Gnats are frustrating to live with. They swarm in kitchens around fruit and in plants.
Many people may think that a gnat refers to a singular type of bug, but that's not true. The term "gnat" is used to describe several species of small flying insects. The types of gnats that are most familiar to people are fruit flies, fungus gnats and drain flies (also called phorid flies). Some gnats bite, but the kinds of gnats usually found around houses don't bite people. Fortunately, gnat infestations can be managed. Here are some helpful tips on what to do to get rid of gnats and keep them from coming back.
Homemade gnat traps. Before going out and purchasing pest control products, it's possible to make a gnat trap at home. Get a few small jars, some apple cider vinegar and liquid dish soap. Pour four tablespoons of the apple cider vinegar into the jar and mix in a little bit of dish soap. Keep the lids off and place the jars in places where the gnats are congregating. They will be attracted to the concoction by the apple cider vinegar and fly right into it, but the dish soap will keep them from getting out. Leave these jars out for a few days and let it effortlessly gather gnats.
Remove food sources. Gnats, particularly fruit flies, are attracted to food. They feed on fruits, vegetables, honey, vinegar, flowers and more. Fruity and sweet scents are of particular interest to them. To keep gnats out of the home, remove or cover foods that attract them. Don't leave produce out in the open. Immediately throw out any fruit or vegetables that are rotten or overripe. Wash the dishes right away or put them away in the dishwasher because food left in the sink will attract gnats. Keep your sink, counters and tables clean. Drains should be cleaned regularly to keep the smell from attracting gnats. Clean up spills right after they occur.
Dry damp spots in the house. Fungus gnats in particular love damp spots. Their larvae live in moisture-rich areas and feed off the fungus that grows there. Homes should be kept clean and dry. One common moist area fungus gnats gather around are potted plants. This is particularly true if the plants have been over watered. Don't over water your plants and take a few precautions to keep gnats away. Rake the soil to make it dry faster. Make sure the plants are draining well, and don't forget to regularly remove and dry the moisture from trays under the plants. Consider getting rid of a plant that is attracting too many gnats.
Seal doors and windows. Don't inadvertently let gnats get into the house by forgetting to tend to windows and doors. Most gnats are very small and can squeeze under doors and through gaps around the windows. Openings around utility lines are also an easy access point for gnats. Consider using caulk to seal the windows in the house. Apply it around the frame and over any cracks where gnats might sneak in. For doors, consider installing a steel or aluminum threshold and adding a door sweep for extra protection. Check for other areas where gnats might be able to find their way in and seal up those as well.
Keep garbage covered. Throwing away overripe fruits and vegetables is an important step, but if gnats have access to the garbage, a gnat infestation is still possible. Trash cans â especially the kitchen trash â are perfect feeding grounds for gnats. Not only do they have remnants of food in them, but they can also be full of moisture. Be sure to cover the garbage and take it out regularly. When throwing out food, try to do it in a covered, outdoor trash barrel to keep the gnats from congregating in the house. Clean the trash barrel itself after the trash has been taken to the dump. This will take care of any residue that is still attracting these tiny insects.