How can I get rid of gnats! I have a lot of indoor plants and all of a sudden I am plagued by gnats. Have tried a mixture of cornmeal and water but can't get rid of them completely. I don't know if I have used the cornmeal properly. HELP!
Try using a soap and water solution when watering plants. I use it on my outside plants for bugs and it works.(quote)(/quote) (11/15/2004)
By bugs
Are they gnats or fruit flies? Gnats deposit their eggs in the soil and their larvae will damage root of plants. The adult gnats that fly around are more of a nuisance than doing damage to anything. You need to sprinkle a powder on the top of the soil (I bought Fungus Gnat Killer made by Wilson at my local garden center) to kill the adult gnats as they come back to lay their eggs. Gnats will also live in your trap in the sink. Pour a little oil at night into the drain and that will coat the drain and kill the gnats there.
If you have fruit flies, put all fruit and moist food away in fridge. Garbage goes outside or gets 100% covered. Lots of fruit flies...vacuum the kitchen, suck them into the hose, gone! Good luck!
A solution of part vinegar and part water sprayed on them might work. (11/16/2004)
By glomax56
I have been told that if you put some dish soap in a bowl of water and whip it to create bubbles on top, the gnats are drawn to it and drown. Set the bowls in the rooms where you are having trouble. (11/16/2004)
By Jill
What if you think they are just normal gnats? I live in Okinawa and had to buy them out of the commissary/PX (grocery store and store similar to Wal-mart). they looked in good condition, though I don't know much about plants. I assume they are not fungus gnats as they do not look like tiny mosquitoes, only regular annoying gnats. What's the solution now? How do I get rid of them? Is there a home remedy and also how to avoid them? Thank you for your help! (05/08/2005)
By fitzaddict
For house plants several tricks work best! you can purchase the 3x5 open faced sticky rat traps to catch the adults flying around. Just place on its side directly in the pot. Take care not to get it on the plant. Then dissolve a mosquito dunk in water and water infested pots, kills larvae. Instant satisfaction! If you can tolerate the smell, you can fill a jar with vinegar, poke holes in the lid, gnats attracted to the smell, crawl in the holes and don't come out. The bowl of soapy water works o.k., it also works well for fleas, place bowl of soapy water directly under night light when you go to bed, empty each morning! Good Luck! (05/28/2005)
By kanestes
I have fruit flies in the house... it's hard to kill them and wonder is there a spray that can be used to just spray on the gnats as they whiz by? something non-chemical without a scent would be great.. please write me at molly9094 AT aol.com (remove spaces)
Thank you so much! (07/22/2005)
By
Thank you all for the help on getting rid of fruit flies. I'm still battling them after a week... and wonder who's winning, hahaha!! I do get up in the night and check on them and try to kill as many as I can, usually they're hanging out at a dish of wine I leave out for them (they love it!). I'll post again to let you know when if ever they're just a memory. (07/24/2005)
By
I just started using a mixture of 1 tsp dish soap and 2 cups water. I sprayed the soil and plants lightly. We'll see if that does the trick!! (08/23/2005)
By ramyrain
Coat the topsoil of all your potted plants with sand.It smothers the eggs and cuts the adult bodies. (06/10/2006)
By lou
Just want to say "thank you" for posting such wonderful ideas for home remedies.(b)(/b) (01/10/2007)
By Rose
I tried the vinegar and water mixture.....IT DIDN'T WORK. I'll try the soap & water next! (03/25/2007)
By Gnat Sickq
To catch fruit flies...take a smooth class dish and just cover the bottom with plain old clear rum. add a small amount lime juice (lemon would probably work too) and set it out on the kitchen counter. I probably caught twenty a day when i first did this, and they quickly disappeared. Haven't tried the soapy water, I'm sticking to what works for me. :) (04/30/2007)
By Chris
I read somewhere that if you clear off the top soil and throw it away (kills larvae in soil) and then put 1/2 inch slices of raw potato on the soil you will get rid of them in a week. The gnats which are flying around will lay their eggs on the potatoes and you will throw them out each day before they can hatch. You have to change the potato slices every day. I'm trying it now on my mass cane indoor plant (05/03/2007)
By I HATE GNATS!
Add your voice! Click below to comment. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
