I was wondering what those little buggers were that get through the screen and bite occasionally! They are like little flying fleas. What is this bug exactly? I don't recall seeing them in previous years. They have "no-see-ums" down in southern Florida but I think those live in a tropical climate only.

I don't have hundreds of them though. Only a few.

Do a google search for "gnat bites". You'll get more information and sites than you'd believe. I see them every year but this is the year they visited me inside the cottage. Probably only a few but they had all night to work me over. I could tell it was while I was sleeping because the bites are on my arms, legs, feet and top of chest, the areas uncovered when I'm in my short nightgown. When I'm awake and either gardening or working in the cottage, I wear shoes & socks, and long pants and a T shirt AND a long-sleeved shirt over that.

I'm going to spray insect repellent on the screens. Also, rubbing alcohol helps the itch a bit, for a while.

One of the articles says gnats like water, muddy ground and mulch. Guess what we have: birdbaths, brackish pond, wetlands and mulch.

Carol

We call them no-see-'ems.

Spraying the screens with insect repellent works well. My DH does it usually once a season and it lasts, though there is a bit of 'bug stuff' odor for a few days. Without it they come through the screens in the evening.