You wouldn’t want to imagine seeing your Cedar Park rental house having a gnat problem. Gnats may not bite or carry diseases, but they shouldn’t be present in a clean home. Ripe fruit, trash bags, and even potting soil are favorites for these pests. One day they’re not present and then you see them everywhere the next and it can be difficult to remove them. But not to worry, we have some sure-fire ways to keep these gnats out of the house for good.
Apple Cider Vinegar: One of the best ways to eliminate gnats without harsh chemicals is to use a mixture of apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and dish soap. The one-two punch combo of sugar and soap works by attracting and trapping the gnats. Find the place where gnats have gathered and leave this small bowl of mixture there.
Fly Paper: Looking for an effective and low-cost method of getting rid of gnats? Flypaper is the answer. Although perhaps not the most attractive option, those sticky flypaper ribbons are great at trapping buzzing insects around your home.
Bleach the Drains: If you notice a lot of gnats around the sink drains, you may have drain flies. Bleach and water in the drains is the answer. Pour the mixture into the affected drains to rid your house of these pests. Sit back and relax and watch your sink become gnat-free.
Rotten Fruit: Ripe fruit is attractive to these pests and if you have them in your house, you will have these gnats as well. We can use this fact about gnats to our advantage. Place a piece of ripe or rotten fruit in a bowl and cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Using a toothpick, poke a few small holes in the plastic. The flies are lured by the scent of the fruit and get trapped inside the bowl using the holes. Once it’s full, remove the bowl from the house.
Wine Trap: If you have some expired wine handy, you can use it to trap pesky gnats the same way. Using this wine, mix it with dish soap in a small bowl and leave it near the gnats. The gnats are then trapped in the wine solution.
Bug Zapper: An aggressive way of eliminating gnats is by using a bug zapper device. Bug zappers come in different kinds but they mostly use electricity to zap flies, mosquitoes, and other flying insects. Strategically place the zapper in an out-of-the-way spot and plug it there.
Chemical Spray: But when the problem with gnats gets out of hand, insecticides would have to be the last resort. Two products– the foggers and sprays– can remove the gnats in a breeze but should be handled with care. Also, always follow the manufacturer’s directions when using chemical insecticides.
With a lot of ways to eliminate gnats, you should be able to find the best solution to your pest problem. Are you interested in learning more about how to keep your rental house pest-free? Visit Real Property Management Longhorn’s website for more information and contact us online to speak with one of our property managers!
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