Why do gnats hover around people?

Asked by LostInParadise (31905

) September 20th, 2009

I did a Google search for information about gnats and found out that it is a generic term covering several types of insect. What I consider a gnat is an insect that tends to form swarms in warm and wet areas. They do not bite or even land on people. I have considered the possibility that they are not really attracted to people and it is just that they do not do anything to avoid bumping into them. It seems though that a particular cluster will follow you around. Is this right and, if so, what is the point of it?

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4 Answers

I think the CO2 and heat we give off attracts them. I have had many times where a group of tiny white insects follow me, and when I breath they go to my mouth.

XOIIO (18328

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BLOOD

ASoprano (109

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Like @XOIIO I too swallowed a gnat while talking. Actually, it was in Alaska where they are called no see ‘ums, and that species does bite.

There is no single species of insect called a gnat. Instead, the term is applied generically to several types of minute flying insects that hover in bunches.

What attracts them is moisture, specifically fungus. They are not really after you (except for no see ‘ums and midges, which are actually tiny biting flies), they are just hovering over the moist places.

marinelife (62485

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