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If you've ever had gnats, you know for a fact that they aren't fun to have around. What starts out as a small infestation often grows beyond control until you don't even feel comfortable in your own kitchen, bathroom or backyard. If you need to know how to get rid of gnats, read on for some tips and tricks that will set you on the path to a gnat-free home in no time.
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Tips for Getting Rid of Gnats
- Stop them before they start.
- Keep sink areas clean and dish-free.
- Keep a tight lid on garbage.
- Use a vinegar trap.
- You may need to use a chemical fogger.
- Keep dampness down both inside and outside.
- Use sodium bulbs outdoors to minimize attraction.
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Introduction
- At first glance, gnats may seem virtually harmless, but anyone who has ever had them in their home is likely to agree that they are perhaps one of the most annoying insects out there. Wise Geek: How Can I Get Rid of Gnats? They can be dangerous to new seedlings or young houseplants, and some of them have even been known to bite.
- If you're tired of batting the swarm, it's time to take your home back. Read on to discover how you can get rid of pesky gnats once and for all.
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Step 1: Stop Gnats Before They Start!
- One of the easiest ways to get rid of gnats is to stop them before they even get started. OnlineTips.org: How to Get Rid of Gnats While that might sound easier said than done, there are a few precautions you can take to make sure gnats don't start to take over your home.
- Use a fine weave fiberglass screen over doors and windows to keep them from slipping in. eHow: How to Get Rid of Gnats
- Regularly wash dishes and keep sinks clean. Monster Guide: How to Get Rid of Gnats
- Store fruit in the refrigerator rather than in the open. Wise Geek: How Can I Get Rid of Gnats?
- Make sure garbage cans have a tight lid. Monster Guide: How to Get Rid of Gnats
It Ends With Your Plants
- Since a lot of gnat problems start around house plants, here are some tips to stop them before they even hatch:
- Avoid over-watering plants. Allow plants at least two weeks between waterings to dry out any soil that may be infected with larvae. eHow: How to Get Rid of Indoor Gnats
- Remove dead or rotting leaves from plants. iVillage: Get Rid of Gnats
- Be selective when choosing new house plants, avoiding any that might have gnat damage. eHow: How to Get Rid of Indoor Gnats
- Isolate new house plants for at least two weeks to make sure they haven't been infested with gnats. eHow: How to Get Rid of Indoor Gnats
- Try replacing at least 1/4 of an inch of topsoil with sand. American Chronicle: Tips to Get Rid of Gnats (June 6, 2008)
- Protect outdoor garden areas that are particularly moist with a non-toxic spray. eHow: How to Get Rid of Gnats
Step 2: Non-Toxic Strategies
- When dealing with infestations, many people don't want to go extreme and bomb or fog their house unless absolutely necessary. There are a number of non-toxic recipes you can mix together and use to battle gnat infestations.
- Try placing a small dish of wine or apple cider vinegar near plants to trap gnats. eHow: How to Get Rid of Indoor Gnats
- You may be able to attract and trap them with sweet, sticky beverages like colas. OnlineTips.org: How to Get Rid of Gnats
- Blend baking soda and apple cider vinegar in a dish (mix it together slowly to avoid a foamy mess) and set it in an infested area. Monster Guide: How to Get Rid of Gnats
- Mix dish detergent with vinegar in a shallow dish, and place in infested area. Monster Guide: How to Get Rid of Gnats
- Coat the outside of your dish drain with oil. Oil-coated gnats won't be able to breed. Wise Geek: How Can I Get Rid of Gnats?
- Double Whammy Tip: Tack a roll of fly paper above the your vinegar or wine mixture, and you'll catch them by the hundreds! Wise Geek: How Can I Get Rid of Gnats?
The Vinegar Bottle Trick
- This trap can be used with just about all of the remedies listed above.
- Fill a mason jar or bottle three-quarters of the way with vinegar. I Love India: How to Get Rid of Gnats
- Poke small holes in the lid. I Love India: How to Get Rid of Gnats
- Place the bottle near a breeding area. I Love India: How to Get Rid of Gnats
- The gnats can crawl into the bottle, but aren't able to get out again so they drown. I Love India: How to Get Rid of Gnats
Step 3: Bringing in the Big Guns
- If your infestation is really bad and none of the eco-friendly tips above proved helpful, you may need to use harsher chemicals to get rid of your pests.
- Pour ammonia down your drains and garbage disposal before going to bed. Doing this at night ensures no one will be using the sink for a few hours. American Chronicle: Tips to Get Rid of Gnats (June 6, 2008)
- A mild chemical option is an insecticidal soap spray. Monster Guide: How to Get Rid of Gnats
- Any brand of flying insect insecticide will work on gnats. American Chronicle: Tips to Get Rid of Gnats (June 6, 2008)
- Gnat foggers offer a temporary solution to your gnat problem. They kill gnats in the general area, but don't prevent them from coming back. How to Get Rid of Things: How to Get Rid of Gnats
- If using a fogger, read all precautionary instructions first. Be sure to relocate pets to a safe place while fogging.
- If you do have to bring in the big guns, make sure you go back to the source of the infestation and practice prevention so they don't come back.
Step 4: Battling Gnats Outdoors
- During damper times of the year, and especially just after planting a new garden, gnats can be a real outdoor pain. Here are some things you can do to keep the buzzing beasts at bay while you're outdoors enjoying yourself:
- Empty out stagnant fountains and bird baths. eHow: How to Get Rid of Gnats
- Keep gutters cleaned out. eHow: How to Get Rid of Gnats
- Make sure garbage cans are tightly lidded. Monster Guide: How to Get Rid of Gnats
- If you compost, keep the compost pile a reasonable distance from the house and any recreation areas.
- Rake and mulch as needed to aerate damp ground under the surface. OnlineTips.org: How to Get Rid of Gnats
- Don't over-water garden areas or plants around the house. eHow: How to Get Rid of Gnats
- Replace any outdoor incandescent lights with sodium light bulbs to cut down on the attraction. OnlineTips.org: How to Get Rid of Gnats
- Try an insect repellent with DEET.
- DEET is a common chemical ingredient found in insect repellents that are meant to applied to the skin. Wikipedia: DEET
- For a more natural repellent, try citronella. eHow: How to Get Rid of Gnats
- Spray a party or picnic area with a cedar-based solution six to twelve hours beforehand. eHow: How to Get Rid of Gnats
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