How to Get Rid of Gnats Outside (Fast & Easy)

How to Get Rid of Gnats Outside (Fast & Easy)
Image Credit: Pixabay

Gnats are modest, traveling bugs. They can be current inside of the property, but outside the property, they have a tendency to be a lot more of a nuisance. Some kinds of gnat can bite, they can swarm around your head, and it can be difficult to discover the source, let alone management the volume of these insects about your property.

What Are Gnats?

There are diverse varieties of gnat. Identifying the type that is swarming around your lawn and flying into your ears and eyes can support discover the most effective signifies of gnat handle. Right here are five of the most widespread species:

  • Fungus Gnats – These are, as the name suggests, attracted to fungus and they live off fungi and plant roots. They can grow up to approximately 1¾ inch, live up to a month, and most commonly live indoors around the light of windows and lamps, but they can be a real problem in conservatories and other areas that have a lot of soil and light. Fungus gnats don’t tend to bite but are a nuisance.
  • Drain Flies – Drain flies look like tiny moths. Adults grow to around ¼ inch in length, and their tiny size makes them difficult to spot. They reproduce and live in any area where there is decaying matter, primarily in pipes and sewers. They swarm in large numbers, don’t bite, and don’t usually spread disease despite spreading bacteria.
  • Midges – Common around swampy and damp areas, midges are not only a nuisance, this is one species of gnat that does bite. The midge extracts blood from humans and animals. They can grow to ⅛ inch and usually feed on plant nectar. Fortunately, the midge usually only lives for two or three weeks.
  • Sand Flies – The sandfly is another variant of gnat that bites and irritates humans, with most bite victims experiencing a rash around the bite site. Some people may suffer from a fever after getting bitten. The sandfly lives in hot areas and the female feeds off blood before laying eggs. The lifecycle of a sandfly lasts approximately one month and an adult can grow to approximately ⅛ inch.
  • Eye Gnats – The disgustingly named eye gnat is attracted to tears and the liquid secretions of the eyes. As such, they gather around the eyes, and also the noses, of their prey. They live for about a month and they do eat blood, as well as eye secretion, so they can be a problem for you and other humans.
How to Get Rid of Gnats Outside (Fast & Easy)
Image Credit: MarcOliver_Artworks, Shutterstock

How To Get Rid Of Gnats

The ideal method to fight gnats is to discover the sort of insect you’re dealing with and then use this details to locate the resource of food or protein that they’re captivated to and removing it from the atmosphere. Nevertheless, it is not often feasible to determine the genus. In any case, following these measures can aid you to rid yourself of a gnat plague from your property.

  • Dry Moist Areas – Several variants of gnat are attracted to damp conditions. There’s nothing you can do to control the weather, but you can clear drainpipes and downspouts and ensures that areas high in condensation are not too moist. Avoid overwatering outdoor plants, and try to remove any excess moisture from planters. Fork and provide irrigation in plant beds that do not drain.
  • Fix Leaks – Leaking pipes are a major cause of moisture and dampness. Whether it is clean water or dirty water, it will collect around the leak. Even the cleanest water will, eventually, develop algae and can attract gnats as well as other insects and animals to the area. Fix leaks as soon as you notice you have one. Not only will this help control a gnat infestation but it can reduce water loss and control water spend.
  • Maintain Pipes and Sewers – Even if your pipes and sewer are not leaking, poor pipe maintenance means that moisture and bacteria may be allowed to collect, and this can attract the small flying pests. Ensure that grates are clear and that pipe exits are clean and well maintained. Sewers should be regularly cleared and cleaned to offer further cleanliness and to reduce gnats and other pests.
  • Clean Up Mess – Everything from dog mess to fallen fruit can attract gnats and other flying insects. Fallen fruit can also attract wasps and other unwanted visitors, so clearing these up quickly and before they start to rot, when they become most appealing to insects, is a good idea. Similarly, ensure that garbage is cleared away and kept shut away if it must be kept outdoors.
  • Reduce Lighting – You don’t have to remove lighting, but you should look at alternative bulbs or alternative light sources. You will notice, especially as the light starts to dim, that gnats are attracted to light sources. They swarm around bulbs. Replace bright lights with low wattage bulbs or use bug light bulbs that are proven to attract fewer insect visitors.

How Do You Stop Gnats from Flying Around You?

There are also certain actions you can consider to quit biting gnats from feeding on you. Barrier security indicates sporting clothes or other things that quit the bugs from reaching your most appealing locations. Some gnats like necks, other folks like eyes, and some decide for hair. This means wearing sun shades, tops that cover your neck region, and hats. You can also try out insect repellants, even though numerous normal substances might also help to discourage gnats. Lemon, vinegar, vanilla extract, and cedarwood oil are some of the most generally employed natural cures that have proven efficient.

How to Get Rid of Gnats Outside (Fast & Easy)
Image Credit: Pixabay

Can You Feel a Gnat Bite?

Gnats are extremely small and, in most situations, you will not at first recognize a gnat bite. However, the location is likely to turn out to be infected and irritated. It might swell or rash, at which level, it will become obvious.

Can Gnats Lay Eggs in Your Skin?

Gnats lay eggs in the soil, damp environments, and in areas like drainpipes, typically. They do not lay eggs in the skin.

How Long Do Gnats Live?

Distinct species of gnats have distinct existence expectations, and these can differ from a handful of days to a thirty day period or far more. Environmental and temperature problems can also impact how long a distinct kind of gnat lives.

What Smells Do Gnats Hate?

There are numerous natural items that customers say will prevent gnats. These contain vanilla and lemon, even though not all smells will operate with all varieties of gnat, and even if they perform for one individual, they may not operate for one more.

How To Get Rid Of Gnats Outside

The first action to eradicating a gnat dilemma is to determine the type of gnat that you’re working with. You can also get rid of moist places, make sure that any rubbish and rotting food or other squander is cleared up, and avoid overwatering gardens or leaving other areas that give the gnats someplace to breed and reside. You can also use barrier methods to prevent gnats from acquiring on you, while some all-natural goods like vanilla extract might work to discourage the traveling pests.


Highlighted Graphic: Pixabay

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