Twin Cities Daycare Shares Bloody Photos From Gnats Invasion

HASTINGS, MN — Kids Will Be Kids child care in Hastings is warning parents of a "horrible" gnat problem that is leaving children with bloody scabs and scars. A local veterinarian told the daycare the "biting Buffalo" gnats have blade-like mouth parts to slash the skin and feed on the blood.

On Facebook, Kids Will Be Kids owner Holly Fick warned parents "the problem is the kids don't feel them biting, and they don't itch until later." The bugs especially go after the neck and behind the ears, where kids get sweaty.

"It's horrific. You brush the back of your hand on their head and its pure blood," Fick told KSTP. In the 17 years she's provided daycare, Fick said she's never been so afraid to send kids outside.

Kids Will Be Kids isn't alone in reporting the explosive gnats problem. Hastings Veterinary Clinic has been swamped with 20 calls a day from people concerned about the gnat bites on their pets.

The Environmental Protection Agency recommends the following tips to avoid bites:

• Keep bugs away from exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks.
• Tuck shirts into pants and pants into socks to cover gaps in your clothing where bugs can get to your skin.
• Stay indoors when possible, especially if there is a bug-disease warning in effect.
• Use head nets, long sleeves and long pants if you venture into areas with high bug populations, such as salt marshes.
• Replace your outdoor lights with yellow "bug" lights, which tend to attract fewer bugs than ordinary lights. The yellow lights are NOT repellents, however.
• Use EPA-registered repellents when necessary.

Image via Shutterstock