Knowledgebase

What are the small bugs on our screens? #773716

Asked September 30, 2021, 3:18 PM EDT

We’ve recently (in the last several days) have had a large number of small flying bugs on the outside (and inside) of our screens. They appear to be gnat-like, don’t bite and are small enough to fit through the screen openings. They aren’t on every window but most of them to varying degrees. If we disturb them by opening the window, we get a small cloud of them in the house. We’ve tried vacuuming them but it’s a losing battle. We’ve also tried a general insect spray but that hasn’t deterred them. Do you have any ideas about what they are and what we can do to dissuade them from climbing through our screens? I suspect they are hackberry "gnats". Thanks!

Dakota County Minnesota

Expert Response

Screens could be covered with cheese cloth. 
a few more suggestions 

https://www.news-press.com/story/life/outdoors/2015/09/23/clothes-spray-screens-keep-bugs-bay/72633712/

Evelyn Locke, MN Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor, Volunteer Replied October 01, 2021, 11:03 AM EDT

Hi Extension Service –

 

I’d appreciate more information about the bug issue I described.  Can you confirm that it seems to be hackberry psyllids? Also, the link you sent describes possible steps to take primarily for insects biting/irritating people in southern Florida and doesn’t seem to apply to the bugs we have getting into our house through the screen.  Is this the section of the article you wanted me to see:

 

Another solution, according to the University of Florida /IFAS Okeechobee County extension website, is the proper screening of homes and windows to prevent no-see-ums from entering residences. No-see-ums can pass through a 16-mesh screen, so the best thing is to choose a screen with a large mesh number to get smaller holes to keep insects out. Also, because no-see-ums are so small and are weak fliers, ceiling and window fans can be used at high speeds to keep them out of small areas.

 

I’ve read that hackberry psyllids have a short lifespan.  If so, does this mean that we won’t have his issue for much longer?

 

Thanks,

Kathy

 

From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Friday, October 1, 2021 10:04 AM
To: kmkletscher <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: What are the small bugs on our screens? (#0043647)

 

The Question Asker Replied October 05, 2021, 6:23 PM EDT

Without a photo I can’t identify the insect. “clouds of tiny insects” isn’t enough description. Advice on how to keep them out  is possible and although there are screen treatments for keeping no see ums out available in the south, I haven’t seen them here and exclusion is a non toxic choice for something that will die as soon as there is a freeze and a usually a better choice.

Here is some control information and if you have a hackberry tree with galls or on nearby it is likely to be the source but it must have galls for there to be pysillids. The Imidacloprid is a systemic and is very toxic to pollinators and not recommended.

Evelyn Locke, MN Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor, Volunteer Replied October 06, 2021, 8:36 AM EDT

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