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Wet soil is more susceptible to fungus and root rot, which becomes a breeding ground for gnats. Gnats typically come inside from open or cracked windows and doors and reproduce in moist areas near your home. You can then begin placing traps around the affected area and removing any items the gnats are attracted to, like rotten fruit or garbage. Gnats are any of several species of small flies that swarm in great numbers. Kyle Morgan, owner of Care Pest Pros in Spicewood, Texas, says the bugs are mainly a problem outdoors in spring and summer, but they’ll hang out indoors all year round. Not only are these “clouds” of gnats generally annoying, some species also bite humans and pets.
They're coming for you: How to fight gnats with home remedies (and other tips) - The News Star
They're coming for you: How to fight gnats with home remedies (and other tips).
Posted: Wed, 09 May 2018 07:00:00 GMT [source]
How to Get Rid of Flies in the House
You will notice them flying around your house plants because they are likely using their soil for egg-laying habitat. Wipe down countertops, thoroughly clean sinks, and drains, and mop the floor regularly. A little extra attention every day to adding extra shine to your kitchen will help prevent any problems to start with. Another example of integrated pest management happens in the garden soil. While the spray is made with essential oils, it’s still wise to move any food before spraying the insects.
How long does a gnat infestation last?
You may have unknowingly brought home a plant from a garden center that was infested with gnats—or brought freshly picked produce infested with gnats indoors. If you regularly use your sink’s garbage disposal then you could have old rotted food built up in there. If left there for too long, gnats will be attracted to it and show up by the hundreds. A gnat infestation can last as long as the weather is warm and food and moisture are available. Generally, gnats die in cold temperatures and thrive when temperatures are between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s possible for gnats to continue to live indoors in off-seasons if they find a warm and wet place to thrive.
Try Aerosol Sprays
The gnats will be attracted to the sugar and vinegar and will get trapped by the dish soap and drown, Schutter says. Take the right measures and you can do plenty to prevent an infestation of gnats in your home. Although fungus gnats and drain flies aren’t thought to be harmful to human health, that doesn’t mean they don’t cause a nuisance plus who wants them buzzing around? Fruit flies, meanwhile, can transfer germs compromising kitchen hygiene. Know the attractions and you can avoid or lessen the problem. The reason why a home can be infested is the speed with which gnats breed.
What are the signs of a gnat infestation?
Experts recommend trying natural remedies first to remove gnats from your house plants. Natural remedies are eco-friendly and pose no health risks to humans or pets. However, it may be time to turn to chemical options if you try a few natural solutions and still have a gnat problem.
How to Prevent Gnats in Your Home
Place a bowl containing this solution in an area where you’ve seen gnats. They will be lured in by the fruity-sugary mixture, and the sticky dish soap will trap them. Morgan says he uses a mason jar for his cider vinegar traps. Gnats are attracted to salt and moisture, but more specifically to produce, fresh flowers, houseplants, spilled food, and overflowing garbage cans.
How to Prevent Gnats
Simply sprinkle about a half cup of baking soda into the opening of the garbage disposal then pour about a cup of white vinegar in and let sit for 10 minutes. If you’re suspicious of this area and want to be sure if it is a problem, simply cover and secure the garbage disposal drain with a piece of plastic overnight. For future planning, consider using smaller bags for any food waste, and then tightly seal the bag before adding to your trash can. A tightly sealed lid will also help, but cannot be relied on to keep gnats out of your trash. An example of this might be farmers installing swallow nests on fence posts.
Pour Boiling Water Down the Drain.
Then simply place the container wherever fruit flies are seen. About two weeks after the eggs hatch, the larvae will become adult gnats and live for about a week. If you don’t break the cycle, you will have generations of gnats in your home within weeks. In addition, once you find them on your food, you are more likely to throw the contaminated food away and thus are wasting money in the process.
Encourage them out by opening (and closing) windows
That’s why they mostly live in soil; it’s the best place they’ll find rotting and decaying leaves. Somehow, moisture manages to be the source of most contaminants in our houses, such as roaches, mold, and worms. There are also a number of home remedies you can try -- including a mixture of apple cider vinegar, dish soap and some sugar. In Arizona, the duration of a gnat infestation can vary depending on the species of gnat, environmental conditions and the effectiveness of control measures. Aerosol sprays with pyrethrins are very effective at killing adult gnats, Schutter says. Thankfully, you can get rid of gnats, but you might wonder why you have gnats in the house in the first place?
Be careful with how much water you’re giving your plants, and make sure the soil drains well. Gnats are bothersome, common household pests that are drawn to damp areas and rotting food. To keep them out of your home, remove anything that attracts gnats such as rotting fruit, poor quality potting soil, dirty dishes, and festering trash.
For example, fill a cup with apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and a few drops of dish soap and cover the cup with clear plastic wrap. Poke a few holes in the plastic with a pen and leave it in the affected area. Placing several traps in different locations is the most effective way to get rid of gnats. There are several species of gnats, and some of them can bite. Biting gnats feed on blood, while non-biting gnats feed on plants.
Gnats are primarily attracted to sweet and fruity scents, but many species of gnats are also drawn to water and body heat. Perspiration and even the moisture of your eyes and nose can draw in gnats. Fruits, vegetables and flowers growing in your garden or food residue in your sink can attract these pests. Knowing how to get rid of gnats completely will likely require multiple treatments and preventative measures. To help repel gnats from your houseplants, mix a tablespoon of lemon-scented dish soap with 2 liters of water and mix thoroughly. With a spray bottle, liberally coat your plants and the top layer of soil with the solution.
Some gnats lay their eggs in soil, where the larvae can damage plant roots. Fruit flies are drawn to overripe fruit, so even if your fruit isn’t rotting it can attract gnats. Fungus gnats love moist potting soil and drain gnats love moist drains. To keep gnats out of your home, you need to make it a place that gnats don’t want to be. Take away moisture, food, and shelter and it’ll be hard for gnats to thrive. Be sure to leave your sink and kitchen area free of food that can attract gnats.
Similar to the fruit fly, they will silently enter your home through any crack in search of suitable habitat to lay their eggs. To clean the inside of your trash can, use a mixture of hot water and dish soap with a strong scrubber, such as the Non-Scratch, Super Long-Lasting Scrubbing Pad. These are multi-purpose and come with a “No-Nonsense Lifetime Satisfaction Guarantee”. Here is another reason to be supporting your local organic farmers as often as you can. With smaller food scale production, more integrated pest management methods can be employed to combat pests.
These products kill gnats with an electric charge when they fly into the device. Bug zappers are an excellent way to deter biting gnats in your yard but will not fully eliminate their population, only reduce it. Also, you shouldn’t install a product that’s meant to be used outdoors inside your home. Fortunately, minor to moderate gnat infestations can often be exterminated with simple DIY methods and thorough cleaning.
Get rid of old leaves or flowers that they’ll feed on as well. While they are irritating, do bear in mind, however, that the gnats won’t damage the plants themselves, although they can damage plant cuttings if you’re cultivating new ones. However, a rule of thumb the insects often follow is access to food, moisture and protection, states Orkin's website. This usually comes by way of decaying organic material, such as trash or soil.
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