Gnat Trap

Gnats may refer to more than one variety of insects. The type which we will be discussing here are also known as fruit flies. These types are harmless, and therefore, there does not arise any health concern. However, they are perhaps the most annoying flying pests for any household. Also known as vinegar flies, these creatures can be commonly found to invade areas abundant with fruits, saturated house plants, and other rotten and smelly food or plants. Common attractions for these pesky pests include tomatoes, potatoes, melons, ripened banana, etc.

These insects are known to thrive for a period of ten days. And this period is enough for a full-blown infestation and breeding. The main breeding ground for them is their food source.

How to Make A Gnat Trap?

Do Away With the Cause First
Before you try your hands on the different ways to get rid of fruit flies, the very first thing to do is to cut down the supply of free food you have been providing to these unwelcome guests in your house. This would mean that fruits and vegetables have to go in the refrigerator, and in case they have got rotten, in an air-tight bin. Never leave a ripened fruit uneaten. Either refrigerate it or dispose it. You may not be aware, but there can be about thousands of gnats which can breed in a single rotten potato. Ripened bananas are one of the easy attractions for these flying pests. So either have them in breakfast or dispose them. Keep your soda cans, cider cans or beer cans cleaned or dispose them in a well-sealed plastic bag.

Fitting the kitchen windows with tight-fitting screens also help in preventing the insects from entering the rooms. Also ensure that your house plants have proper drainage system and are not over-watered. Even these serve as ideal grounds for the insects to survive and thrive.

Use Vinegar
Starting off with one of the most effective homemade gnat traps, it is vinegar which most people have benefited from. Although white vinegar works fairly well, it is the apple cider one which is the most effective. All you have to do is fill a jar with the vinegar. Now using a paper funnel, cover the mouth of the jar and place it where the gnats are more frequent. This trap works by attracting the insects inside the jar, eventually trapping them inside. Now it is your choice to destroy the flies or release them outdoors.

Another trap can be made by mixing some dishwashing detergent to white vinegar. Stir it slowly and add some water to it. Once the aroma of the vinegar starts spreading, the flies would come flying to the mixture and would be trapped in the liquid.

Here is another homemade gnat trap that you can make good use of. Fill a shallow bowl with some apple cider vinegar and give a tight cover to the bowl using a plastic wrap. Ensure that you have covered the bowl properly and that there are no openings left at the edges. Now using a tooth-pick or something, make some holes into the covering. Once the sweet smell of the solution lures the flies into the bowl, they would find it difficult to make an exit.

Use Sugar
Another bait that works to attract gnats is a mixture of milk, and sugar. Simply pour this mixture in a shallow dish and plant it at a place frequented by the insects. Once the insects get attracted to the mixture, they would get trapped in the liquid and die.

Use the Heat
An oven is an ideal weapon if in case you are in a mood to carry out some gnat massacre. Place any ripe fruit (over ripened banana works best) in the oven and leave the door open. After a couple of hours you may find the flies having a grand fiesta on the fruit. Now close the door and turn the oven to about 200 degree Celsius. The heat would burn the life out of the pests! Always remember to get your oven thoroughly cleaned after this act.

It may be quite bothersome to make all such traps every time you have to deal with a gnat infestation. So the best way out is prevention. All you have to do is avoid ripened food stuffs to be left unrefrigerated and keep a proper maintenance of the drainage system in your house. To put in a few words, just follow proper hygiene and keep your surroundings litter free and clean.