Gnats are little flying insects that include fungus gnats, fruit flies, and drain flies, amongst other types of flying insects. Among the several types of flies, fungus gnats are black and have lengthy legs, while fruit flies are brown and spherical. Drain flies have moth-like wings and are drawn to standing water. Because gnats reproduce rapidly, controlling an infestation as soon as possible is critical to ensuring successful treatment.
Gnats are a nuisance that may be difficult to manage and avoid. In this article, we explain where they originate from, present five efficient strategies to treat and prevent a gnat infestation, and propose the finest pest control firms for dealing with these insects.
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What Causes a Gnat Infestation to Begin?
The majority of the time, gnats will enter your home from the outside via cracks or gaps in your home's foundation, walls, windows, and doors. Garbage cans, rotting fruit, and other damp areas where organic matter is degrading are common breeding grounds for gnats. They may also be seen around drains, toilets, and other plumbing fixtures.
Five Ways How to Get Rid of Gnats in the Kitchen
There are a variety of methods for getting rid of gnats, with five of the more efficient methods mentioned here. If you have a serious gnat infestation, it may be necessary to use more than one of the procedures listed above to completely eliminate the bugs.
1. Make an apple cider vinegar trap
To make the solution, combine a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a few drops of dish soap and a tablespoon of sugar in a mixing bowl and whisk well. Place your bowl in a place where gnats are likely to be present, such as your kitchen or bathroom. When gnats are attracted to the sugar and apple cider vinegar mixture, they are trapped by the dish soap and finally drown because of the soap.
2. Make a fruit trap
Perforated plastic wrap may be used to protect a jar of decaying fruit from the elements. The gnats will enter the jar and get entrapped inside of it.
3. Pour diluted bleach down the sink or tub drain
You should pour one cup of weak bleach down the drains if you detect gnats near your kitchen sink or bathtub. This will destroy the gnats.
4. Construct a candle trap
Place a candle in a candlestick and partly fill the candle holder with water to create a zen-like atmosphere. Toss a candle into the room and turn out the lights. A large number of gnats will rush to the flame and be burnt, or they will fall into the water and drown.
5. Hire a professional pest control company
If you have a persistent gnat infestation, a professional pest control firm may assist you in getting rid of it. The top pest control firms have extensive experience in treating gnat larvae and adult gnats, and they will design a treatment strategy that is specific to your property.
Best Pest Control Companies
Working with a professional pest control specialist to handle their gnat infestation may save homeowners time and aggravation in the long run. The This Old House Reviews Team conducted an extensive evaluation of every major pest control business in the market and determined that Terminix, Orkin, and Aptive give the finest service in the industry.
In addition to implementing a specific treatment strategy for your house, each of these organizations will educate you on how to avoid a repeat infestation. To compare and get a free estimate from the finest pest control providers, please see the table below:
Gnat Infestations and How to Prevent Them
There are certain precautions you may take to avoid a repeat infestation of gnats after you have treated your current infestation.
- Clear away leftover food and beverages after meals—Don't leave leftover food or beverages on the table after meals, and wipe up any food or drink spillages immediately after they occur.
- Take out your garbage every night and store it in a tightly sealed trash can—gnats are drawn to objects in the trash and are frequently attracted to sealed trash cans. The use of a sealed trash can and taking out your garbage on a nightly basis will reduce the likelihood of gnats infiltrating your house and congregating around your waste.
- Reduce the frequency with which you water your plants—Only water your indoor plants when they are really essential. If you overwater your plants, gnats may take advantage of the dampness and egg-laying opportunities.
- Keep fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator—Because gnats are drawn to the fragrance of fruits and vegetables, putting fruit out on your countertops might attract them. Instead than leaving your fruit out on the counter, put it in the refrigerator.
- Remove moisture from both inside and outside your home—Homeowners should fix plumbing leaks and sink stoppages, as well as remove water that has accumulated in rain gutters and bird baths.
