Gnat Attack! Wipe out Disgusting Gnats with these 5 Easy Tips
There aren’t many things that are more annoying than a disgusting swarm of gnats, especially if they turn up in your home. Gnats can seem to come from nowhere this time of year, and they can be very difficult to get rid of.
If gnats have invaded your home and are swarming around your dinner table, help has arrived! These tips will help you put a stop to the infestation and make your home gnat-free and peaceful again.
Fungus Gnats
The first step in conquering a gnat infestation is figuring out which kind of gnat is pestering you. One common gnat is the fungus gnat, or black gnat.
Fungus gnats are small flies that are usually black with small black or brown heads and pointed hind ends (see photo above). They like to gather in windows. These flies feed on fungus.
If you have a fungus gnat infestation, here’s what you need to do to put a stop to to the problem:
- Check your Plants
The most common culprit in a black gnat infestation is overwatered houseplants. When you overwater your houseplants, fungus can grow on the soil and provide plenty of food for black gnats, as well as a good place for them to lay their eggs.
The gnats will not only pester you; they can also spread germs to your plants that can cause them to wither. Check all of your houseplants for fungus in their soil, and be careful not to overwater.
If you find fungus (mold) in the soil, transplant it into a fungus-free pot.
- Eliminate other Fungus
“Mold and mildew” are other words we use to talk about fungus in the home, and it can grow anyplace where there is moisture. Eliminating as much fungus as possible in your home is a good way to keep black gnats away, and is also good for your home’s atmosphere.
Use Wet & Forget Indoor to wipe out fungus around your home
Fruit Flies
Fruit flies are another tiny insect that can wreak havoc on your home. They are light brown, and tend to have fatter, more rounded bodies than fungus gnats (see photo above).
Fruit flies usually stay close to the kitchen, because they are attracted to old fruit.
- Throw away old Fruit
The first step for getting rid of fruit flies, of course, is to search your kitchen for any old fruit or vegetables and throw them out. Keeping your kitchen free of old fruit will also help prevent future fruit fly problems.
- Beat Pests with Vinegar
Fruit flies are attracted to vinegar, so you can catch fruit flies by placing small, open containers of vinegar in areas where you’ve seen the fruit flies gathering. The bugs will fly into the vinegar and drown.
This is a simple way to eliminate fruit flies without commercial pesticides. For quicker results, you can put a little vinegar in a spray bottle and spray the gnats (be careful not to get any vinegar in your eyes).
- Spray Gnats Away
For either fungus gnats or fruit flies, there are commercial products available that are specifically formulated for indoor use on flies and gnats. They are less potent than outdoor products, but it’s still very important to follow all instructions and be very careful when using these chemicals around the kitchen or dining area.
A good old-fashioned fly-swatter will also work, although it can be a bit frustrating with gnats. Your best bet is to use the tips above, and beat these little pests at their own game!
Use these 5 tips, and get rid of these pesky little bugs!
Photo courtesy of Nate Grigg
