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How can you get rid of gnats


How to Get Rid of Gnats

If you've ever spilled sugary juice on the counter and didn't wipe it up right away, overwatered plants inside or outside, or waited a day too long to take out the trash, you know this feeling. One simple household mistake, and all of sudden your house seems to be covered up in bugs—tiny gnats, to be exact. Here are eight ways to help you get rid of gnats once and for all.

Before killing gnats, the first thing to do is make sure that they are, in fact, gnats. There are many different types of itty-bitty flying insects, and each requires a slightly different elimination tactic. You may actually find yourself needing to know how to get rid of fruit flies or how to get rid of drain flies instead. If you know what to look for, it's easy to distinguish between bugs. Fungus gnats look black and feature long legs while fruit flies are typically brown and rounder in shape. Drain flies have a fuzzier appearance and larger wings, and as the name suggests, they hang out around sink drains.

Once you’ve correctly identified what bug is, well, bugging you, you can start to take the necessary steps toward getting rid of gnats, flies, and any other bugs once and for all with vinegar solutions, store-bought remedies, and even rotten fruit (really!). For longer-term success, invest in one of the best bug zappers on the market.

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Bragg

Make a trap using apple cider vinegar.

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5

Pour boiling water down your drain.

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Kitchen sink drains are common spots where gnats lay eggs, especially in garbage disposals. They love the warm, moist environment and any food and bacteria build up that occurs there. Kill any eggs in your drain by pouring boiling water in the sink.

6

Use a wine trap.

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Now, we're not asking you to sacrifice your wine collection to kill gnats! Instead, for this nifty trapping trick, you'll want to use an expired wine—one that's nearly turned into vinegar. You can use it in nearly the same way that you used the aforementioned apple cider vinegar trick: Pour some of the stale wine into a small vessel, add in a couple drops of dish soap, then place the mixture in gnat-filled areas of your home and wait for the bugs to drop in.

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Set a candle trap.

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Lure them with rotten fruit.

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Yes, the very thing that caused the infestation in the first place might be your best bet when it comes to ending it. Add a few pieces of overripe fruit to a large bowl, then cover with plastic wrap and secure with a rubber band. Use a toothpick to poke a few holes in the top. Soon, gnats and fruit flies will flock to the fruit, making their way in through the tiny holes—but they won't know how to find their way out.

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Clorox

Try a diluted bleach solution for drain flies.

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Amy Mitchell Amy Mitchell is the managing editor at Country Living Magazine.

How To Get Rid of Fruit Flies in the House Fast

During the summer months, and even into early fall, there's nothing worse than flying pests. When we're outside, we're looking for ways to prevent mosquitos, and when we're inside, we're trying to get rid of ants. But it's possible that nothing is more pesky than fruit flies. But fear not, if you're seeing fruit flies around your drain or a bowl of fruit, there is hope. And there are home remedies to help you get rid of fruit flies before you bring out the chemicals (you can even do it without apple cider vinegar). Even if you only have five minutes, there's a solution to get rid of fruit flies fast.

What causes fruit flies in the house? Where do fruit flies come from?

Even though it seems that they just pop up out of nowhere, the truth is fruit flies are attracted to fermenting fruits and vegetables and thrive on high-fructose substances. Female fruit flies lay their eggs on the surface of or inside overripe, rotting, or decaying fruit. If you think that's gross, brace yourself. Each female fruit fly can lay up to 500 eggs at a time! For that reason, it's important to take action as soon as you see the very first fruit fly. After hatching, the larva feast on their surroundings (for example, a super ripe banana) for a few days before evolving into fully formed adults. Overall, their life cycle is fairly quick—fruit flies are capable of mating just two days after they become adults—which means your cleanup clock starts immediately. Pronto. No waiting.

How to get rid of fruit flies for good

Before you get started, evaluate your space and get cleaning. Fruit flies hate clean surfaces, so clear off all of the clutter and wipe down your countertops as well as your sink. Trust us: If you skip this step, you'll be fighting a losing battle against the bugs. Next, make sure you are dealing with fruit flies and not another flying insect like drain flies. Fruit flies are usually yellow in color and swarm overripe fruit, like bananas or peaches.

  • Clean all surfaces. The first (and perhaps easiest) step to eliminating fruit flies is quite simple: Thoroughly wipe down all countertops. If you don't, these spots become the perfect place for fruit flies to breed.
  • Throw out too-ripe or rotting produce. Check all fruits and vegetables for rot, decay, or overripeness. Dispose any questionable pieces to avoid female fruit flies from laying their eggs on these surfaces.
  • Take out garbage regularly. This might seem like a no-brainer, but a clean house is a pest-free house. Taking out the trash will prevent bugs from lingering.
  • Clean your drain. Keep sink drains free of food particles and residue as best you can.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Plastic Wrap Trap

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Fill a bowl or glass with apple cider vinegar, cover with plastic wrap, seal the edges with a rubber band, and poke tiny holes in the top. The vinegar will attract the fruit flies, and once they're inside, they won't be able to escape the plastic wrap barrier.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Dish Soap Trap

Robin Gentry

Fill a bowl with vinegar and add a drop of dish soap, mixing well. The stale sweetness of the apple cider vinegar tempts flies, and the dish soap works to decrease the surface tension of the liquid, causing the flies to become immersed immediately upon investigating the solution and unable to escape.

What If I Don't Have Apple Cider Vinegar?

Fernando Trabanco Fotografía

Try the beer or wine trap. Leave a bottle of old wine or beer out near where the fruit flies were spotted. They’ll be lured in by the stale beverage, but the narrow neck of the bottle acts as a natural barrier to keep them trapped.

Janine Lamontagne

Or try this homemade spray to kill fruit flies: In a small spray bottle, add 2 ounces of hot water. Add 10 drops of lemongrass essential oil. Spray this mixture on fruit flies as you see them (check windowsills and kitchen counters).

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Try a chemical fruit-fly spray. When cleaning and household remedies aren't working, buy one of these top-rated products to eliminate fruit flies once and for all.

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This product is a little stronger than a DIY solution and claims to "naturally" kill pests with non-toxic ingredients.

Will fruit flies go away on their own?

Fruit flies have a short lifespan of about two weeks. You will continue getting more each day as long as the infestation continues, but fear not: Fruit flies tend to appear during the summertime but the population will dwindle once temperatures cool off. Because they can transfer bacteria it's best to get rid of them, but if all else fails you can wait them out.

What's the difference between fruit flies and gnats?

If you spot little black bugs flying around, the first thing you want to do is identify the bug. It's easy to confuse fruit flies and fungus gnats, a common lookalike. Gnats tend to be gray or black, while fruit flies range from light tan to reddish orange and brown. Fruit flies have a taste for too-ripe fruit and other produce and thrive on high-fructose substances. Fungus gnats, on the other hand, live in soils and on plants, so if you think you’re spotting those, the issue may not be in your fruit bowl. Other bugs the culprit? Check out these links for helpful tips regarding how to get rid of gnats, how to get rid of carpenter ants, and how to get rid of flies in drains.

Natalie Schumann

NATALIE SCHUMANN Associate Editor

Natalie Schumann is the Associate Editor at Country Living, where she manages CL's social channels and covers country music and entertainment news.

This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

How to get rid of mosquitoes that interfere with sleep?

“I return to my comfortable bed at the end of a tiring summer day filled with events. Gradually I begin to fall asleep ... But then a quiet squeak is heard, and for the next two hours the mosquito shakes my nerves ... ”Sounds familiar? It's time to chase away the mosquitoes stealing your summer sleep - here are simple and natural remedies!

“I return to my comfortable bed at the end of a tiring summer day filled with events. Gradually I begin to fall asleep ... But then a quiet squeak is heard, and for the next two hours the mosquito shakes my nerves ... ”Sounds familiar? It's time to chase away the mosquitoes stealing your summer sleep - here are simple and natural remedies!

Install mosquito nets on windows

Of course, there are many effective ways to keep pesky bloodsuckers away from your body at night. But the easiest way to stop them is at the stage of penetration into the bedroom. Mosquito Nets - A simple, fast, cheap and effective solution that will allow you to sleep peacefully without having to listen to annoying squeaks in the dark...

Light a scented candle in your bedroom

Aroma candles are a natural solution to the problem of annoying mosquitoes. Many intense fragrances repel mosquitoes and other insects, and in addition, fills the bedroom with the magical smell of , which helps to further improve sleep. What flavors to choose? Rosemary, lavender, lemon, or mint tend to work best. But you can choose just about any strong scent you like. Just try not to set anything on fire by repelling mosquitoes with candles...

Love garlic

Seriously. Garlic is a well-known mosquito repellent that is sure to repel treacherous insects. Just dine on Garlic Salad or Delicious Garlic Soup for dinner. Over the following hours, the garlic essential oils will gradually be released through the pores, creating a subtle but strong-smelling barrier between the skin and the mosquitoes. Although you have to consider that the smell of garlic can also drive people away…

Turn on fan

The flight performance of mosquitoes is actually quite limited - it is difficult for them to fly against the wind. So they'll think it's best to stay away. You have a great chance to take advantage of their weakness! Just turn on an electric fan before bed and the chances of mosquitoes landing on your skin will be greatly reduced. 2 additional benefits of using a fan in the bedroom: it helps keep you cool on hot summer nights, and its steady sound is known to have a calming effect on some people...

Apply lemongrass oil to the body

Lemongrass is one of the most effective natural repellents for mosquitoes and other insects. He is often used in ointments by people who live in areas where there are a lot of insects, such as jungles or swamps. Simply apply lemongrass oil (or cream) to your body before bed. Sure, skin can feel sticky for a few minutes, but if it keeps mosquitoes away and gives you a restful sleep, it's worth it, right?

Buy quality mattress and bed linen

How mattresses and bedding can affect mosquitoes, you ask? In fact, quite strongly, is attracted to heat, sweat and, as a result, body odor. The unbearable heat of summer nights makes you sweat and smell, making you the perfect target for mosquitoes. So it is worth giving yourself a high-quality mattress and bedding with good thermoregulation in order to attract insects less and get better sleep.

Make friends with bats

Joke? Admittedly, the method is slightly unconventional, but bats are natural enemies of mosquitoes. One bat can kill up to 1000 mosquitoes per hour. The question is how to use it. We certainly don't recommend keeping them in the bedroom, but if you manage to attract them to your garden, they will likely eat most of the mosquitoes that would otherwise eat you while you sleep. But you should also know that bats sometimes carry dangerous diseases
In this review, we will talk about the harm that these insects can cause and how to get rid of mosquitoes in different ways.

A few words about the lifestyle and nutrition of mosquitoes

A mosquito is a two-winged insect belonging to the long-whiskered category. There are about 3600 of them around the world. different kinds. At the same time, only 100 varieties of mosquitoes were found in Russia.

Before the appearance of an adult, the mosquito goes through 4 main phases: egg ー larva ー pupa ー imago.

Features of the life of mosquitoes:

  • begin to intensify from May until October. If the winter was snowy and the spring started early, then the first individuals may appear as early as April,
  • the main habitat of larvae and pupae is stagnant water bodies (lakes, ponds, puddles, etc.). During the summer adult mosquitoes can be found in any damp and wetlands (in the basement, on the walls in the house, in the shade of trees, in livestock buildings, etc.),
  • plant materials (nectar, plant sap) and blood act as food for bloodsucking (usually mammals and birds). In this case, only female mosquitoes feed on blood. They need it for reproduction of full-fledged offspring,
  • in order to feed on blood, mosquitoes first make a hole in the skin of the victim with their jaws, reminiscent of nail files.

Female mosquitoes have one remarkable feature ー they choose their prey by smell. They are attracted to lactic acid contained in sweat, carbon dioxide exhaled by a person or animal. That is why they can completely bite one person, and leave only a couple of small ones on the other. bites. The reason is the individual smell of each.

What harm can be done to a person?

It is important for a person to provide reliable protection against mosquitoes, since their bites entail the following unpleasant consequences:

  1. Physical discomfort ー A mosquito bite is always accompanied by unpleasant symptoms in the form of severe itching, redness and swelling of the skin puncture site. The reason for the appearance of such a reaction is associated with saliva. mosquito, which he first introduces through a cut in the skin. It contains anticoagulants, which are called prevent blood clotting.
    In addition, mosquitoes in the apartment emit a loud buzz and squeak. They begin to become more active closer to the night, therefore, these sounds interfere with sleep and cause insomnia. The next day, the person feels overwhelmed.
  2. Allergic reaction ー is another negative effect that can occur after a mosquito bite. In particular, chronic allergies are prone to such a reaction.
    A mosquito bite can lead to extensive rashes all over the body, swollen lymph nodes, severe swelling, an increase in body temperature and even difficulty breathing. In this case, the person should be given urgent medical assistance.
  3. High risk of contracting dangerous diseases ー the most serious consequence of a mosquito bite. Some species of these bloodsuckers are carriers of such dangerous infectious diseases, like: malaria, yellow fever, lymphatic filariasis, tularemia, dengue fever, etc.
  4. Possible secondary infection severe itching. A person begins to actively comb this place, resulting in a wound. If it is not treated, then an infection can get there and aggravate the situation.

To date, some types of malarial mosquitoes have been recorded in Russia. These are the genus Coquillettidia, Uranotaenia Toxorhynchites and Orthopodomyia. To a greater extent, these varieties predominate in the western part of the country.

Causes and factors provoking the appearance of mosquitoes in the apartment

It is generally accepted that the problem of mosquitoes is more relevant for residents of rural areas. with lots of animals, rivers, lakes and swamps. However, in reality, these bloodsuckers are exactly the same can terrorize city dwellers in their own apartments.

In dwellings located on floors, mosquitoes penetrate the following main ways:

  • through an open window or window,
  • through ventilation ducts
  • when opening the front door or on the balcony,
  • through the garbage chute located in the entrance.

To a greater extent, attacks from mosquitoes are subject to residents of the lower and middle floors (up to 6). Bloodsuckers reach the uppermost floors less often.

There are several factors that provoke the influx of mosquitoes in the apartment:

  1. Dampness and humidity in the basement is a common problem in many high-rise buildings. Due to leaking pipes periodic flooding and lack of sunlight, moisture in such places does not evaporate, creating favorable breeding conditions for mosquitoes. In the future, along the ventilation shafts and the garbage chute they go up to apartments.
  2. The presence of ponds near the house ー although this is a rather rare occurrence for the city, nevertheless, this is also Maybe. Moreover, even a large, non-drying puddle near the house can provoke the appearance of mosquitoes.
  3. Sometimes the microclimate in the apartment itself acts as a provoking factor. For example, if you have high humidity, then on hot summer days, bloodsucking raids cannot be avoided.

Fighting mosquitoes in the apartment

The problem of bloodsuckers has always been relevant and vital for humans. Therefore, today A large number of different methods of protection against mosquitoes have been invented. This includes technical inventions, special cosmetics for skin treatment, barrier methods of protection, folk methods, etc.

Below we divided all types of mosquito repellents into 4 main groups and gave a detailed description of each of them.

barrier way

The basis of this method is the arrangement in the apartment of structures that prevent the penetration of mosquitoes inside.

The most common and easiest option is to install mosquito nets on all windows. Such a design is a canvas in a fine mesh, stretched over a special frame. It fits the window and inserted into it.

In order for mosquito nets on the windows to give an effect, the following nuances must be taken into account:

  • such a mesh should have cells smaller than the size of a mosquito (3-7 mm),
  • to improve efficiency, the entire surface of such a design can be treated with a special insecticide.

Mosquito nets on windows have some disadvantages:

  • firstly, if it has large cells, then mosquitoes will fly freely inside,
  • secondly, such structures are quite fragile and break quickly. In addition, with inaccurate movement they fall down easily. If you live on the upper floors, then after a fall, the frame with the mesh may break and then you have to buy a new one.

It should be remembered that babies love to lean on mosquito nets. As sad statistics show, every year a large number of children fall out of windows for this reason. So if you have a small child, then more attention should be paid to this issue. It makes sense to look for alternative ways to protect yourself from mosquitoes.

To solve the problem of mosquitoes in the apartment in a more modern, and most importantly safe way, buy a breather. Use it to ventilate the room will be possible without open windows and vents. And this means that mosquitoes are simply they won't be able to get inside. Moreover, the supply ventilation system from TION is equipped with powerful filters that purify the air from dust, allergens, plant pollen and other pollutants from the street, as well as neutralize unpleasant odors.

Technical solutions

Modern manufacturers have come up with different types of equipment that also help get rid of mosquitoes in the apartment. Consider in more detail the main types of such equipment:

  1. An ultrasonic repeller is a special piece of equipment that transmits ultrasonic waves. A person does not hear them, but they scare away mosquitoes. The affected area varies within 20-5000 sq.m (depending on model).
    It has not yet been possible to confirm the effectiveness of sound repellers 100%, as some scientists pointed to the absence of any evidence of the effect of such sound waves on mosquitoes.

  2. An anti-mosquito lamp is an ultraviolet device that destroys mosquitoes through an electrical impact. An open current passes over its entire area, upon contact with which insects die. For a person, such a lamp is absolutely safe, since it uses a weak current.
    Since mosquitoes do not like light, there is an opinion that it is ineffective against bloodsuckers. However, it will help get rid of butterflies, flies and other unwanted living creatures in the apartment.

  3. An electric fumigator is a small appliance that is connected to the mains. Their meaning is to highlight poisonous substances that kill mosquitoes. Such formulations may be in the form of a plate or a gel. After turning on the device, they begin to heat up and evaporate into the environment.
    The main disadvantage of electric fumigators is that they capture a small area (up to 12 sq. m).

  4. Anti-mosquito bracelet - has the form of a flat narrow ribbon that is worn on the wrist. This bracelet is fastened with a button or Velcro.
    Such a device works according to the following scheme: it contains substances that, by their smell repel mosquitoes. Damage radius: up to 100 cm (in diameter).

Mosquito Repellents

Protection against mosquitoes can also be provided through repellents. This name refers to a group of natural or chemicals that have a deterrent effect on insects, including bloodsuckers.

All varieties of repellents on sale today can be divided into two groups:

  • products applied to the skin and clothing of a person are sold in the form of sprays, creams, ointments and emulsions. Such formulations can be applied to exposed areas of the skin (arms, neck, legs, face) or sprayed onto clothing. Before smearing with such a composition, you should check it for an allergic reaction on a small area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe skin,
  • compositions for spraying in the surrounding space - these can be plates, spirals (you must first set fire to it), aerosols.

The main feature of repellents is that they only repel mosquitoes. Moreover, the latter do not die upon contact with such substances.

On average, the duration is 2-6 hours. Here a lot depends on the brand, the type of repellent, composition, price range, etc.

Folk methods

Many folk remedies for mosquitoes have long been proven to be effective.

To repel mosquitoes, the following methods are well suited:

  1. The use of essential oils in the apartment - with their aroma, they scare away bloodsucking. For this it is necessary Take any essential oil (like lavender, eucalyptus, mint, etc.) and apply it to your skin. You can also soak a few napkins with oil and place them throughout the house, add this composition to an aroma lamp or put a couple of drops on the locket and wear it around your neck. There are many options, so choose whichever you like.

  2. Mosquitoes can't stand the smell of vanilla, so it's also great for killing mosquitoes. Dilute a few tablespoons of this fragrant additive in warm water, soak a cotton pad in it and wipe the skin. As a result, the body will exude a pleasant aroma that will simultaneously scare away bloodsuckers.

  3. There are certain categories of plants that also protect against mosquito bites with their smell. For example, on window sill you can plant citronella (a common ingredient in many insect repellents), rosemary (better known as a spice, but it also works well against mosquitoes), geranium, etc.
    If there is no desire to mess with the ground and plantings, then you can simply arrange dry bunches of wormwood around the apartment.

  4. Use the well-known old Asterisk balm. It should be applied pointwise in different parts of the body. It also heals existing mosquito bites well and relieves itching.

Bitten by mosquitoes: what can be done?

When bitten by a mosquito, the first thing you want to do is scratch the bite. However, this is not the correct action. which in the end will only increase the itching and can lead to the formation of a wound. She'll take a long time to heal and deliver discomfort. In addition, damaged areas of the skin can easily become infected.

Thus, if you are bitten by mosquitoes, then you should take the following steps:

  • in order to relieve itching, you can apply a compress with a small amount of ice to the bite site (for 10-15 minutes). Also in the pharmacy you can ask for some remedy. Today on sale there are many different ointments, emulsions and creams, good for relieving itching
  • if you have already combed the bite site and a wound has formed on it, then it should be treated with Fukartsin solutions (1%),
  • if there are a lot of mosquito bites on the body, then before going to bed it is recommended to drink a drug with an antihistamine action to prevent an allergic reaction,
  • if after a few days the symptoms persist (itching, swelling, redness), then you need to seek medical attention.

Today, a lot of effective ways to fight mosquitoes have been invented, so you can definitely pick up something.

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