Biting gnats or flies belong to the fly family that produce bites that are itchy, painful, and very annoying. This insect is really very annoying because of its small size and swarming in large numbers. Fortunately there are things that can be done to deal with it. You can set traps or spray chemical pesticides to kill the gnats that swarm around the house. Once you've got it under control, you can take more intensive measures to prevent gnats from entering your house and making them feel uncomfortable. In this way, the gnats will not come again for good.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Getting Rid of Gnats
Step 1. Set the CO. trap2 near the entrance of the house.
Set up the trap and fire it. The trap will start releasing CO. gas2 which will attract gnats and other insects that are nearby. When the position is close, the insect will be sucked in by the tiny suction nozzle which is very powerful. After that, the trapped insects will dehydrate and die.
- To function effectively, place the trap near the front door or another location where gnats frequently enter your home, such as a porch.
- You can buy CO. traps2 on the internet, hardware stores, or garden supply stores. However, this product is very expensive, which is around Rp. 4 million to Rp. 21 million.
Step 2. Spray any visible insects with a pesticide containing DEET or picaridin
If you come across gnats or their larvae, spray a strong pesticide to stop the tracks. Most pest control professionals agree that regular midges will not be effective against gnats. So, a better step than counteracting it is to do extermination.
- Hunting gnats may be a futile act because of their very small size. The body is transparent with a length of only about 2–5 mm. So, you should wait for it to appear and be ready to spray it.
- Pesticides are a good short-term solution because they kill adult flies. However, this is not a permanent solution if you are dealing with large gnat infestations.
Warning:
While pesticides can be useful for controlling invisible gnats, these products usually contain harmful chemicals, which are not good for your health.
Step 3. Trap the gnats with a trap made of a mixture of soap and vinegar
Put apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar in a small bowl, then add a few drops of liquid dish soap. Place the trap somewhere open. The gnats that fly nearby will be attracted to the vinegar, and will eventually fall under the slippery surface of the soap.
- Dish soap serves to reduce the tension on the surface of the liquid so that insects will not be able to escape if they fall into it.
- This method may give off a slight odor. You can reduce the resulting odor by placing the vinegar trap near an open, well-ventilated window.
Step 4. Call an extermination service if you encounter a large number of gnats
If the situation is severe, you may need to seek professional help. Depending on the severity of the problem, exterminators may set traps, spray high-strength pesticides, or even fumigate if they require more intensive measures.
The cost of hiring a pest extermination service is not cheap, but the results will be worth it because you will definitely feel calm and comfortable after the gnat infestation has been overcome
Method 2 of 2: Preventing the Arrival of Gnats
Step 1. Get rid of standing water around the house
Take a walk outdoors and look for places that might attract gnats. This could be an unused fountain, a bird bath, clogged gutters, and groundwater. If you find a place that has the potential to attract gnats, drain the water or fill it with a material that can drain water, such as gravel and sand.
- Don't forget to check household items (such as buckets or strollers) outside your home for standing water.
- Maybe you need to have large bodies of water such as ponds and drains that run so that the water can be discharged there.
Step 2. Install a smooth window screen to prevent gnats from passing through
Purchase insect repellent nets with smooth holes, and install them on the windows of the house. This insect repellent net has holes smaller than the size of a gnat.
- These nets can be purchased at hardware or hardware stores. This material is sold in varying degrees of hole fineness, from the smoothness of standard window holes to holes so fine that they repel gnats.
- Check the screen mesh regularly for holes or tears, and replace any damaged parts if necessary. Even a hole that you think is small is enough for a gnat to make an entrance.
Step 3. Lower the temperature and humidity by turning on the air conditioner
Set the thermostat to 18–21 °C or less and leave it on all day long. Gnats love warmth and humidity, so cold temperatures in the house won't attract gnats.
- If you can't keep the air conditioner on all the time (for example when it's cold), turn on the fan sitting or ceiling fan. This action can at least keep the air in the room cool.
- If you live in a very humid area, it's a good idea to purchase a dehumidifier.
Step 4. Turn off the patio lights at night to prevent the arrival of insects
Get into the habit of turning off all the lights outside the house when dusk arrives. Various types of insects (including gnats) will be attracted to the light source. Basically, the light will act as a tracking beacon, which draws the insect closer to it.
In addition to making you less visible to gnats, turning off the lights will also save you money on electricity bills
Tip:
If you don't want to turn off the light, you can also replace the bulb with a yellow "insect bulb" that is low on power, and doesn't produce a bright light.
Step 5. Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves
If you're planning to go somewhere where there's usually a lot of gnats, don't forget to wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. It's also a good idea to wear a hat to minimize bites in the face and head area if gnats attack.
Be sure to wear high socks and closed-toe shoes if you walk around puddles in gnat-infested areas
Step 6. Avoid wet and marshy areas, where gnats are common
One of the best methods for dealing with gnats is to avoid them. Do not approach places such as ponds, swamps, and places where there is standing water. Most likely there will be a lot of gnats swarming in that place.
