Unusual Solution Wards Off Gnats

The annoyance of gnats is forcing many people to try unusual remedies.

(NewsUSA) - When major storms hit the Midwest United States in 2008, local residents had to deal with not only soaking rains and extreme flooding, but also the major nuisance of swarming gnats and pesky bugs. Prolonged moisture and humidity and the increase in pools of standing water created a gnat infestation. The bugs swarmed anyone who dared to leave their homes, causing itchy, painful bites.

People were willing to try any remedy to keep the gnats away -- and W.F. Young, Inc., the marketers of Absorbine Jr. Pain Relieving Liquid, began hearing from people who thought the product had properties that helped keep gnats from swarming and biting.

A representative of the company stated that they were taken by surprise, but delighted that Absorbine Jr. was able to bring comfort to customers.

"We noticed an increase in the number of inquiries to our customer service department regarding Absorbine Jr. and its ability to help with gnats," said Robert J. Wallace, vice president of sales and marketing at W.F. Young, Inc. "We do not market or make any claims that Absorbine Jr. helps in this way, but it became a word-of-mouth phenomenon. We also heard from our retailers that they couldn't keep the product on their shelves."

The scent of Absorbine Jr. is well known to loyal users, and it appears that the unique scent, derived from a combination of natural menthol, absinthium oil and wormwood oil, along with other herbal ingredients, helps drive pesky gnats away.

While no one can predict the long-range weather, the company is ready for the possibility of another difficult, wet year for many parts of the country. "We have increased our production of Absorbine Jr. to prepare for any deluge that might occur. People now know that they can depend on Absorbine Jr. to be there to help them not only with their muscle aches and pains, but those pain-in-the-neck gnats," said Wallace.