It’s a major annoyance when you find out that your Shelburne rental house is having a gnat problem. Although gnats don’t bite or carry diseases, they shouldn’t be around in a clean home. These pests are attracted to ripe fruit, trash bags, and even potting soil. You wouldn’t have any idea where they come from and it can be difficult to remove them. But if you know some good tricks, you can keep these gnats out of your house for good.
Apple Cider Vinegar: One of the best ways to eliminate gnats without harsh chemicals is to use a mixture of apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and dish soap. The gnats get attracted to the sugar while the soap serves as a trap. You can place a small bowl of this mixture in areas where gnats are congregating.
Fly Paper: One low-cost yet effective solution for the gnats problem is flypaper. Although perhaps not the most attractive option, those sticky flypaper ribbons are great at trapping buzzing insects around your home.
Bleach the Drains: If there are gnats gathering around your sink drains, you may have drain flies. Bleach and water in the drains is the answer. Pour the mixture into the affected drains to rid your house of these pests. Soon, your sink will be gnat-free again.
Rotten Fruit: Ripe fruit is attractive to these pests and if you have them in your house, you will have these gnats as well. We can use this fact about gnats to our advantage. Place a piece of ripe or rotten fruit in a bowl and cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Using a toothpick, poke a few small holes in the plastic. The flies get in using the small holes but somehow they can’t figure how to get out. You can then remove the bowl from the house with all the trapped flies inside.
Wine Trap: If you have some expired wine handy, you can use it to trap pesky gnats the same way. In a small bowl, mix the wine with dish soap and leave it near the gnats. The gnats get trapped in the wine solution, thus making it easy for you to remove them.
Bug Zapper: If you wish to be aggressive, use a bug zapper device. There are different types of bug zappers, but they mostly use electricity to zap flies, mosquitoes, and other flying insects. Just look for an out-of-the-way spot and plug the zapper in.
Chemical Spray: For the gnat problems which have gotten out of control, you may need to consider using an insecticide. Both foggers and sprays remove gnats very effectively but you’ll have to handle it with care. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions when using chemical insecticides.
With various ways of removing gnats, you will definitely find one that works best for your pest problem. Are you interested in learning more about how to keep your rental house pest-free? Visit Real Property Management Sterling’s website for more information and contact us online to speak with one of our property managers!
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