Gnats are tiny, flying bugs that can be a nuisance and can be dangerous to humans and animals. They may enter your home through open doors and windows, or by flying in through air vents. Getting rid of these pests is important because they can carry a variety of diseases.
Even if you don’t have any health problems now gnats, will still cause an annoyance when their buzzing around your head while you’re trying to enjoy yourself on a hot summer day outside with friends. The good news is there are ways to get rid of them without using harsh chemicals.
What are some of the dangers of gnats?
Some of the dangers of gnats include the fact that they can carry diseases like tularemia, anthrax, leptospirosis, typhus, cholera and even the bubonic plague. They can also cause other problems like eye irritation, skin irritation, and respiratory problems.
Where do gnats come from?
Gnats usually come into homes through open doors or windows or through the air vent. They can also be brought in on plants, food produce, and other items that are brought into the house. The most common areas where you’ll find gnats are kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, laundry rooms, closets, basements and crawlspaces.
Getting rid of gnats
To get rid of gnats, it’s important to know where they are coming from – outdoors or indoors.
Outdoors
- You must remove any decaying organic matter such as fallen leaves and flowers outside your house.
- Check all over the outdoor area around your home for moist, dark places where they might breed like in compost piles or garbage cans.
- Make sure you clean all drains on a regular basis since these can also be breeding regions for gnats.
Indoors
The first step is to try some simple tips like closing all the windows and doors to your house, and then turning off all the lights. Gnats are attracted to light, so by doing this you will reduce the number that are able to enter your home.
Tips for keeping gnats away:
- Make sure there is no exposed soil indoors.
- Get rid of standing water on plants or at the base of pots.
- Make sure that there are no wet areas in your kitchen. If there are, be sure to wipe up moisture after doing dishes or cooking.
- Take out trash regularly
- Spray a little bit of vinegar around the areas where they seem to be congregating. Vinegar is a natural deterrent for gnats.
- Put some basil leaves in a bowl and set it on your kitchen table. The strong smell of the basil will also help keep the gnats away.
- Keep food packaging tightly closed since any spills should be cleaned immediately.
- Use insect repellent sprays.
If all else fails and you can’t seem to get rid of the gnats, call a professional pest control service to help you out.
Gnats can be a real pain – but with these tips, you can get rid of them for good!