Do you have a gnat problem in your house? The truth is, no matter how clean you keep your house those annoying little gnats will somehow find their way into your kitchen and possibly even your bathroom. Here are a few simple tips on how to get rid of them.
If the gnat problem is in your kitchen, be sure to thoroughly clean the areas of the kitchen that don't get daily attention, such as, kick plates, under appliances, like the microwave, toaster, coffee maker, etc., your garbage can, maybe even under your refrigerator and stove, and any other inconspicuous place where the gnats could possibly be laying their eggs.
If you have children or pets in the home, you may want to forego using a bug spray or bug bomb to get rid of them completely, so instead you could make a homemade trap. First, fill a small bowl or jar with a little apple cider vinegar or a few chunks of a banana, place plastic wrap on top of the bowl or jar and secure it with a rubber band, then poke several small holes in the plastic wrap and let the trap sit somewhere in your kitchen out of your way, but in an area where the gnats will be sure to find it. Be sure to empty the bowl outside and make a fresh trap every few days so the newly laid eggs won't hatch in your house. Keep doing this until all the gnats are gone.
If for some reason you'd prefer not to make a homemade trap, there are always the flytraps and bug sprays made especially for eliminating small flies and gnats. However, these methods could be hazardous to your health, as well as the health of any children or pets you may have in the home.
If you think the gnats may be coming up from your sink drains, you could either pour about a ¼ to a ½ a cup of ammonia down your sink drains and let it sit for a few hours before running water down the drains, or pour about 2 tablespoons of cooking oil down all your sink drains at night to prevent the gnats from breeding. The oil floats on the top of the water and prevents the gnats from hatching. Hopefully these tips I've given you will help to rid your house of those pesky little gnats.
If the gnat problem is in your kitchen, be sure to thoroughly clean the areas of the kitchen that don't get daily attention, such as, kick plates, under appliances, like the microwave, toaster, coffee maker, etc., your garbage can, maybe even under your refrigerator and stove, and any other inconspicuous place where the gnats could possibly be laying their eggs.
If you have children or pets in the home, you may want to forego using a bug spray or bug bomb to get rid of them completely, so instead you could make a homemade trap. First, fill a small bowl or jar with a little apple cider vinegar or a few chunks of a banana, place plastic wrap on top of the bowl or jar and secure it with a rubber band, then poke several small holes in the plastic wrap and let the trap sit somewhere in your kitchen out of your way, but in an area where the gnats will be sure to find it. Be sure to empty the bowl outside and make a fresh trap every few days so the newly laid eggs won't hatch in your house. Keep doing this until all the gnats are gone.
If for some reason you'd prefer not to make a homemade trap, there are always the flytraps and bug sprays made especially for eliminating small flies and gnats. However, these methods could be hazardous to your health, as well as the health of any children or pets you may have in the home.
If you think the gnats may be coming up from your sink drains, you could either pour about a ¼ to a ½ a cup of ammonia down your sink drains and let it sit for a few hours before running water down the drains, or pour about 2 tablespoons of cooking oil down all your sink drains at night to prevent the gnats from breeding. The oil floats on the top of the water and prevents the gnats from hatching. Hopefully these tips I've given you will help to rid your house of those pesky little gnats.
- Be sure to thoroughly clean the areas of the kitchen that don't get daily attention.
- Try to avoid using harsh bug sprays and chemicals.
- Make a homemade trap to get rid of the gnats.
Comments
Erika
(Guest)
(Guest)
12/31/2008
Looking forward to trying these new tips...my garbage disposal was broke for 2 months before landlord sent anyone to fix it...now i have thousands! of gnats in my house. they all seem to like hanging out in my bathroom and in my bedroom closet....also in living room and laundry room. i've tried bleach down the drains and even leaving the bleach bottle open, but the gnats eventually hung out on the bleach bottle...not too sure bleach works after all. i also heard lemon-scented candles work but have yet to try!!
Emily
(Guest)
(Guest)
12/29/2008
Great article on how to get rid of gnats, however, you mentioned that you should not use bug spray because it could be harmful to pets and children. There are a few green friendly sprays, such as EcoSMART. The other ways to trap or kill the bugs were neat ideas, but if you're a renter, your landlord probably won't be happy with you pouring ammonia down the drain. Also, would you really want to waste food in the state the economy is? That may not be a lot to some people, but to consumers such as college students, wasting is not a option. As said before, a green friendly bug spray would do the trick. Again, good article and different ideas!
mbowdy
(Guest)
(Guest)
06/24/2008
I have the same problem.
I have a ferret that I give fruit to & have water dishes for her & the 2 cats in the house. My sister told me to use lavender oil. They hate that nice smell. I put it on my cat & got rid of his fleas too. And put some on cotton balls all over the house. And wiped it around the edge of the food & water dishes & pured it down the drains too.
It is 100% all natural & safe for all pets & people. The gnats only like things that are wet and/or rotten. That put off a vinegar smell. So vinegar wont work.
Good luck!
Help "Tee'
(Guest)
(Guest)
03/29/2008
Please HELP gnats outside in area of run off water from neighbors, near my door. Talk with neighbors who seem not to see a sign of this, we can't come in or got the door without fighting gnats. PLEASE HELP! What can I do to get rid of the gnats; not the neighbors? (SMILE)
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