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Fungus gnats are dark brown with long legs and wings in a Y-shaped pattern. Even though they have wings, fungus gnats are weak fliers and tend to hop around more than fly. These pests are often attracted to houseplants and decaying organic matter like rotting produce. If you have a gnat problem, you may have noticed them swarming around your house plants.
Fungus gnats buzzing about your potted plants? Zap them with tips from a UK entomologist - Lexington Herald Leader
Fungus gnats buzzing about your potted plants? Zap them with tips from a UK entomologist.
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More Ways to Prevent Gnats
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Gnats may also live in sink drains where food residue can collect. Dirty kitchen sink drains can provide food, water, shelter and breeding sites to many fly species. Treatments and solutions for how to get rid of gnats vs. fruit flies can vary, so it’s important to identify your pest properly. Both are attracted to decaying or decomposing organic matter, though fruit flies are more likely to be hovering around your fruit bowl, while gnats prefer potted plants.
Gnats vs. Other Common Pests
Overripe fruits and vegetables can attract gnats, so keep your kitchen clean and trash properly disposed of. These tiny flying insects are a nuisance, hovering around faces and swarming in large numbers. If things get really bad, you may find yourself in need of a more serious bug killer. Insecticide is one option, though we caution against using it if you have small children around (and as always, you'll want to be sure you're following manufacturer directions). This Hot Shot Kitchen Bug Killer is one option that specifically targets gnats, in addition to several other household pests.
Hydrogen Peroxide to Kill Fungus Gnat Bugs in Houseplant Soil
To discourage them, keep your trash cans tightly closed, and bag all trash thoroughly so no gnats or fruit flies will find a way to them. While these tiny insects are not harmful, they can become a huge nuisance. What’s more, if you don't know how to get rid of gnats, swarms can quickly take over your home, infesting trash cans, plants or decomposing foods. It doesn’t help that gnats breed frequently, so they will always come back if not dealt with immediately. Even without baking soda, vinegar and drain cleaner, you can pour boiling hot water into the sink to kill their eggs.
We’ll also give our recommendations for the top pest control companies in case DIY methods prove insufficient. The wet soil of indoor pots can create a breeding ground for gnats. So, take it easy on watering them or look into low-maintenance plants that require small amounts of water to thrive. Gnats breed on decaying, organic matter and moisture, so you'll need to assess the source of them.
Signs of a Gnat Infestation
They can also lay their eggs in sink drains, garbage disposals, empty bottles and cans, garbage bags, and even damp mops and sponges. You can eliminate gnats, their eggs and larvae by using pyrethrin sprays. Pyrethrins are natural organic compounds with insecticidal activity.
Symptoms of a gnat bite may include itching, discomfort and localized swelling. Another method for drain flies is to pour a cup of bleach down the drain. Like the drain cleaner, pour slowly to ensure the bleach has time to kill all the gnats and larvae. Also, make sure there aren’t any other chemicals in the drain to prevent creating harmful fumes. Protect yourself and your lungs properly, then dilute one-half cup of bleach with about one gallon of water and pour it down the affected drain. Apparently, gnats and fruit flies alike hate camomile tea, so watering house plants with cooled tea from the night before is a great way to keep them at bay also.
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Instead, lay the clothing out as best you can outside and sprinkle it with salt to kill the maggots. Once you wipe off the residue, put the clothing in a washing machine at a high temperature to kill any remaining bugs or bacteria before drying thoroughly. Whether you're dealing with gnats or one of the many pests mistaken for them, you can prevent an ongoing issue by focusing on sanitation. Once the pest's food source or breeding site is cleaned up (or never allowed to linger in the first place), the issue should be resolved.
What Are the Signs that You Have a Gnat Infestation?
Native to South Africa, this type of sundew is super easy to grow and perfect to kill gnats. It's a carnivorous plant whose sticky leaves wrap around gnats as well as small houseflies, midges and mosquitos... The above should solve a lot of your gnat issues so next you need to follow and stick to the more preventative measures. Staying on top of general house plant care will help stop reoccurrences and one of the big ones to watch out for is overwatering your house plants in the first instance.
It uses geraniol and lemongrass oil, which are bio-insecticides that don't need to be registered with the EPA, to kill gnats on contact. Though safe around people and pets, don't allow the spray to come into contact with eyes or skin, and the flammable liquid should never be used near electrical wiring. Using cinnamon in soil is also said to get rid of gnats in the house. These pests are frequently referred to as gnats, even though they don't look much like them up close.
Fungus gnats love water, so it's important to monitor your watering. "Often times overwatering provides a perfect environment for pests and diseases," says Royer. "Many houseplants prefer to have a break between watering." If you notice fungus gnats buzzing around your plants, consider adjusting your watering schedule. The most obvious sign that your houseplants are infested with fungus gnats is the appearance of adult gnats. "As the larvae feed on the roots of your plants, they reduce the amount of nutrients that the plant is able to uptake into its foliage," says Royer.
So, make sure the AC is working properly in the summer, check for any leaks throughout the house, and add a dehumidifier to any rooms that tend to get damp. Learn how to easily eliminate and prevent these persistent pests. “It is best to utilize pasteurized or heat-treated soils whenever possible to ensure flies and fungus are not present in the new growing medium,” offered Sansig.
If the gnats are infesting your houseplants, you can either purchase a mild insecticidal spray or make one yourself. Fill an empty spray bottle with lukewarm water and mix in a few drops of mild dish soap. Spritz this lightly on gnat-infested plants, but be sure to come back two to three hours later to thoroughly rinse the leaves. Note that commercially-available sprays designed for houseplants are less likely to damage the plants than homemade sprays, even with mild dish soap. If pests are hovering around the sink drain, grab a bottle of bleach and mix a half cup of it with a full gallon of water.
Add a few pieces of overripe fruit to a large bowl, then cover with plastic wrap and secure with a rubber band. Soon, gnats and fruit flies will flock to the fruit, making their way in through the tiny holes—but they won't know how to find their way out. If you’ve exhausted your options and still have a gnat infestation, it’s time to call in the pros. Experts recommend trying natural remedies first to remove gnats from your house plants. Natural remedies are eco-friendly and pose no health risks to humans or pets.
There's really no solution more trustworthy—or oddly satisfying—than fly paper, which simply catches flying bugs on its sticky surface. You can either hang "ribbon fly paper" from areas in your home that get a lot of gnat traffic or try window fly paper, which will cover an entire window in an adhesive sheet. Clear your plants and soil of decaying leaves, flowers, or organic matter. Remove dead flowers, leaves, or other plant parts from your plants.
There are simple water level indicators or monitors that can be bought from garden centers to ensure that plants are not over or underwatered. Before killing gnats, the first thing to do is make sure that they are, in fact, gnats. There are many different types of itty-bitty flying insects, and each requires a slightly different elimination tactic. You may actually find yourself needing to know how to get rid of fruit flies or how to get rid of drain flies instead. If you know what to look for, it's easy to distinguish between bugs.
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