Gnats are tiny insects that fly inside or outside. They are often attracted by overflowing garbage cans, food spillage, or fresh flowers inside your home. Note that there are several different gnat species today, and each requires a different approach to control. A few examples include fruit flies, drain flies, and fungus gnats.
Gnats rarely bite and cause life-threatening illnesses, but severe gnats inside the house can cause allergic reactions in humans or pets.
Controlling gnat invasion can be challenging if you do not know the exact products to use. Fortunately, this guide discusses how to use raid brands of products or other effective techniques to kill the gnats.
Does Raid Kill Gnats?
Raid is a brand of products that effectively kills indoor and outdoor pests. Each brand specifically kills the intended pest. So, using the correct raid product will kill gnats. The Raid flying insect killer is the recommended product to use.
You should always know how to use raid products when dealing with different pests at home because using any raid product correctly helps avoid damaging the environment or human health.
You should not use raid as the only remedy to deal with gnats at home because it will temporarily deal with the current infestation. Instead, embrace proper sanitization at home by reducing organic matter in the kitchen or eliminating all gnat breeding sites.
Does Raid Ant and Roach Kill Gnats?
Raid ant and roach killers kill ants and cockroaches. However, it can effectively kill gnats and other tiny flying insects because of its active chemical ingredients. Raid ant and roach killers contain Imiprothrin (0.060%) and Cypermethrin (0.100%).
The active ingredients in raid ant and roach killers disrupt the nervous system of most insects, paralyzing them and killing them instantly.
Although not the best product, raid ant and roach killer can be effective with a minor gnat infestation. But the species you want to deal with is another factor to consider whene using raid ant and roach killer. Note that some species might be more resistant than others.
Lastly, it is necesary to take the necessary precautions when using a raid ant and roach killer. Follow the guidelines on the can’s label to avoid damaging the environment or affecting your pets.
What Kills Gnats Instantly?
Aerosol insecticides are the best products that kill gnats instantly. Using the recommended insecticide guarantees effective results because most have residual action. Today, aerosol insecticides kill different fly species quickly.
Nonetheless, here are three remedies that kill gnats instantly.
Homemade traps
Using a mixture of apple cider, dishwashing detergent, and vinegar are effective in killing gnats. Pour the mixture into a bowl and cover it with polythene paper with tiny holes. The vinegar has a pungent smell that attracts gnats, and when they land inside the bowl, they will be trapped and drown.
Using sticky flypaper traps
Flypaper traps are the most common technique used to trap and kill gnats. The glue on the paper attracts gnats, and they stick after landing.
Vacuuming
Vacuuming is another technique for capturing and killing gnats. After vacuuming, carefully dispose of the vacuum bag to prevent gnats from escaping.
Remember: Killing gnats is not effective in dealing with the problem permanently. For a permanent solution, you must deal with the cause of the infestation. These include eliminating stagnant water, decaying matter and storing fruits & vegetables correctly.
Do Gnats Lay Eggs?
Yes. Gnats lay eggs. These insects will lay hundreds of eggs in damp environments or around decaying organic matter in a few weeks. They prefer such areas because the larvae can have enough food to sustain them as they develop.
There are several gnat species. So, the location to lay eggs varies depending on the particular species.
Check around moist areas like compost piles or plant roots for gnat activity at home, . Typically, the eggs mature after a few days before maturing into adult gnats.
Always remember to eliminate all moisture sources at home to control the gnat population because these insects can rapidly increase to cause an infestation.
Do Gnats Turn Into Flies?
Gnats and flies belong to the same order; The Diptera. Meaning two-winged insects. In this group, you will find several other tiny insects that are distinct in multiple ways. Nonetheless, a gnat will never turn into a fly because they are two different insects.
A fully mature gnat is more tiny than a developing fly but delicate as flies. Moreover, many gnat species belong to different families in the wild. These include mushroom gnats, fungus gnats, and biting gnats/midges.
Flies, on the contrary, include several flying insects in different families. The most common include house flies, fruit flies, and horse flies.
Under close observation, you might think that gnats are small flies because of their minor physical appearances like eye, wing, and limb formation. Surprisingly, a gnat will not turn into a fly.
Lastly, both gnats and flies undergo four stages in their life cycle. Conversely, flies mature slower than gnats but grow larger than gnats.
What are Gnats Attracted to?
As discussed above, gnats are usually attracted to moist environments. However, you might also notice gnat activity around plants or items producing carbon dioxide. These tiny insects are common indoor pests because our homes provide the best environments for them to thrive.
Here is a breakdown to understand more about gnats.
Moist environments like stagnant water or damp soil attract gnats because of the adequate temperature.
Sweet fresh fruits and vegetables also attract gnats. You might spot gnats around fruity-smelling or ripening fruits in the kitchen. Also, if you do not store sugary or fermented liquids correctly, you might notice gnat activity around the area.
The garden is another favorite spot for gnats. Lawns with houseplants often have damp soil or decaying matter. So, these insects will be attracted to such spots during the day, And it would be best to check gnat activity around the garden before spraying insecticide.
A few gnat species are attracted to light. So, you might notice a few activities close to light bulbs at night.
Like mosquitoes, gnats are attracted to carbon dioxide. Living things, including humans and animals, inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. So, gnats will fly around areas with many people or pets.
Do Gnats Bite Humans?
Unlike all mosquito species that bite, not all gnat species bite. Most species do not bite. The most common species that bite humans are the biting midge. This species is tiny and thrives in most parts of the world. However, you can find it in humid environments.
Carbon dioxide, moisture, and warmth are a few factors that attract the biting midge. So, humans are their best hosts. Furthermore, biting midges deliver an uncomfortable and itchy bite which can occasionally cause allergies in humans.
Other species, like fungus gnats, do not bite. However, they can be a bother if you do not control their growth. Fungus gnats also thrive well around houseplants.
So, you should understand a few steps to protect yourself from gnat bites.
- Always wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, and socks to reduce skin exposure when near biting midge environment.
- Use the recommended insecticides or insect repellants to control the gnat population in your home. The ideal repellant should contain Picaridin or Deet formula.
- Avoid spending too much time outside in case of a biting gnat outbreak. Gnats are more active at dusk and dawn.
- Drain all stagnant water and clogged gutters to avoid continuous breeding.
- Prevent outdoor gnats from entering your home by keeping doors and windows shut.
- Use treated nets when sleeping
How to Get Rid of Gnats?
Gnats can rapidly multiply if you do not control their numbers. These tiny flying insects will raid your kitchen space if you do not know how to store sweet-smelling fruits and vegetables. The most common approach is to identify the source of the infestation and deal with it permanently.
Gants are usually attracted to decaying organic matter and moist environments. So, it is necessary to understand how to get rid of gnats effectively.
Here are the most effective techniques to use.
You will find fungus gnats around potted plants, and their larvae thrive in moist conditions like these. To eliminate them, allow the soil in your plants to dry out or avoid over-fertilizing. Alternatively, you can use sticky traps to capture and kill adult gnats.
Drain or sewer gnats thrive around drains, septic tanks, or areas with stagnant water. Remove all potential breeding sites and repair leaks or spills to eliminate them. Also, keep drainage pipes clean and use insecticidal foams to kill adult gnats and their larvae.
Fruit flies are often attracted to moist organic matter and fermenting/sweet fruits and vegetables. To eliminate them, keep your kitchen clean and free of over-ripe fruits. Store vegetables in the refrigerator and correctly dispose of organic matter. Alternatively, use sticky or vinegar traps to capture and kill adult flies.
Generally, good sanitation helps to control gnat population and prevent them from returning. Apart from using commercial insecticides to deal with severe gnat infestation, you can try the above-discussed approaches. These techniques are cost-effective and guarantee effective & fast results.
Conclusion
It is always good to eliminate gnats or other pests before they invade your home. To do so, eliminate all potential attractants using the correct raid product for effective results. Also, you should know how to store fruits and keep surfaces clean to keep gnats away.