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Even if you can't see any signs of adult flies, the soil may still contain eggs, so wait between three weeks to a month to be certain. Keep your kitchen clean because gnats are attracted to food scraps. If you're experiencing an abundance of gnats in your house, several factors could be contributing to the problem. Gnats are attracted to warm, moist environments and breed in damp areas, so reduce or eliminate areas where water collects in your yard and house.
Yellow sticky traps
Gnats and small flies that appear inside homes are drawn to rotting organic matter, which they use for both a feeding and breeding site. You will want to address as many of these sources as you can to get rid of them. “Cleaning is the number one thing you can do to get rid of gnats,” says Morgan.
Reduce watering of indoor plants
Although gnats are difficult to control, a combination of store-bought treatments, DIY solutions and preventative actions can work in both your home and your garden. Whichever methods you choose, you can find the supplies you need to get rid of gnats using The Home Depot Mobile App. Search by voice or image and let our app find products for you. Find out how to get rid of gnats in house plants and other areas of your home. Whether they're plaguing your fruit bowl or congregating in a bathroom, you can kill and deter fungus gnats using vinegar, candles and more clever methods.
Preventing Fungus Gnats in Houseplants
Kyle Morgan, owner of Care Pest Pros in Spicewood, Texas, says the bugs are mainly a problem outdoors in spring and summer, but they’ll hang out indoors all year round. Not only are these “clouds” of gnats generally annoying, some species also bite humans and pets. Some gnats lay their eggs in soil, where the larvae can damage plant roots. Chances are you have a bottle of apple cider vinegar and some sugar sitting in your kitchen or pantry, and these two ingredients can help you get rid of gnats. Place a bowl near the infestation and fill it with vinegar before adding a teaspoon of plain sugar, which is what the gnats will be drawn to. The vinegar is what will ultimately kill them, but you also need a way to keep them in the bowl long enough for that to happen.
If all else fails, or you’re not interested in making a DIY solution, try placing a store-bought fly trap such as flypaper, cards, or ribbons near where gnats gather. Some of these products are even designed to sit in the soil alongside a potted plant to catch fungus gnats. Once the sticky side is sufficiently filled, toss it and add a new one.
Fill a pan with about ¼-inch of water and a bit of dish soap (about a teaspoon) and sit it on the counter. Place a candle holder in the water, and put a candle in the holder. The fastest way to get rid of gnats is to use a chemical spray or even hire a professional.
The good news is that there are multiple ways to eradicate gnats in and around your home. Unfortunately, gnats are a common pest for many homeowners and renters alike, and there are more types of gnats out there than you realize. If you spot one hanging around a potential plant purchase at the garden centre, do not bring it – or any of the plants near to it – home as there may already be eggs in the compost. Gnat infestations in Arizona can be attributed to various factors. Weather conditions play a significant role, as gnats thrive in warm, moist environments.
Mosquitoes and midges look similar and share a few commonalities. Both seek out standing water (where they lay their eggs), are known for swarming (especially at dusk), and are attracted to light. Mosquitoes are notorious for their blood-sucking proboscis and their bite. Midges are entirely harmless, have no sucking mouthparts, and are easily identified by their fluffy antennae. Found throughout North America, fungus gnats, part of the Mycetophila genus, are typically the culprits for indoor gnat issues.
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Sticky traps, which are available at most garden centers or online, are another effective way to get rid of fungus gnats. "Simply place the cards near your plants per the package’s instructions," says Royer. Gnats are attracted to warm, moist environments and are often found near overripe fruits and vegetables, damp soil and standing water.
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“We get called when homeowners can’t find the source of the bugs,” he says. Likewise, he says the source of the bugs might be unreachable, which could indicate it’s time to call in the pros. Read on to learn about several additional methods that will help you get rid of gnats indoors. Although they’re tiny, gnats can cause a great deal of annoyance inside your home. You may have noticed some floating around your fruit bowl or your favorite houseplant and wondered how they got there in the first place. To make a do-it-yourself sticky trap, spread a viscous or sticky substance, such as petroleum jelly, motor oil or honey, over the surface of a yellow index card.
Fruits, vegetables and flowers growing in your garden can also appeal to gnats. Harvesting produce regularly and clearing away overripe produce and organic waste can help keep the natural gnat population low. This promotes the growth of fungus that serves as the primary food source of certain gnat species. TikTok creator @brynleebruce shared that all you’ll need to pull it off is apple cider vinegar, Dawn dish soap and a spoonful of sugar.
Pour wine that’s past its prime into a small dish; add a couple of drops of dish soap. Your garbage can, particularly in the kitchen, should have a lid that seals tight when not in use. The trash, along with any indoor compost, should be taken out regularly.
First, it's essential to identify the specific pest in your home. Fungus gnats look more like mosquitos and can be found around plants, while drain flies usually hang around your drains or anywhere with stagnant water. Identifying the difference between fruit flies and fungus gnats is essential if you want to get rid of them. In comparison, fruit flies have a rounded body and look more like the common housefly. You will also notice that fungus gnats only tend to be around plants—flying around them or crawling over the soil or leaves. Fruit flies usually hover around rotten fruit or near garbage cans.
The best answer is to quarantine new plants or those that have been outdoors for extended periods. Keep the plants in their own room for at least 17 days (a full life cycle), and inspect the plant carefully for the presence of adult gnats. Once the plant has been cleared with no insect activity, you can move it in with your other plants. Now that you know how to get rid of gnats in your house, you can remove them and reduce your exposure to bacteria they can spread. Because The Maids® is the only residential service to clean for health specifically, we are committed to providing handy housekeeping guides to help keep your home clean and healthy.
A gnat infestation is often fungus gnats, but your unwelcome flying visitors could also be drain flies, fruit flies, biting gnats, midges, or mosquitoes. Start by covering or partially drying out compost bins and reducing the watering schedule for your indoor plants, as gnats often take up residence in overwatered soil. For an immediate resolution, set up homemade gnat traps or contact a local pest control company to thin out the adult population in your home. In addition to the traps, you need to address the issue of gnat eggs and larvae growing in your houseplant soil. There are several sources for gnats, but once you track that down, you will be on your way to a pest-free home.
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