The moment you see tiny flying insects, you think they are gnat bugs. Then you wonder where do gnats come from. But before we get into that, know that not all flying insects are gnats.
Gnats are ¼ inches long and are tan, dark brown, or yellowish. But that sounds like most insects, right? One way to identify them is when you see a swarm of gnats around decayed substances.
Identifying them properly can help you better understand where gnats come from and how to get rid of them.
You should never leave your doors and windows open. The dangers are many, from robbers to strangers and, of course, gnats.
Gnats are the least harmless of the three, but you should know that a female gnat lays 500 eggs at once if they find a suitable place. A large population of gnats in your home could be catastrophic, so take precautions.
Always close the door behind you when you enter and leave your home. Also, take care of the windows.
You might accidentally introduce gnats into your home when you bring in your potted outdoor plants at the onset of winter to protect them from freezing temperatures. The soil of these potted plants may contain gnat larvae.
These tiny pests might hide in the moist soil or on the leaves. So, inspect your plants carefully before bringing them inside to prevent this. Consider treating the soil or the plant with appropriate pest control measures.
If your windows have screens, you can leave them open to allow fresh air to flow through your home unless there are holes. Gnats are tiny; they can enter through almost invisible gaps and holes in the screen. These tears and gaps in the mesh compromise their effectiveness.
So, if you notice an increase in gnats in your homes, you should inspect your window and door screens for signs of wear or damage and repair them before gnats take over your house.
Speaking of inspecting, you should also inspect your home for cracks. You will find these cracks around windows, doors, or where walls meet floors. You might not think much of it, but for the gnats, it is the gateway into a haven of a habitat.
Seal the cracks with caulk or weather stripping to keep your home free from gnats and other insects. However, if you notice a mildew smell coming from the cracks, it is a warning sign of house foundation problems and caulk might not fix it.
If you are wondering where do house gnats come from sneakily, it is the air vents. Air vents circulate air inside your home. It also allows gnats to enter if the vents are unsealed or damaged.
The warmth and airflow from the ducts can also create a welcoming environment for these pests. One solution to this problem is installing insect screens on indoor and outdoor vents. You can easily DIY the air vent screens or call in a professional.
In addition to plants, gnats can enter your home through household items brought in from outside, like groceries. When you bring in produce or other items, they might carry gnats and eggs.
For example, if you purchase fruit already infested with gnats or their larvae, they can enter your home. They can also be in secondhand furniture you bought from the Facebook marketplace. Checking and cleaning items before bringing them inside can help prevent these tiny pests from entering your home.
Every evening, you take your pet dog for a walk and let them explore the outdoors. But if it ends up in gnat territories, these tiny bugs might hop on your pet fur for a ride inside your home.
Once inside, they will start looking for food and a spot to lay eggs, resulting in an infestation.
So, remember to keep your pet away from places that gnats will likely frequent, such as compost piles, the next time you take it for a stroll.
Like most living things, gnats need water to survive and reproduce. Therefore, they are always on the hunt for stagnant water sources. Two main indoor sources include leaky pipes and clogged drains.
Some outdoor sources are gutters, rain barrels, bird baths, or puddles. Once the gnats find water sources, they can enter your home. To prevent these pests, eliminate all unnecessary water sources.
Like cracks and gaps in the window screen and air vents, gnats can enter your home through cracks in your home floorings. These small openings found between floorboards create pathways for gnats to crawl through.
Old and damaged floorings usually have these cracks. You can fix minor splits and fractures with epoxy (wood glue) and filler. Ensuring that that flooring is in good condition can prevent gnats from entering your home.
Gnats can hide perfectly in overgrown vegetation like dense shrubs, tall grasses, and overgrown vines. This vegetation is well-loved by gnats as it is shaded and moist.
Therefore, you should maintain an unfavorable environment for the gnats by keeping your garden healthy. So, mow the lawn, trim shrubs, and trees, remove dead or decaying plant material, and plant vegetation away from your home. These practices also help get rid of other common plant pests.
When you bring your garden soil inside for potting or repotting plants, it can carry gnats or their larvae. These tiny pests often thrive in damp, organic environments like garden soil. It is a sneaky way for gnats to enter your home.
Soil most likely contaminated with gnats is moist and contains decomposing plant debris. Consider using sterilized potting soil or ensuring that any soil brought indoors is dry and free of pests to prevent gnat problems.
We know how gnats enter our homes but what causes gnats in the house? Knowing the causes can help make your home unattractive for these pesky insects.
Unattended Fruits: If you are wondering what do gnats eat, it is fruits. Gnats love rotten fruit and will swarm the house if they are unattended. They will also attack fruity drinks and or other sugary substances. So, if you have left out these items or not stored them properly, you should clean them.
Fruit-scented Products: You are not the only one who loves fruit-scented beauty and hygiene products. Gnats love them too. They mistake them for actual fruits and think they have located a food source.
Overwatered Plants: Standing water in the saucer or water pooling on the surface soil results from overwatering your plants. The gnats love this moisture as it creates an ideal medium for breeding. And if the population of gnats increases, some will definitely end up inside your home.
Decomposed Food Matter in Drain: If you do not clean up the drains in your kitchen and outdoors, food will build up and decompose over time. And gnats love and feed on decomposed matter.
Overflowing Trash Cans: Trash cans usually offer gnats moisture and putrid organic matter; hence, it is their haven. So, if your trash can is overflowing, it is about time you emptied it. A good rule would be to empty the cans if the lid stops closing.
Excess Moisture in Bathrooms/Kitchens: Drain gnats breed when there is water accumulation in the bathroom and kitchen. So, maybe the cause of gnats in your house is faulty pipes, vents, and sinks.
You might instinctively reach for the insecticide or pesticide when gnats bother you. So, here are some treatments you should try first before resorting to chemicals:
Vinegar traps work best on gnats that are attracted to fruits. You set up the trap by putting a bowl close to the infestation area which is similar to the recipe for an apple cider vinegar trap for flies.
Gnats will land in the mixture because of the sugar, but the dish soap prevents escape and kills them.
You might need to purchase this if you do not own one. It is well worth the investment, though, as it works on most flying insects.
These devices attract flying insects with a UV light and electrocute them to death. You can use them safely indoors. Just place them in areas where gnats are bothering you.
You might love the scent of essential oils wafting through your home, but not gnats. These essential oils have a pungent smell that conceals the sweet and rotting odors.
They also mess with the gnats’ navigation. You should dilute the oil and spray it in the kitchen or near houseplants to prevent gnats from entering the areas.
Use sticky traps if the gnat infestation is happening around your potted plants. These traps are bright yellow to attract the insects.
You can choose from hanging ribbons and cards to stands, and remember to keep an eye on the trap and replace it once it is full
Put a candle in a candle holder and place it in a small pot filled with water. Add a little dish soap, light the candle, set your pan near the infestation area, and turn off the lights.
Gnats will be drawn to the flame, after which they will burn or drop into the water and drown. Since you are using a candle, remember to adopt safety precautions.
Commonly, garlic is used to add magic to dishes. Uncommonly, it is used to deter insects. You can make a garlic spray that deters gnats by:
combining minced garlic and water in a spray bottle.
When all else fails, or you do not have the time to deal with the gnat problem, professional control can help. Professionals are equipped to handle all stages of the gnat life cycle.
This means they can uncover eggs and larvae hiding throughout your home to prevent future infestations so that you can live in peace.
It is pointless to get rid of the gnats if you do not know how to prevent them because they might come back.
So here are some things you might have to change about your home to prevent gnats:
If you suspect overwatering plants are the source of gnats, reduce the watering frequency. You do not need to water mature plants, as rainwater will be enough. But if you live in a dry area, water your plants weekly.
You should provide an inch of water. If you notice excess water on plant pot saucers, discard them. Also, these are some of the best water for plants.
Gnats feed on anything sugary and fruity. So, if there are spills on your kitchen counters or leftover food on your dining tables, you should clean them up.
Also, remember to wipe down kitchen and bathroom surfaces regularly and fix leaks or standing water issues immediately. Doing so will drive away gnats and clean away their eggs.
For trash can hygiene, you should:
You should do a deep clean of the drains, especially in your home now and then. For that, pour 1/2 cup bleach, diluted with a gallon of water, down your drain.
Then, give everything through scrubbing and rinse with plenty of hot water. You can also use a drain cleaning product labeled for gnat control; follow the directions on the label.
