Are Gnats Driving You Crazy?

Gnats are one of those pesky insects that seem to multiply every time you turn around. Gnats are a common pest problem, which can require a call to the best pest control company at the Lake of the Ozarks. In order to combat your gnat problem, you need to understand these annoying insects. Best Pest Control has some information to help you with your gnat problem. If you need professional help getting rid of these flying insects, we can help you! 

What Are Gnats?


The term “gnat” commonly describes a range of small, flying, non-biting insects. These flying bugs include:
  • Fungus gnats
  • Buffalo gnats
  • Black gnats
  • Fruit flies
  • Phorid flies
  • Sand flies
  • And several other species

Many gnats do not live long enough to feed. Depending on the specific species, a gnat’s life cycle only lasts approximately four to five weeks. This is just enough time for them to mate and lay eggs.

What Attracts Gnats?


For gnats that do live long enough to feed, scent is a strong attractor. Gnats gravitate more towards fruity or sweet odors that are associated with their preferred sources of food.

Things that can be extremely tempting to gnats are fruit trees, vegetable gardens, and flower beds. Gnats can also make their way inside of your home if they sense the presence of ripening fruits or vegetables, food spillages, some types of houseplants and garbage that is out in the open. Other things that attract gnats are bath products and certain cosmetics that contain fruity or flowery smells. Gnats can also zero in on certain body parts that are associated with those cosmetics. Yes, that includes the face.

Besides scents, gnats are also attracted to heat and moisture. They like wet areas either inside or outside of your home. The kitchen sink can become a gnat magnet. It not only provides the moisture they like, we also dump food down the drain which they can smell. Gnats are also drawn to people who are perspiring. They may be the most persistent around the moist regions of the face, which includes the eyes, lips and mouth area.

Moisture is extremely important to gnats because they rely on that moisture to reproduce. The larvae develop in standing water in areas such as pools, ponds, clogged rain gutters, or even puddles.

How to Help Keep Gnats Away


Besides having your gnat problem professionally taken care of, one of the most effective ways to keep gnats away is to remove any attractors. It’s important to keep areas both in and around your home clean. By keeping things clean, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of attracting gnats. Don’t allow food (especially fruits like bananas) or sugary drinks to sit out. You should also promptly clean up any food or drink spills and make sure your trash can has a lid.

Since moisture attracts gnats and is their breeding environment, you should be diligent about preventing water from collecting in areas near your home. The main areas of focus should be: 
  • Rain gutters
  • Pet bowls
  • Birdbaths
  • Or any low spots in your yard that collect any standing water

Remove Any Existing Gnats


There are a few safe homemade remedies you can try to use to capture and kill unwanted gnats. A simple gnat trap can be made by mixing red wine (or vinegar if you don’t have wine) and dish soap. Mix equal parts in a bowl and set it out in an area (out of reach of kids and pets) where you’ve seen gnats. The gnats will land in the mixture hoping to feed, but because of the mixture’s structure, the gnats will likely sink and drown.

While DIY methods are an easy and quick fix, they often times don’t cut it. If you need help with your gnat problem, the best pest control company at Lake of the Ozarks can help you. If you need help solving your home's pest control problem, call Best Pest Control. Our technicians are trained to tackle all pests that infect the Lake of the Ozarks. To learn more about our services and to schedule your appointment, contact us at 573-348-1600.
THE LAKE'S MOST TRUSTED PEST CONTROL COMPANY

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573-348-1600 in Osage Beach

Location: Osage Beach, MO, 65065 USA

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