Victoria's Secret Vanilla Lace body mist. I know it's not the most frugal, but it works wonders and it doesn't leave you smelling like a hazmat accident. Other vanilla scented body mists might work too, I've not tried them tho. We discovered this while working construction. Even the most manly man was borrowing it when they noticed they were being carried away and I wasn't.
Reader's Digest's book "5-Minute Fixes" says to trap them: using a quart-sized jar, deposit some banana peel or apple or other fruit into the bottom of the jar. Make a paper funnel where the small end has about a 1/2-inch opening, and the large end so it will fit the top of the jar. Insert funnel, small end inside the jar, wide end completely closing off the mouth of the jar.
No-see-ums should fly in, lay eggs, and won't be able to get back out. Every few days, fill jar with hot tap water to kill flies and larvae. Dispose of the water & bugs. Then start over with new fruit and a new funnel.
I'm trying it today because I have them in the house (I have an indoor herb garden, and they're hanging out in there). I think I'm going to have to get rid of the herb garden, as no-see-ums attach to fruit and plants. Also, if you store fruit on the counter or table, consider storing it in the fridge, and be sure your trash has a tight-fitting lid.
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Request: Getting Rid of "No See Ums"
Archived on 06/02/2009
I have these "no see ums" in my home and they bite. They fly and are almost impossible to see. I do see them but they disappear fast. I had the pest control people in and they sprayed the floor but that has not worked. These flying monsters don't affect my indoor cats. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Cate from Knoxville, TN
Feedback:
RE: Getting Rid of "No See Ums"
I recently posted a suggestion for fruit flies, I wonder if the idea will work for your problem.
I placed a piece of cantaloupe in a glass jar, put a funnel on top, spout down and taped it around with masking tape to seal the funnel to the top of the jar. I did this for a few days, and the fruit flies seem to be gone. The fruit flies can fly in but they can't fly out. I took the jar outside far from the house and let them go. Most of them were dead already.
My daughter's boyfriend suggested putting apple cider in a jar, topping it with plastic wrap, and rubber band it tightly so the fruit flies can't get out. Using a toothpick, punch some holes in the top. I did try this method but there was only one fruit fly inside, the rest of them were in the other jar with the funnel.
If I ever have that problem again, I am going to try cider vinegar with the funnel. If it doesn't work, I'm going to add a piece of fruit to the vinegar. (09/11/2007)
By Laura
RE: Getting Rid of "No See Ums"
I live in a hot country. I think I know what you're talking about. The only remedy I find that works is one of those cheap mosquito repellent machines that you put those little blue mats in. They're the only thing that works for me and I've tried all sorts. (09/12/2007)
