Summer is the time of year when bugs like gnats and mosquitoes are easily found in your yard, garden and within your living space. Knowing how to get rid of gnats is very important because of sanitary concerns that large amounts of fungus gnats can create, but they are also down-right annoying and frustrating. The small compact size of these bugs enables them to easily travel just about anywhere they want, even from underneath your house to inside your kitchen.
As soon as you start seeing gnats on your property, it is important that you do something about it as quickly as possible. These bugs can multiply by the thousands in no time at all, and your house and/or backyard can be filled with gnats in a matter of days. The first thing that you should do is remove any water puddles that are within your home or on your property. Water that is left standing will serve as an open invite to any bugs that would otherwise have no place to go. Gnats require moisture in order to lay their eggs, so the first and most important step in getting rid of gnats is eliminating any sources of water or moisture.
A clogged drain or garbage disposal is the perfect place for gnats to reproduce. An old tire or bucket that collects some rainwater would also work just as well. Overwatered patches of grass, leaking hoses or pipes underneath the house can all be the water source that is behind the gnat problem you are experiencing inside or out. The moisture in a piece of fruit or other food that has been left out is also a big contributor to gnat populations - washing dishes promptly and returning food to the fridge can greatly help.
Another leading cause of gnats is indoor houseplants. Fungus and mold grows in the soil and around the roots of the plant after being watered. Most indoor plants don't get enough sunlight, so it is very easy to overwater them and create mold and a moist place for gnats to lay their eggs. Taking care to move these plants to areas of the inside or outside of the house each day so that they can get sun on their leaves and soil will help, as well as avoiding watering too much or too often. Also, make sure that there is sufficient drains in the bottom of the pot and that the pot is lifted enough to allow excess water to exit the pot.
Mosquito Barrier is a natural insect repellent that is made using a special strain of garlic. Using this product to spray your lawn and plants outside, as well as any pots and plants that you keep indoors is an extremely effective way to get rid of gnats.