Gnats are common inside homes. They are attracted by moist areas, organic substances, and decomposing food. As such, if you have any composting bins or an open garbage source, chances of finding gnats are very high.
How to control gnats at home
If you cannot find any mouse or rat exterminators Manhattan, or even services that offer gnat management, fear not. You can follow some easy tips to manage the gnats in your homes.
- Do not to food sources:
Rotten fruit or other perishable substances are breeding grounds for gnats. Ensure the compost bin is taken out instead of leaving it inside. Gnats also often crave more ripe fruit, so keep all your fruits and vegetables inside a refrigerator.
- Wine traps:
If you have an old open bottle of red wine, use it to make a wine trap. Mix about half a cup of red wine with five to six drops of liquid soap. Pour into a small bowl or small vase and place it in the places gnats usually visit.
- Candle traps.
Gnats are attracted to light. As such, light a candle, and place the candle holder in a bowl full of water. Turn off the lights. You will find the gnats flying into the fire, where they will burn or drown.
- Clean your drains:
Gnat nuisances start in the bathroom or the kitchen sink. Try using a mixture of half a cup of bleach to a liter of water and pour it down the drain. Wear gloves to prevent the bleach from contacting your skin whenever you touch the solution.
- Invest in flypaper:
Flypaper attracts insects, which stick to them when they touch them. Flypaper may seem unattractive, but it works: Hang the flypaper next to the gnats, discard it and change it every few days until you see improvement.
How to eliminate gnats around houseplants
If the gnats are a nuisance to your houseplants, too, there are ways to remedy that.
- Cover the soil:
Cover the soil with very small or fine stones. Gnats prefer living organisms in the soil, not the plant itself, so covering wet soil with plants or aquarium gravel makes it difficult for them to incubate in a polluted environment. Be careful not to use large stones or pebbles, which may aggravate the problem.
- Remove dead or dead leaves:
Cut dead or dead leaves on your plant several times a week, especially leaves that sit on the ground, prone to rot due to moisture. Gnats love this type of rotting organism and will use the leaves as a food source if you do not remove them immediately.
- Reduce your watering frequency:
Adult gnats, the larvae, and the eggs need moisture to survive. Allow the soil’s surface to dry in the middle of irrigation, which will kill gnat larvae and not cause adult gnats. This method of gnat control is not the best choice for tropical indoor plants, which need constant moisture and humidity to survive.
Gnats are a nuisance that could cause harm to your houseplants or inside your home. If you cannot contact professional exterminators, you can always use these home remedies. You will find your home slowly becoming gnat-free.
