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Similar to how gnats are attracted to the extra moisture on your plants, moisture anywhere else will also be an issue. This is why Ryan recommends making use of one of the best dehumidifiers which will effortlessly control the humidity in any room you're struggling with gnats. You might have found yourself asking how often you should water your houseplants or even why your plant is growing mould on its soil. Well, overwatering can cause a lot of problems for your plants and attracting gnats is one of them. Gnats are one of the few pests that can also be treated quickly by using home remedies.
How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies In Your House - TODAY
How To Get Rid Of Fruit Flies In Your House.
Posted: Wed, 21 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Signs of a Gnat Infestation
But if you use a multiphase plan of attack, you should be able to spare not only your produce and plants, but any headaches as well. Here's everything you need to know about how to get rid of gnats and fruit flies if you have an infestation. The easiest first step is to allow the soil to remain dry for several days before watering again.
How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies and Gnats in Your House
First, it's essential to identify the specific pest in your home. Noticing small, irritating insects on or around your houseplants? Fungus gnats are attracted to moist soil, making them a common pesky problem for plant owners. Fortunately, there are a lot of techniques you can use to get rid of the gnats naturally without using chemicals. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to get rid of fungus gnats, including home remedies and commercial products.
8 Insects That May Be The Small Black Flying Bugs in Your House (That Aren’t Fruit Flies)
Although this method works best at night, never leave a burning candle unattended, especially while you sleep. Fortunately, minor to moderate gnat infestations can often be exterminated with simple DIY methods and thorough cleaning. However, if you have a severe gnat infestation, it may take more than one of these methods to eradicate the pests. Once indoors, gnats often infest trash cans, rotten fruit, and other moist places where decomposing organic matter exists. They can also be found near sinks, drains, and toilets, since they can reproduce in the grime inside pipes.
Although they look like tiny mosquitoes, fungus gnats are small flies of the Orfelia and Bradysia species. They can be identified by their narrow legs, light gray or clear wings, and segmented antennae larger than their heads. If you notice these gnats flitting about and your plants seem to wilt for no reason, larval root damage could be the cause. Overripe fruits, veggies, decaying food matter and moisture in drains are all culprits. Price recommends placing a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, a few drops of dish soap, and a tablespoon of sugar in a bowl and then stirring the contents. "Set your bowl in an area where gnats are prevalent, like your kitchen or bathroom," he says.
Once gnats go in for a drink, the sticky dish soap will trap them. Simply place the bowl in the areas where you've noticed a swarm of gnats. Gnats thrive on the fungus of your plants, so it helps to let your plant babies dry out between waterings. Once the soil dries out, you'll notice the death of not only the fungus, but the gnat larvae and eggs too.
Gnats vs. Other Common Pests
If none of these solutions seem to be working and the gnats keep returning, it may be time to call in a professional. A pest control company can help you tackle a serious or persistent infestation. If you have houseplants, ensure they are not being overwatered, as this creates a year-round breeding and feeding source inside your home for gnats and other pests.
Use boiling water
Leftover food will attract gnats and create all kinds of unwanted smells in your kitchen. On the same note, throw out your garbage, and until you do, make sure it stays in a sealed container. The same goes for any compost bins you might have — don’t leave them open throughout the day.
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats
It is highly unlikely that gnats will ever go away on their own if they find somewhere to live. You should act to get rid of gnats as soon as you spot one or two lingering around your home to avoid them multiplying rapidly. Check for entry points and trap and kill any offenders in your home before it becomes an infestation. To use peppermint oil to get rid of gnats, spray the essential oil around your garden, windows, and doors to deter pests from approaching your property. This method is best paired with other preventative measures or removal methods to make sure your gnat problem is taken care of in its entirety.
Gretchen Heber is a writer, marketer, and entrepreneur based in Texas. Your garbage can, particularly in the kitchen, should have a lid that seals tight when not in use. The trash, along with any indoor compost, should be taken out regularly.
The gnats will be attracted to the sugar and vinegar, but the dish soap will coat their wings making them unable to fly away. Make your own natural version by combining a cup of water with a tablespoon each of vinegar and baking soda, adding in a drop of dish soap. Shake the mixture in a spray bottle, and spray where gnats seem to congregate in your house. The solution is even safe to use (sparingly) around houseplants. Mix a solution of half a cup of warm water, two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon of sugar, and about six drops of liquid dish soap into a small bowl.
Be sure to implement the following habits on a regular basis to keep gnats at bay. While it’s usually possible to relocate honeybees, some situations make it difficult. You may not be able to cut into a wall of a historical building, preventing access for the beekeeper. Given that lush yards and flower beds will attract bees, you can’t banish bees off your property without making it unpleasant for yourself, too. “They are part of our world, and most of the time, we can cohabitate very nicely,” Frank said. A general exterminator will have a problem applying pesticides to all the layers of the honeycomb that make up the very complex hive.
If you’ve exhausted your options and still have a gnat infestation, it’s time to call in the pros. Sticky traps are a simple and cost-effective way to get rid of adult gnats. Gnats are attracted to the color yellow, and the traps entice them, where they get stuck to the adhesive. Schutter recommends cutting the sticky traps into squares and taping them to sticks (chopsticks, pencils, skewers, etc.).
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