Eye Gnats

Eye gnats are small, shiny black flies approximately 1/16 inch in size. They breed in organically rich soil and are normally found at very low numbers in many parts of San Diego County. To produce their eggs, eye gnats feed on the protein found in body secretions such as mucus from the eyes and nose. In large numbers, they can be an annoyance to both people and animals.

Eye gnats are often misidentified as:
Fruit Flies	Fungus Gnats
(photo courtesy of David Reyes)	(photo courtesy of Kim Fleming)

 NEW:

1. In response to the Board of Supervisor’s directive to develop a “tougher eye gnat strategy”, the Department of Environmental Health (DEH), in coordination with staff from Agriculture Weights and Measures (AWM) and UC Cooperative Extension – Farm and Home Advisor (FHA), will present its Report to the Board of Supervisors and the Community on Eye Gnat Intervention Options and a Recommended Plan to the Board of Supervisors on March 28, 2012. Board of Supervisors meetings start at 9:00 am in the Board Chamber (Room 321), 1600 Pacific Highway, San Diego. In addition DEH will share with the Board of Supervisors the 1,700+ letters it has received during the DEH comment period held from January 31, 2012 to February 10, 2012. Staff is not bringing forward an ordinance during the March meeting.

   During the comment period DEH received several comments asserting that the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) would apply to the adoption by the Board of Supervisors of the ordinance that DEH had planned to propose. DEH will undertake further environmental review (with appropriate opportunity for public comment) before returning to the Board of Supervisors with a proposed ordinance at a later date.

   Additional information will be forthcoming. Please check back to this website for more details.  If you would like to sign up to receive e-mail announcements on the eye gnat program please click on the link:  http://service.govdelivery.com/service/multi_subscribe.html?code=CASAND and subscribe to Eye Gnats, Countywide under Environmental Health.

2. Department of Environmental Health Report to the Board of Supervisors and the Community on Eye Gnat Intervention Options and a Recommended Program