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Gnats have a life cycle of 18 to 30 days, but they reproduce quickly and the infestation will last indefinitely until it’s handled. All of these species, along with the others that are less likely to infest indoor locations, are spread across the globe. No region in the world is immune to these annoying little bugs. If, however, gnats have gathered in a room and it's windy outdoors, opening up windows to create a breeze indoors will discourage them from hanging about.
Are Gnats Attracted to Light?
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.
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Bug Zappers
Pouring one cup of baking soda down your drain, followed by one cup of white vinegar, can help clean a kitchen sink drain and flush out the gnats along with it. What's more, it deodorizes your sink, so gnats are less likely to be drawn to your pipework. Be sure to cover the plug with a damp cloth so the vinegar-soda reaction works its way downwards through your pipes and doesn't flow over into the sink. Moist organic matter is gnat larva paradise, and that’s where they want to lay their eggs. It’s also where they’ll emerge from as adults, and the egg and larval stages are very short.
DIY a Vinegar Trap.
Gnats are drawn to things that smell sweet and fruity, so if you use a lot of hygiene and beauty products with fruit scents, the gnats might well be drawn to you. If you already have a gnat problem, you definitely don’t want to make it worse by using these types of products. Furthermore, the following should be done to prevent house gnats. USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "How to get rid of fruit flies?" to "Are cockroaches dangerous?" − we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day.
How to Get Rid of Gnats
Some gnats lay their eggs in soil, where the larvae can damage plant roots. Treatments and solutions for how to get rid of gnats vs. fruit flies can vary, so it’s important to identify your pest properly. To get rid of drain flies or drain gnats, simply pour drain cleaner down the drain. Using the manufacturer’s instructions, pour some of the cleaner down the drain slowly to kill flying gnats and the larvae. Be sure to wear a mask, gloves and eye protection as drain cleaner can be particularly noxious stuff. Luckily, there are some things you can do to help get rid of gnats quickly to prevent a future infestation.
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There are a few other simple tips you can use to control gnats in your home. One of them involves mixing sugar, water, dish soap, and apple cider vinegar in a bowl to attract and kill the flies. Drain flies are a type of fly typically found in places with stagnant water like drains, sewers, and septic tanks.
If you get bitten by a gnat, wash the area thoroughly with soap and water. Anti-itch cream and ice packs can help reduce itching and swelling. Pour wine that’s past its prime into a small dish; add a couple of drops of dish soap. Gnats will flock to the “open bar” and get stuck in the mire.
Natural Pest Management
Zack is a Nature & Wildlife specialist based in Upstate, NY, and is the founder of his Tree Journey and Pest Pointers brands. He has a vast experience with nature while living and growing up on 50+ acres of fields, woodlands, and a freshwater bass pond. Zack has encountered many pest situations over the years and has spent his time maintaining and planting over 35 species of trees since his youth with his family on their property.
If you're experiencing an abundance of gnats in your house, several factors could be contributing to the problem. Gnats are attracted to warm, moist environments and breed in damp areas, so reduce or eliminate areas where water collects in your yard and house. Gnats are very small insects that fly around in the early mornings and evenings. The female gnats can bite humans, causing an itchy, red bump. Gnats are attracted to moisture and can be found almost anywhere but are primarily found in wet areas.
Make sure there’s proper ventilation in the room when you do this and for an hour afterward. For best results, also scrub infested drain pipes with a wire brush and enzymatic cleanser. From hanging ribbons and cards to sticky stands specifically designed for potted plants, sticky traps are an easy way to catch a cluster of gnats. You'll just have to keep an eye on it and replace the trap once it's full. Even without baking soda, vinegar and drain cleaner, you can pour boiling hot water into the sink to kill their eggs. This will also help get rid of any excess food and bacteria build-up.
Then, slowly pour the diluted mixture down the drain to kill any gnats and potential larvae. Alternatively, you can use a commercial drain cleaner to produce the same results. Gnats are attracted to damp spots to lay eggs, particularly affecting houseplants since they like to lay eggs in moist soil. A gnat infestation can damage some houseplants, causing wilting, loss of leaves, and leaf yellowing. If you have interior house plants and think you have fungus gnats but aren't sure, yellow sticky traps can be placed in your plant pots near the base of the plant.
Fungus gnats are those that love your houseplants; in large numbers, they can damage plants' roots and growth. Fruit flies are attracted to rotten fruit but love any sweet liquids, such as vinegar and red wine. Drain flies can be found buzzing around your home's drains, while midges are more likely to gather around standing water, such as your backyard's water features.
Female fungus gnats lay their eggs in potting soil or other types of moist organic debris. The larvae are about a quarter of an inch long and have a dark head. The larvae are the biggest problem for people because they can feed on plant roots if their preferred food of algae and fungus runs out. 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.
Although house gnats are harmless, they can be really annoying, since they fly all over the place. Because house gnats constitute such a nuisance, you should know how to prevent their infestation or eradicate them quickly. They typically have slender, brown or black bodies and thrive where there’s moisture. They also prefer sand or sandy soil, meaning states like California and Florida can be particularly prone to gnats.
Gnats typically come out in the summer, but potted plants in a warm house can be quite cozy for gnats, thus annoying you all year long. Fungus from mold or mildew in your home can also be a contributing factor. Although less common, fungus gnats can also be found in drains. Drains are moist areas that, over time, grow organic matter.
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