Numerous bug zappers are available for indoor and outdoor use, many of which were tested in our tested guide to the best bug zappers. Choose one that’s maybe a bit smaller and less obtrusive than others, and pick one that is suitable for indoor use, like our top indoor pick from Aspectek. 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. Once you’ve successfully eradicated the gnats that have been bothering you, it's time to focus on prevention.
Gnats vs. Other Common Pests
Place 1 to 2 inches of sand on top of the soil to discourage standing water and deter gnats from laying eggs. Gnats breed in damp areas, so check for places where water may be collecting, such as around leaky pipes or overwatered outdoor plants. Overwatered houseplants are a common attractant for gnats, so allowing the soil to dry out between watering can help.
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Pest Library
When we’re talking ‘gnats’, we’re using the everyday name for some different small winged insects. The gnats that you’ll find inside your home are likely to actually be fruit flies, or fungus gnats, or drain flies (aka phorid flies). Getting rid of fruit flies, getting rid of fungus gnats, and getting rid of gnats in plants are all possible, but why are they there? Remember that traps and zappers only kill adult gnats, not eggs and larvae. Thus, if you have a lingering gnat infestation, a professional pest control company can help address it.
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Signs of a Gnat Infestation
Amanda Rose Newton is a pest specialist and horticulture expert, reviewing pest control and gardening content for The Spruce's Cleaning and Gardening Review Board. Her passion for pest control and sustainable gardening allows her to review plant and pest content for best practices and accuracy. She is a board-certified entomologist and volunteers for USAIDs Farmer to Farmer program. She is a professor of Horticulture, an Education Specialist, and a pest specialist.
Factors that Contribute to a Gnat Infestation
'They normally feed on decaying organic material, but when found in our homes, they are a real nuisance. To prevent and control this species of fly, do not overwater your plants. You can easily monitor for the presence of these pests with yellow sticky traps. There are simple water level indicators or monitors that can be bought from garden centers to ensure that plants are not over or underwatered. You could see drain flies, fruit flies, biting gnats, midges, or mosquitoes, all of which can be mistaken for gnats. When it comes to household gnats, the infestation is typically due to a source of organic material they're drawn to.
WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. We also share helpful tips and guides on a variety of topics related to animals and nature. If you're bedeviled by other pests, we've also get tips on how to get rid of mosquitoes, how to get rid of moths as well as how to get rid of ants and how to get rid of fleas. Here's a primer on gnats and what to know about their breeding habits. It’s no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house renovator.
How to get rid of gnats in plants
Phorid flies live for approximately eight to 14 days, with some completing their entire life cycle in just eight days. Fungus gnats can also spread pythium, which is a plant pathogen that causes damping off, a condition that can rot the roots of seedlings, making them die. They can get in your face, nip at your skin, and annoy livestock. There are many species of gnats, and though they all look similar, they may have very different habits.
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Please consult a pest control professional before applying any tactics from pestpointers.com. If you’re in need of an exterminator or wildlife professional, you can learn more about our nationwide network of pest control professionals. Take a look at my guide on Pest Proofing Your Home In Under a Day!
Fungus Gnat Larvae
Once their population has increased and gotten into your houseplants, their feeding habits can cause yellowing and stunted plant growth. Try these expert tips to get rid of gnats and fruit flies quickly. Fruit flies are so small they can pass through ordinary screening used to keep other flies away. They are common in houses, especially kitchens, restaurants, and other food-handling sites, attracted to ripening or fermenting fruit, other fly droppings, and uncooked food.
They have two hooks in their mouth that are used to bite and chew. For some species, they larvae overwinter, finishing their life cycle in the spring. Morgan says if you’ve exhausted all the home remedies and just can’t eradicate the gnats, it might be time to call in the pros.
If you don't attend to these unhealthy substances, they may affect your health. It doesn't take much for a gnat to get into a home, especially since they are so small. According to Teminix's website, gaps near windows and doors, holes in screens or any opening can be an entry point for a gnat to fly in. If you get bitten, you may have a small welt at the site and some itching that can be intense.
Sometimes, though, you can find them around nearby windows, as they are attracted to light. Biting gnats are also found around plants because their main food source (except when females are producing eggs) is sap and plant nectar. For fruit flies, try a similar method to lure and trap them.
A trained professional can come to the rescue if a few flying gnats turn into a full-blown infestation. Pros can assess your individual situation and provide necessary assistance for removal. Drain flies, meanwhile, might fly out of a kitchen or bathroom sink when disturbed since they are – you guessed it – attracted to the environment of the drain. Thankfully, you can get rid of gnats, but you might wonder why you have gnats in the house in the first place? After all, if you know that, it should be easier to keep these tiny and very unwelcome flies away. When gnat eggs hatch, they produce larvae, which look like worms and don't have heads, wings, eyes, or a visible head.
While gnats are not considered dangerous, their presence can be a nuisance in the household. You don’t want water leaking into your house for many reasons. Regardless of how minor the leak is, if you see one, don’t put off fixing it, says Fredricks.
If you’re in a real battle with fungus gnats, using DE can help with the egg and larval stages of the fungus gnat’s life cycle. Similar to the fruit fly, they will silently enter your home through any crack in search of suitable habitat to lay their eggs. To clean the inside of your trash can, use a mixture of hot water and dish soap with a strong scrubber, such as the Non-Scratch, Super Long-Lasting Scrubbing Pad.
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