side and create cross-flow over the seating area. A high-velocity floor fan can also work particularly well because you want a decent amount of airflow rather than just a light, gentle breeze.

Late August through September can be prime time for gnats and biting midges in Minnesota. They're most annoying around dusk and dawn, when conditions are cooler and less windy. If you're going to be sitting outside around sunset, experts suggest that you turn the fan on before the bugs get active rather than waiting until you're already getting eaten alive.

On the other hand, instead of battling those perky insects, perhaps you'd like to spend more time inside. If so, you'll want to check out this incredible home in Minnesota that's actually more like a castle, with plenty of space for you to avoid those bugs. Keep scrolling to check out the pics!