Gnat Control

Though these creatures are not extremely harmful or dangerous, but you all would agree with the fact that gnats are one of the most irritating and annoying flies that can ever exist. Also known as midges, fruit flies or punkies, gnats are one such flies that are present all around us 24X7, buzzing in our ears, sitting on our nose or eyes, biting us all the time! Thus, controlling gnats becomes extremely important in order to save yourself.

The gnats usually are found in warm and moist surroundings, hovering around rotting organic matter, as this makes the perfect atmosphere for them to lay their eggs. When it comes to household, gnats can be found around the sink drain, over watered houseplants, garbage cans, leftover decayed food and fruit baskets. All these spots within the house are the ones that give these gnats enough warmth and moisture to lay their eggs. The larvae of these gnats feed on the roots of plants and cause a lot of damage to them as well.

Home Remedies for Gnat Control

Gnat control becomes highly important considering the fact that they multiply themselves within no time! This is one of the main reasons that makes it a difficult thing to do. Mentioned below are some natural remedies that will eliminate these creatures from your premises.

The Vinegar Trap
Vinegar is known to be very useful solution when it comes to attracting gnats. All you need to do is fill a bottle with apple cider vinegar and pierce some fine holes into the lid of the bottle. Place it at the spot where gnats are found the most in your house, preferably an uninterrupted corner. The gnats will enter the bottle easily due to the vinegar and will drown in the vinegar. The ones remaining won't be able to find the way out due to the fine holes on the lid.

The Ammonia Trap
As mentioned earlier, gnats are commonly found around the sink drainage. If that is the case in your house, then this trap is perfect for you. All you need to do is to pour ½ cup of ammonia into the sink drain and not use the tap for at least the next 2 hrs. Ammonia is very useful in eliminating these creatures right from their breeding ground.

The Banana Trap
You must have noticed gnats in your house, especially near bananas! You can use this opportunity to trap them and then get rid of them. All you need to do is take an overripe banana, mash it and place it in a wide bowl. Next you will have to cover the bowl with a plastic sheet and fix it with a rubber band in such a way that it's tight and firm. Make fine holes on the plastic sheet. This will enable the gnats to enter the bowl but not escape!

Some Other Remedies for Gnat Control

Apart from the natural home remedies mentioned above, listed below are some other remedies to get rid of gnats outside as well as inside the house.

Sodium Lights
If you want to get rid of gnats, you can replace the usual bulbs to both high and low pressure sodium lights. The orange light produced by these bulbs are very effective in controlling these creatures, especially in the patio or outside the house.

DEET Repellents
DEET repellents are another good option. Any repellent that consists of DEET will definitely help you get rid of gnats from your premises.

Finer Window Screen
Some species of gnats that includes fruit flies, are so small that even closed window screens are not enough to stop them from entering your house. Installing a finer window screen, especially in the kitchen or places where they are found most, would be helpful in stopping them from entering your house.

Regulate the Watering of Plants
This is extremely important as gnats dwell and breed in water clogged areas. Make sure that the plants or the pots are not over watered. Also try your best to keep away the decomposing materials from the potted plants.

Fly Paper
Fly paper is another way of getting rid of gnats. These are equally effective in trapping gnats as they are in trapping flies.

Apart from following these methods, you must also make sure that there is enough cleanliness in the house. Small things like keeping the sink area clean, avoid keeping unclean dishes in the skin for a long time, storing fruits properly in the refrigerator, etc., can contribute a lot in controlling gnat infestation.