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How To Get Rid of Things: Forums » Pest Control

1. michatmaster7 (Member)

   Ok, so I use the term "gnat" loosely, as described in your article. During the day when the sun is out, I don't see bugs in the house at all. We live on the 2nd floor of a 2 story apartment building, and we just happen to be right on the river (which is brackish water). At night, we turn the lights on inside (of course). I notice little flying bugs attracted to the lights. I call them gnats, but mostly they all look the same and are too large to be no-see-ums. I try to have the windows open to conserve electricity, especially when a nice breeze is coming through.

   That was until the night I was in the back bedroom on the computer, playing a game, when I non-chalantly took a great big drink... only to my dismay when I saw out of the corner of my eye, a gnat had landed in my glass (low-concentrate of white grape and water).

   Now the only thing I have been able to do so far is to close all the windows when the sun goes down and turn on the air conditioning. That helps keep them out.... but is sorta backwards. I'd rather NOT use the air...

   I found a product at the local farm store called CV-80 mfg by Waterbury Country Vet. I heard people say they spray it on their screens and it keeps the bugs away for awhile... but upon reading the product label, it looks pretty dangerous.

   What else can I do?

   Posted 4 months ago #

2. samoya22 (Jonathan)

   Off the top of my head, michatmaster7, I would replace the screens in your home with a smaller mesh. I would also check your window frames to make sure you don't have any crevices, cracks, or gaps between the fittings for your window screens and the window frame. Also, check your screen door (the smaller mesh screen advice applies here as well) for cracks and gaps.

   A little weather stripping goes a long way if you have gaps that can't be sealed with plain old caulk.

   If all else fails, have you thought about putting citronella candles next to your windows? Really, there isn't much you can do to stop gnats from getting in aside from putting money down on better barriers. Yes?

   Posted 4 months ago #

3. michatmaster7 (Member)

   I will look into the smaller mesh for the screens, etc. We live in an apartment complex, so not sure how they would feel about it. I dismissed the idea at first because of less airflow through the apartment when the windows ARE open and the time and money it will cost to get it all done. Not to mention that here in Florida, the windows are only open a few months of the year - since the air is almost always on in the summer.

   I purchased some garden-safe spray that is a 3-in-1: Fungicide, Insecticide & Miticide that I have been spraying every day on the house plant and the outdoor plants (we have to bring them in during bad weather). I also put out a dish with vinegar and a little dish soap, but it hasn't caught anything yet. Aside from fly strips, are there any other solutions to taking care of the bugs that might already BE inside? Mostly I have resorted to closing the windows at dusk and turning the air on (even if I don't need to), just to keep the bugs out...

   I may justhave to invest in some citronella candles, but do they really work?

   Posted 4 months ago #

4. samoya22 (Jonathan)

   You know, if they're already in the house, you may be dealing with flies breeding in your drains or water pipes. I would try pouring some baking soda down your drains, followed by a cup of vinegar or two. Not only will you be preemptively unclogging your drains, but any flies that might be setting up shop will be killed.

   As for flies that are simply getting into your home: I can't think of a better way to catch them than with a fly strip. I wish there was a miracle solution I invented, but there isn't.

   Citronella does work in some instances, but much of the evidence concerning their effectiveness is anecdotal. So, do they work? I've used them to keep mosquitoes away, and I can tell you that I think it works. But that's subjective, and I might have simply "felt" that they were working, when they really weren't.

   One question: do you have porch lights that you can change? If you have porch lights, I would recommend switching from plain white bulbs to a low pressure sodium bulb. Sodium bulbs tend to attract fewer bugs than plain white bulbs.

   Perhaps even putting blinds up at night to help keep light from filtering through your windows (thus attracting less flies) would help?

   Let us know how things turn out.

   Posted 4 months ago #

5. getagrip (Member)

   Potted plants? Un sterilized soil? Fungus gnats? or drain flies..

   Posted 3 weeks ago #

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