A gnat in the kitchen is just an insect but can also be an indication of an unhygienic environment and wrong humidity levels. In this guide on how to get rid of gnats in your kitchen we will look at all you need to know about gnats, which species are causing the problems, and how to get rid of them. Furthermore, we will offer advice that can assist you in preventing the reappearance of gnat and living gnat-free in your kitchen.
WHAT ARE GNATS?
Gnats are small insects of the order Diptera, which subdivide into several families. While they are sometimes easily confused with fruit flies, gnats may vary in size and color. These are mostly drawn towards soil or damp conditions and decomposing substances; this is why their presence in the kitchen mostly is in harmony with a leakage or spillage problem.
Common Types of Gnats Found in Kitchens
It is important to know the type of gnat in your kitchen so as to eradication process to be effective. Here are the most common culprits:
Fruit Flies
Fruit flies are possibly among the most familiar gnats in the kitchen area that you can come across with. It is feed on ripened or fermenting fruits and vegetables for this reason they are usually found in these areas. This is because they are often small in by size and have a very high rate of reproduction so once they penetrate an area they are very difficult to eliminate.
Drain Flies
Moth flies, also referred to as drain flies, mainly live around drains, sewage systems, and other parts with moisture. Essentially they breed on the organic content that tends to accumulate in such regions which will definitely make your kitchen sink the optimal target.
Fungus Gnats
Natural occurrences of fungus gnat is around potted plants mostly located indoors. They are lovers of wet ground, which they visit to lay eggs. These gnats may be your primary issue if your kitchen or its vicinity contains a large number of houseplants.
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Why Do Gnats Invade Your Kitchen?
Gnats are drawn to your kitchen for two main reasons: food and a breeding ground.
Attracted by Food Sources
Gnats are usually associated with the food item and are most attracted to foods which are spoiling, rotten or fermenting. Fruits, vegetables, and even leftovers that are exposed to the normal environment will definitely become food to these small insects.
Favorable Breeding Conditions
Gnats are commonly found in kitchens since they can thrive in such areas. This is so because all the conditions that are favorable to their growth and multiplication are provided by such food, moisture, and warmth. This is why one has to deal with the issue as soon as they observe some of the signs of an infestation.
How to Get Rid of Gnats in Your Kitchen
Identify and Remove Breeding Sites
If you want to get rid of gnats, follow the instructions below: First, clean the kitchen area to eliminate breeding locations. It is common to find gnats hovering around fruits and vegetable that is either spoiled or in a very advanced state of decomposition. Look at your fruit basket, your kitchen cabinet, any area where food could be left all day. Throw out anything that has been infested or soiled with the intention of preventing the female gnats from laying eggs in them. More to that, if you have indoor plants, it is important not to have moist soil.
Fungus gnats are commonly found in the soil, it is advisable to reduce the amount of water given to the plants as this interferes with the breeding of the maggots. Also clean your drains, if you notice bad odour down the drain, clean it with vinegar and baking soda. Gnats like to lay their eggs on organic materials that are stuck in the sinks and garbage disposal so it is recommended to clean the drains with a cleaner or use a solution of baking soda and vinegar.
Clean and Sanitize you kitchen regularly
Proper sanitation is very important in the case of gnats and to completely wipe out of the pests from your home. Regularly first wash all the countertop surfaces, sweep the floor and any stain should be cleaned as soon as possible. Maintenance of kitchen surfaces will ensure that these gnats do not find a good place to lay their eggs or breed.
Also, how you dispose of your waste should be efficiently done and properly disposed of. Recycling should be encompassed in an enclosed dumpster to prevent the spread of bad smell while the garbage should be removed frequently. Make sure to wash the interior of the trash can also to rid the bin of any smells that might attract gnats.
Use Traps
Traps can also be used to supplement other techniques in minimizing the number of gnats found in your kitchen. For fruit flies, the most basic treatment you can make at home is apple cider vinegar trap. Pour vinegar in a small bowl and drop some dish soap on it, cover the bowl with a layer of plastic wrap and make holes on it. The vinegar works as a bait to draw the flies while dish soap reduces surface tension on the water so that the flies can sink when they land on it.
In the case of fungus gnats, they may be controlled with the help of yellow sticky traps. Maintain these traps around the impounded plants in order to control the adult gnats and reduce them. In the same way, for uruchs, get a bowl with soapy water and place it close to the drain. The flies will be drawn to the water thus get caught in the water making it an effective trap for them.
Natural Remedies
However, other nontoxic measures, using natural products can also prevent the gnats from developing interest in the food items. The specific oils that work well when trying to repel gnats are particularly effective because gnats do not like pungent smells. Some oils that can effectively be applied include eucalyptus, peppermint, or lemongrass oils; they can be placed in a diffuser or added to water and sprayed in the kitchen. Another tonic remedy is the combination of vinegar and baking soda. Both of these can be flushed down your drains to clear and disinfect surfaces that have attractant odors that gnats are attracted to.
Professional Help
However, if you realize that the population of the gnats has not reduced after considering all the pointers mentioned above, this is the time when you need to consider seeking the help of a professional. Consulting a pest control expert is advisable since he or she can recommend spot treatments and might be able to discover other problems contributing to the problem. They have the experience to tackle escalated gnat issues and guarantee full eradication.
how to get rid of gnats in houseplants
There are different types of gnats which can breed in damp soil of the indoor plants. Here’s how to deal with them:
Addressing Overwatering
Some of the causes of fungus gnats are overwatering of plants, irregular interval between watering sessions, and excess accumulation of organic matter on the soil surface. It is better not to overwater your indoor plants because over time female gnats may lay eggs in the wet soil.
Soil Treatments
It is recommended that you may use neem oil to spray the soil and get rid of any larvae that may be there.
By following the measures mentioned above you can be sure that you will eliminate the presence of gnats in your kitchen and will not have to face the problem in the future. It is therefore advisable to take time to clean and monitor the kitchen in order not to be invaded by the gnats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What brings sudden presence of Gnats?
These Gnats are known to be very active at any one point in time especially when there is food to feed on, water or breeding ground available. Fruits left out, clogged drains, waterlogged plants can cause this kind of odour to emanate within homes.
What’s the role of Gnats to Man?
As much as gnats are annoying, they are harmless in most cases and will not cause harm to the human body. But it is also capable of polluting foods and populating bacteria.
Can Gnats Spread Diseases?
Gnats themselves do not transmit diseases but are able to transfer bacteria from one surface to another and contaminate foodstuffs.
How Long Does It Take to Get Rid of Gnats?
The period that it takes to remove gnats in case of an invasion depends on the extent of invasion. If the appropriate measures are taken, then in most cases, they can be eradicated within the span of 3 to 7 days.
What Preventive Measures Should Be Taken?
Some prevention measures include: Cleaning the kitchen and storing food correctly, controlling moisture in your house.
