Last Updated on August 29, 2021 by Fumipets

When the weather is nice in the summer, there’s nothing better than sitting in your backyard and soaking up some liquid sunlight as you cook supper on the grill. Your dog will most likely want to be near you when you’re outside, not only to enjoy the beautiful weather with his best buddy but also to assist you in cleaning up the crumbs from the grill.

Summer, however, brings out insects, some of which may be pests. Gnats and flies are renowned for sprouting in warm, humid conditions. While we humans can simply swat the annoying insects away, our four-legged companions have a difficult time getting the gnats and flies to go.

Why Are Insects Like Gnats And Flies Attracted To Dogs?

Flies and gnats may be harmful to your dog, even though they are just moderately annoying to humans. Flies, in particular, are attracted to a dog’s ears and may cause them to bleed. Flies may then lay eggs in the exposed wounds, causing your dog’s blood to become infected.

Infections aren’t anything to scoff at. They may endanger your dog’s health, especially if your dog is elderly and has a weaker immune system. It’s possible that your dog won’t be able to fight off an illness, or that he’ll require costly medicines to recover.

Ways To Keep Gnats And Flies Off Your Dog

Why risk the danger of your dog being bothered by insects? Here are several efficient ways to fight back against the insect armies that have declared war on you and your pet.

#1: Use Ointment On Your Dog’s Ears

Flies are drawn to your dog’s coat particularly if his hair is dirty or unhealthy. If you have an older dog, you should either bring him or her inside during the hottest times of the day or season. If you must take him outdoors, make certain that his fur is clean.

If your dog’s ears are being bitten by flies, make sure they are clean and clear of insects. If the flies and pests continue, apply petroleum jelly or Vaseline to the tips of his ears to prevent the insects from biting them. Make sure you don’t put anything on your pet’s body that they can lick off.

You may need to spray often depending on how severe the bugs are swarming. However, if this is the case, it may be preferable to confine your dog inside the house for a time.

#2: Keep Your Yard Free Of Waste and Dirt

Another way to keep pests at bay is to remove the flies’ food supply from your yard. To begin a new life cycle, flies must deposit their eggs. Flies are attracted to garbage and other trash. Garbage cans should be kept as empty and clean as possible to avoid attracting flies and gnats.

Dog excrement may also be a problem. As a result, you’ll want to maintain your yard clear of dog faeces. Cleaning up after them as soon as they complete their job is the best practice.

Keep a look out for dead birds or mice that your cats may have hunted and left for dead if you have outdoor cats.

Keep an eye out for mould and fungus in your yard as well. Check your vegetable garden for decaying plants and, if you have one, keep your compost pile covered. Fly and gnat breeding habitats may be found in all of these places. The bugs will quit bothering you and your dog if you maintain your yard clear of fly food.

#3: Keep Your Dog And His Area Clean

Dogs like rolling in stinky items to attempt to mask other people’s odours with their own. However, as every dog owner knows, this leaves them smelling bad to humans, but like flowers to gnats and flies.

Make sure to wash them with a good shampoo on a regular basis, and keep their water and food bowls clean as well. Pests will be fewer in their habitat if it is kept clean.

#4: Use Homemade Gnat Repellent Recipes 

Combine apple cider vinegar and dawn dish soap in a small jar or container. Cover with saran wrap and attach the plastic top to the container with a rubber band. With a toothpick, poke a dozen or more holes in the top, more or fewer depending on the size of the aperture. Gnats will be drawn to the mixture and will be stuck within until they drown.

Experiment with various recipes to see what you can come up with. Natural fruit juices, according to some, may be utilised with the same effectiveness. Ensure that the jar or container is kept out of reach of the dog. And when it’s full, just rinse it out and start again.

#5: Raid Fruit Fly Traps

These tiny traps utilise the same technique as the above-mentioned DIY repellant in a jar. These traps, on the other hand, do all the work for you. They’re apple-shaped traps that attract and catch gnats and fruit flies, and they’re provided with a non-insecticide food-based attractant.

It’s as simple as filling them with the bait, adding some water, and covering them. The rest is up to them. Extra lures are included, which should last around 6 months. They are suitable for both indoor and outdoor usage. After being cleaned with soap and water, the apple-shaped traps may be reused.

#6: Garsum Sticky Traps

These sticky traps cling to flying bugs and refuse to let go! They’re dual-sided and may be utilised both indoors and out. They’re all-natural, non-toxic, and waterproof.

They come in packs of 12, 24, or 48, making them a cost-effective method to keep pests at bay. They may be hung or inserted into the soil in your yard or in potted plants. Despite the fact that they are non-toxic, you should keep them out of the reach of children and your dog (s). They’re non-toxic, but they have a strong adhesive on them to keep the pests at bay. They are both pet-friendly and very efficient.

Method #7: Natural Gnat And Fly Repellent Sprays And Oils

There’s nothing better than going all-natural if you’re worried about toxins in repellents. Many essential oils are natural gnat and fly repellents. They have a powerful aroma due to the fact that they were derived from flowers, trees, and herbs.

The following are some essential oils that are known to repel gnats and other insects:

• Tea Tree oil
• Cedarwood
• Cinnamon
• Citronella
• Clove
• Geranium
• Lavender
• Lemon Eucalyptus
• Lemongrass
• Peppermint
• Rosemary

They may irritate gnats and other pests when diluted with water, causing them to flee. In a spray bottle, combine these oils with water and apply them to places where gnats and flies gather.

These natural repellents will not only keep undesirable pests at bay, but will also leave your home and yard smelling fresh and lovely. Despite the fact that these oils are natural and non-toxic, you should use care while spraying them near animals. Do not spray them in the face, and if the smell is too strong for your human nose, it is likely too strong for your dog’s nose as well.

#8: Flys-Off Insect Repellent For Dogs And Cats

Flies, gnats, and other harmful insects such as mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, and lice are all repelled with Flys-Off Insect Repellent. It comes in a pump spray container and may be used on a dog’s bedding as well. This spray is extremely effective, however, the container is very tiny. It’s also available as an ointment, which is a little less expensive.

#9: Ultrashield Natural Fly Repellent Spray For Dogs

This spray, like Flys-Off, repels flies, mosquitoes, and gnats. Ticks, fleas, and lice are not repelled by it. However, the recipe is eco-friendly, since it contains natural citronella, lemongrass, and cedar oils. The spray’s protection lasts for up to 8 hours. It comes in a bigger, more cost-effective bottle than Flys-Off.

#10: Wondercide Natural Flea And Tick Yard Garden Spray

This spray kills mosquitoes, ants, fleas, ticks, roaches, flies, scorpions, chiggers, crickets, chinch bugs, beetles, gnats, and other insects in a natural and safe manner. It’s suitable for cats, dogs, and kids. Simply add water to the product and spray your garden; the product will take care of the rest.

It has an 8,000-square-foot treatment area and may even be used on gardens. The strength of cedar oil, which inhibits the octopamine receptor in insects and repels them from the region, is what makes it so powerful.

It comes in two forms: a ready-to-use spray and a more cost-effective concentrate that must be diluted and requires a separate applicator. It should be applied twice within the first 7-10 days, and then every 30-45 days as needed after that.

#11: Wondercide Natural Deet-Free Mosquito And Insect Repellent

Wondercide was listed above due to the fact that it has a yard spray made from natural ingredients. They also offer a Deet-free natural insect repellent spray that is suitable for dogs and children.

The repellent is available in spray or wipe form, and in a range of fragrances.

There are no harmful chemicals.  artificial colours, dyes, perfumes, or pesticides in this product. All of the components are natural and of the highest quality.

Conclusion

Gnats and flies can be a pain in the neck for a pet owner and a literal pain in the neck for a dog. They may be dealt with in a variety of ways, depending on the severity of the problem they create. Prevention is crucial in keeping them out of your dog’s area, but if they have already invaded, harsher measures may be required.

All of the techniques mentioned here are safe and effective to varying degrees, depending on the situation. To determine whether at-home treatments can cure the issue, we suggest testing them first. If your gnat and fly problems persist, try some of the products suggested above.

Whatever method you choose to fix your problem, whether it’s vinegar, cedarwood, or sticky traps, your dog will shower you with sloppy kisses and a wagging tail.

Just remember to give him some scraps from the grill as a token of your appreciation.