How to Cure a Gnat Infestation in Your Home
Gnats are annoying tiny flying insects that can multiply quickly. Although a typical gnat lives only 10 days, that is enough time for a female to lay more than 200 eggs. These eggs quickly hatch, which can cause a small gnat infestation to turn into a large one in a matter of days. All of the potential areas the gnats can feed and breed must be found and fixed if any extermination plan is to succeed. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Place any house plants attracting gnats in the sunlight to allow them to dry out. Gnats often feed on the algae, fungus and decaying plant matter in potted plants. Gnats also lay their eggs in the damp soil of house plants.
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Place sticky traps in areas that the gnats occupy. The traps, which can be hung from thumbtacks, are designed to attract and catch the gnats and prevent them from laying eggs.
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Clean sink drains with an antibacterial cleaner so the gnats have nothing to feed on in the pipes. They will also seek out garbage. Cleaning the drains and not allowing garbage to pile up will minimize the places the gnats can feed and lay eggs.
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Store fruit and vegetables in your refrigerator. Gnats are drawn to these items. Gnats may develop around a banana in a matter of days.
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Fill a glass with cider vinegar and stir a few drops of dish soap into it. The cider vinegar will attract gnats to the glass, and those that touch the dish soap will become to heavy to escape the glass. Put out a new glass each day if the gnat infestation continues.
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Tips & Warnings
Insecticides and foggers should be a last resort. You may need to use anti-flying insect sprays extensively to combat gnats, and foggers will only kill the adult gnats. It won't stop the next wave coming from the hidden eggs.
