Videos by Wide Open Country
None of us want to have fruit flies in our home. Where there are gnats, fruits are usually close by. Not only are these pests annoying, but they can also damage your plants and any food you have lying around. Plus, they tend to explode in numbers soon after a handful show up. For these reasons, it's best to take care of the situation as quickly as you can. But what's really the best way of getting these flying insects out of your house for good?
Some people swear by home remedies like keeping dish soap, vegetable oil or olive oil close to your kitchen sink to kill gnats.
But there is one even simpler way of getting rid of flying gnats that you need to know about. All you need is a cup, some apple cider vinegar and plastic wrap. Pour a little of the vinegar in the cup, cover with plastic wrap, poke small holes in the top and you're ready to go.
The vinegar draws the gnats into the cup, mason jar or small container and traps them (much like a standard fly trap), leaving you with a quick and easy cleanup. Since they love damp areas, you'll quickly attract gnats that are buzzing around your home.
Check out the video above to see how you can make your own apple cider vinegar trap.
By using this simple trick, you can eliminate these pesky insects for good.
Naturally, there are some things you can do outdoors to keep away gnat infestations in the first place. For example, if you have infested potted plants, let the soil dry completely before watering it again. Moist soil is a common place where adult fungus gnats' eggs hatch. Inside, make sure to take your trash cans out regularly and store all fruit in the refrigerator. Place all dirty dishes into your dishwasher immediately after use. Occasionally, you should also wash out your cold storage with a spray bottle and soap.
It also helps to check your windows to make sure they are properly sealed. If not, they will naturally make a beeline for your houseplants, any rotten fruits nearby or open bottles of red wine. These are the most common kinds of breeding source for adult gnats. But even if they get inside the house, your vinegar gnat trap should ensure that they'll have a short life cycle. And who can argue with simple and budget-friendly pest control?
Keep one out at the first sign of black flies or gnat eggs in your home. Now go forward and enjoy life without having to worry about a gnat problem ever again!
