(AP) _ Arkansas officials say eastern counties are struggling with the influx of buffalo gnats that are causing the deaths of livestock and deer.The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that the black flies began laying eggs following heavy winter rains. The gnats clustered around homes and on farms in flood plains as the eggs began hatching over the past couple of weeks.
Kelly Loftin is a state entomologist and professor with the University of Arkansas System Agriculture Division’s Cooperative Extension Service. He says this year’s eruption of gnats is much worse than usual.
Loftin says gnats lay eggs in late winter and spring that can remain viable for years, which means even more eggs could hatch next year.
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