Gnats?

[Anonymous]

Not a long time resident here - Is it common in DMV for there to be so many gnats flying everywhere outdoors as early as May? They flit around your face and make it not so pleasant to be outside. I remember they were pretty bad in July and August last year when it got really humid, especially near dense vegetation. But this year I’ve noticed them everywhere even in parks or wide open fields in fairly dense urban areas like parks in NWDC, Rockville, CCMD, and Bethesda. And it’s not even that hot yet! Can you do anything about it? A spray that repels them? Or just another delightful summer phenomenon to get used to?

[Anonymous]

Yes. May and June are peak gnat season. They’re worse if we’ve had a damp spring. This year is about dead average. It’ll get worse.