Do you often wait too long before taking out the trash? Is it your habit not to wipe the spilled sugary drinks over the kitchen counter right away? Do you overwater your outdoor or indoor plants? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, don’t be surprised if you see many midges and gnats around your home.
Midges and gnats are not really harmful. However, they are annoying and may bite you. The good news is that you can try several ways on how to get rid of them.
This post will help you eliminate biting midges and gnats at home quickly. So, let’s get started!
What are Biting Midges and Biting Gnats
Gnats and midges belong to several species of small flies that annoy and bit humans. They are often mistaken for mosquitoes due to their appearance. Adults are usually brown, gray, or black and have a hump-shaped back.
The lifespan of these tiny flies is fairly short. The larvae are ready to pupate after four weeks. Then, it will take two days to emerge as an adult. They survive 5-10 days with sole mating activity to produce eggs for the next generation.
How Do Midges and Gnat Infestations Start
In most cases, biting gnats or midges enter your home from outdoors. They easily get inside if your doors, windows, walls, or foundation have holes or cracks. They often infest rotten fruits, trash cans, and other moist places where organic matter decomposition occurs. You can also find them in toilets, drains, and sinks.
The breeding sites of these flies are any bodies of water, such as slow, shallow rivers, residential ponds and lakes, and natural lakes. The emerging gnats and midges can cause severe nuisance and even economic issues.
Quick and Easy Ways to Eliminate Midges and Gnats
You do not have to frustrate yourself from getting rid of annoying midges and gnats. Try the following tactics that require tools and ingredients usually found in your kitchen cabinets, fridge, or pantry:
Apple Cider Vinegar Trap
Get a small bowl and mix a half cup of warm water, two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, six drops of liquid dish soap, and a tablespoon of sugar. Place the sugar mixture in areas where most of the tiny flies nestle in. Midges and gnats will be lured in by the mixture. If they dip into it and drink, they will be trapped. Wait for the flies to drop in.
Candle Trap
A candle trap is old-school, but it is easy and effective. Get a tall candle and place it into a candlestick. Fill the small pan with water and put the candlestick into it. After that, turn off the lights and light the candle. You have to wait for a few moments until the midges and gnats make their way to the flame. These flies will either fall into the water or hit the flame. Ensure not to leave the lit candle unattended. Stay there until it is time to blow the flame out.
Wine Trap
Don’t panic! You do not have to sacrifice your favorite wine to get rid of gnats and midges. You will only use the expired one. In a small bowl, pour some of the stale wine and a few drops of dish soap. Place the mixture in areas where you see most midges and gnats. Wait for the small flies to drop in.
Diluted Bleach
In some cases, gnats and midges may swarm above your tub drains or around your sink, which aggravates. In this scenario, a wine or apple cider vinegar trap is not enough to solve the problem.
If you notice that the flies hover near the drain surface, dilute some bleach with water. Pour the solution down the drain. The ratio should be a one-half cup of bleach to a gallon of water. Ensure to wear a mask and protective gloves to prevent yourself from inhaling the fumes. You can repeat the methods as needed until you notice no more flies in the area.
Rotten Fruit
As mentioned earlier, a rotten fruit is one of the breeding sites of these flies. However, you can also use it to get rid of them. In a large bowl, add some pieces of overripe fruits and cover them with a plastic wrap. Then, secure it with a rubber band. Poke some holes in the top with a toothpick.
After a few moments, midges and gnats will flock to the fruits and make their way through the tiny holes you made. However, they will not find their way out.
Fly Paper and Fly Glue Traps
Another easy way to trap and eliminate these small flies is none other than the flypaper. It catches them on its sticky surfaces. You can purchase it at a cheap price. You can hand the flypaper from the spots that get the most gnat and midge traffic. You can also hand it in the window.
Synergy² Pest Control-Jackson, MS Exterminator
Besides the methods above, you can hire a professional pest control company to help you handle the gnat or midge infestation. Hiring professionals will also ensure that midges and gnats are completely eliminated. The best pest control company has the expertise and experience treating both the larvae and adults. They even create a bespoke treatment plan and ensure that everyone is safe from any harmful substances.
We Are Here to Help
Synergy² Pest Control understands that homeowners want to save time and effort getting rid of annoying flies like midges and gnats. That is why we are here to provide professional and quick pest control solutions. Rest assured that treating the gnat and midge infestations will only take a short period of time.
We know that each client has unique needs. So, we will create a customized treatment plan for your home and ensure that you will have peace of mind knowing that these flies will not disturb and annoy you anymore. Plus, we ensure that our treatment solutions are safe to humans, pets, and the environment.
If do-it-yourself solutions are not enough to solve your pest problem, do not hesitate to visit our official site and learn more about our professional pest control services.
If you’re looking for the right team to handle the issue for you, Synergy² is here to help. We provide trusted services throughout the area, so contact us for the best pest control services around.
Feel free to read more about us and decide if Synergy² is the right company for you. We have over 270 Five-Star Google reviews for pest control service in the Jackson metro area (Jackson/Madison/Brandon/Ridgeland). Check out our newest location reviews for pest control service in Jackson, MS here at Synergy² Jackson Pest Control