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Homemade Organic Pesticides for Gnats
Homemade Organic Pesticides for Gnats. Gnats and midges are common names for many types of small, nonbiting flies. They develop in standing water and feed on decaying plants. Adult gnats often swarm at dusk during their mating cycle. They are attracted to light and land on people nearby. Gnats do not bite. Swarming gnats mate, lay eggs and die...
Gnats and midges are common names for many types of small, nonbiting flies. They develop in standing water and feed on decaying plants. Adult gnats often swarm at dusk during their mating cycle. They are attracted to light and land on people nearby. Gnats do not bite. Swarming gnats mate, lay eggs and die within four to five weeks. They produce several generations during summer months and disappear when weather is dry.
Organic Cultural Controls
Gnats are more annoying than dangerous and are effectively controlled with cultural methods. Clean up all standing water and organic plant debris. Eliminate plumbing or irrigation system leaks. Avoid overwatering and provide good drainage in landscaped areas. Decomposing plant material, mulch and compost piles are favorite breeding grounds. Cover the compost pile. Put screens on all windows.
Natural Predators
Rove beetles and ground beetles feed on gnats and other small insects. Beneficial soil nematodes provide long-term control of gnat larvae. An organic biological pesticide made with Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis (Bti) can be applied to control fungus gnats in potting soil. It is a naturally occurring bacteria produced commercially through fermentation. Hypoaspis mites are also sold commercially as organic pesticide.
Sticky Traps
Yellow sticky traps are useful to reduce the number of gnats and other small flying insects. Gnats are attracted to the color yellow as they are to light. Yellow cardboard covered with petroleum jelly is a homemade remedy to trap the tiny flying insects. Fungus gnats are trapped when the yellow paper is laid horizontally across an affected area of potting soil.
Liquid Organic Pesticides
Vinegar or beer can attract and drown gnats outside or inside the house. Fill a glass halfway with either liquid. Gnats are attracted to the smell, dive in and drown. Potato cubes or slices are used to control fungus gnats in soil. Gnat larvae migrate to the potato slices to feed. Leave in place for four hours to determine the extent of the gnat infestation and treat the area appropriately. Pure vanilla extract dabbed onto skin or clothes also repels gnats and flies.
