There are few insects that are as annoying as gnats. Fortunately, you can deal with the annoyance quite easily. If gnats usually roam near sinks and drains, brush off any debris that clings to the pipes where they lay their eggs. Traps can reduce the adult fly population and help you keep tabs on how severe the spread and disturbance is. It is important that you eliminate the gnat's food sources. Therefore, store food in covered containers, wipe up spilled drinks, and make sure the trash can is closed and clean. With a little persistence, you can turn your home into a fly-free area.
Home Improvement
When it comes to dealing with gnats at home, you may already have the following equipment at home:
- If you have wire brush or product enzymatic sewer cleaner, you can prevent the breeding of gnats in the drain.
- If you have apple cider vinegar and glass jar, you can make a gnat trap.
- If you have Red grape and liquid soap at home, you can make a trap out of grapes.
- If mild soap or dishwashing soap available, you can make insecticidal sprays for plants.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Handling Gnats in Sinks and Sewers
Step 1. Brush the inside of the drain pipe to remove organic debris
Dirt that builds up inside the drain pipe is a perfect place for gnats to breed. Use a wire brush or pipe cleaner to remove any stubborn dirt or organic residue.
- After brushing the pipe, heat the water to almost boiling, then pour hot water into the drain to wash away any dirt that has been scraped off the inner wall of the pipe.
- Bleach, ammonia, vinegar, and other cleaning products can't get rid of any remaining dirt stuck to the drainpipe.
Step 2. Clean the drain with an enzymatic foam cleaning product
If you can't reach the drain pipe with a wire brush, there are foam products designed to break up dirt or organic residue. Look for products labeled “enzymatic in their name or description at a hardware store. Pour the product directly into the duct according to the directions on the package label, then let sit overnight.
- After the product has cooled, pour hot (not boiling) water down the drain.
- Foam products work better than liquid cleaning products.
- If you have any doubts about pouring chemicals down your drain, there are non-toxic enzymatic drain cleaners that are safe for the environment.
Step 3. Clean the drain with hot water every night to prevent mucus buildup
Pour hot water down the drain as the best way to keep the pipes clean. Apart from enzymatic cleaning products, it's a good idea not to pour other chemical products down the drain.
- Bleach, ammonia, vinegar, and other household products can wear away pipes, especially old cast iron pipes.
- In addition, cleaning products can react with other chemicals adhering to the pipes. Hazardous reactions may produce toxic fumes or pressure strong enough to destroy pipes.
- Do not pour insecticide down pipes as harsh insecticide products can have a negative impact on the environment.
Method 2 of 4: Making a Gnat Trap
Step 1. Trap the gnats using a jar filled with vinegar
Find an old can or jar and fill it halfway with apple cider vinegar. Add a drop of dish soap to the vinegar to break the tension on the surface of the liquid that helps prevent gnats from escaping. Place the jar in a place where gnats frequent, such as the kitchen or dining room.
- After filling the can or jar, you can put the lid back on and make small holes with nails or screws. With these holes, gnats that are not submerged in the vinegar solution cannot escape.
- You can also cut a 2-liter plastic bottle in half, and pour vinegar into the bottom half. Place the top half of the bottle upside down (the nozzle or mouth of the bottle is pointing down). When finished, the bottle should look like a chimney. The gnat will seek out and follow the smell of vinegar into the trap, but have a hard time escaping through the narrow opening of the bottle.
- If apple cider vinegar is not available, you can use any vinegar. Some other effective baits are beer or mashed bananas.
Step 2. Try making a wine and soap trap
Pour the red wine into the cup until it is half full, then add a drop of dish soap. Place the cup on a table or kitchen counter to attract the attention of annoying gnats.
If you're planning to invite friends over for drinks, prepare an extra cup of red wine that's been added with dish soap to keep gnats away from guests' glasses. Make sure you mark the glass that holds the dish soap so guests don't get confused
Step 3. Combine traps with other handling methods
Traps help you keep an eye on nuisance and reduce the adult gnat population in your home. However, when used alone, the traps are not effective enough to deal with interference or gnat attacks.
To eradicate gnats completely, you need to stop all stages of their life cycle. The trap only kills the adult gnat and has no impact on the gnat eggs or larvae
Method 3 of 4: Preventing Gnats Intrusion or Attacks
Step 1. Remove food sources that attract gnats
Clean the kitchen and dining area regularly, wipe up spilled drinks immediately, and clean used pots, plates, and cutlery. Store fruit (especially ripe fruit) in the refrigerator.
- Always store food in airtight containers in a closed cupboard or refrigerator.
- Watch for and clean up unexpected spills or leftovers, such as cider in the refrigerator or onions that have been stored too long in the back of the pantry. Undetected food or drink leftovers can attract the attention of thousands of gnats.
Step 2. Close the bag or trash can
Make sure all trash cans are always closed, including trash cans outside the house. Periodically check for spills or food residue adhering to the outer walls of the trash can, and remove any debris using a mild bleach solution.
- Don't keep plastic full of trash in the house overnight.
- It's a good idea to clean empty bottles and cans before throwing them in the trash.
Step 3. Check for holes, crevices, and cracks in doors and windows
Repair any cracks in the window screen and seal the gaps in the door and window sills using caulk or glue. Don't just leave screened doors and windows open. Pay attention to the ventilation holes and ducts on the outside of the house, and cover them with putty or soft gauze.
Some gnats are small enough to fit through the screen, so it's a good idea to keep the window closed, even after being protected by the screen
Step 4. Reduce damp areas in the house
Gnats thrive and live in damp areas, so look for damp corners in the kitchen, bathroom, and other areas of the house. Clean the area with a mild bleach solution or household cleaning product, then dry with a clean cloth. Store towels and wet clothes in a covered basket, and wash soiled mops thoroughly before hanging them up to dry.
- Check the bottom of the kitchen sink or bathroom sink and fix any leaks.
- Open the curtains so that sunlight can enter the house. Sunlight helps prevent humidity in the house.
- You can also use a humidity monitor and dehumidifier to keep the humidity level in your home below 50%.
Method 4 of 4: Keeping Moss Away from Plants
Step 1. Allow the soil to dry before you water the plants indoors
Soil that is constantly moist can attract a variety of pests (including gnats) and promote fungal growth. You shouldn't let the plant wilt or turn yellow, but try not to water the plant right away until the soil is completely dry.
- To test it, dip your finger 2.5-5 centimeters into the soil. If the soil is sticking to your fingers, it's a good idea not to water the plant right away, unless the plant looks wilted.
- It's a good idea to use a container with drainage holes at the bottom. If the pot is placed on a tray or cup to collect residual water, make sure you remove the excess water after watering the plant.
Step 2. Remove beneficial nematodes on the soil
Nematodes are small worms that feed on the larvae of gnats, fleas, and other pests. You can buy nematodes from garden supply stores. Look for products that are manufactured to control gnats and contain the nematode species Steinernema feltiae.
- Usually, you can mix the beneficial nematodes with water and then add the mixture to the soil. Check the product label for more specific instructions.
- This type of nematode is safe for humans, plants and pets. Therefore, you do not need to feel disgusted or worried about the harmful effects on health.
Step 3. Make your own gnat spray using a mild liquid soap and water
Mix a teaspoon (or less) of hand soap or dish soap with 470 ml of warm water. Put the mixture in a spray bottle, then spray the mixture on the plant's leaves. After 2-3 hours, rinse the leaves thoroughly with clean water.
- You can also buy insecticidal soap for plants from garden supply stores, although they are more expensive.
- Using a homemade soap spray increases the risk of damage to the leaves. It's a good idea to test the mixture on a small area first before spraying the mixture all over the plant. As a hint, if the soap causes dry or irritated skin, it may also be too harsh on the plants.
Step 4. Move the plant to another pot if other methods don't work
If you can't keep the fly away from the plant, it's time to move it. Water the plant, remove it from the old pot, and shake the plant carefully to remove as much soil as possible from the roots.
- Fill the new pot with fresh soil up to the rim of the pot. Make a hole large enough in the center of the soil to hold the roots of the plant, insert the plant, and cover it again with soil.
- If the gnat nuisance persists after the plant is removed, you may need to treat it with a chemical product. Visit a garden supply store in your city and purchase a liquid insecticide that is safe for plants and designed for flying insects.
Tips
- There are a wide variety of annoying little fly species, from mushroom flies to fruit flies. In general, pest control strategies can be applied to any fly species.
- If the problem persists after you've shown your best, it's a good idea to contact a professional exterminator.
