The Midwest Prepares to 'Tackle Gnats' with an Unlikely Weapon

EAST LONGMEADOW, Mass., May 8, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As the weather continues to improve, Midwesterners will spend more time outdoors gardening, camping, and fishing. Unfortunately, that also means more time fighting pesky gnats, which plague the Midwest and Plains states each spring due to the damp conditions. Many outdoors enthusiasts are already flocking to stores for bug repellent to fight back. Instead of the usual remedies, some have discovered a particularly effective way to tackle gnats with a secret weapon: Absorbine Jr.®

Surprisingly, Absorbine Jr., a topical pain reliever used in more homes than any other liquid pain reliever -- and sometimes even used to alleviate the discomfort associated with bug bites -- has become popular for an altogether different purpose.

"Last year, 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 at W. F. Young, Inc. "We don't make any claims that Absorbine Jr. helps in this way, but it really has become a word-of-mouth phenomenon."

The combination of several of the ingredients in Absorbine Jr., such as natural menthol, absinthium oil, wormwood oil, and other herbal ingredients, gives the product a unique scent that gnats apparently do not find appealing.

Now that the secret is out of the bag, Absorbine Jr. has been in high demand all across the Midwest. In response, W. F. Young has dramatically increased production of the product to help ensure its availability to customers when needed. Absorbine Jr. is available at all major drugstores, including Walgreens, CVS, RiteAid, and HyVee.

About W. F. Young
Founded in 1982 by Wilbur Fenelon Young and his wife, Mary Ida, W. F. Young, Inc. has manufactured and distributed quality health care products for more than a century. The company is recognized as a worldwide leader in innovative, specialized health care brands that enhance the quality and enjoyment of life for families and their pets.

SOURCE W. F. Young