While midges may not be harmful, they are annoying. Fortunately, there are many ways to get rid of these pesky insects without expensive, store-bought products. You can remove mosquitoes with apple cider vinegar, soap, sugar, or bleach. After that, keep the kitchen clean so that the midges don't start up again. If gnats bother you on the street, there are some simple tools you can use to scare them away.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Deal with a midge infestation
Step 1. Prepare a mixture of apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and dish soap to catch gnats
Take 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon (12 grams) of sugar, ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) of dish soap, and ½ cup (120 milliliters) of warm water. Mix everything in a small bowl and place it in the room where the gnats have started. Leave the bowl overnight and empty it the next morning. Repeat as many times as needed.
The smell of sugar and apple cider vinegar will attract midges into the bowl. As a result, they will fall into the lather and drown in the water
Advice
red wine and dishwashing detergent can be used for the same purpose. Muses will be attracted by the smell of wine, they will fall into the lather and drown in a glass or bowl.
Step 2. Squeeze a banana in a bowl and cover it with plastic wrap to catch the midges
Rotting fruits are attracted to mosquitoes and can be used to trap them. Simply crush a banana in a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and poke small holes in the plastic with a fork. The midges attracted by the banana scent will penetrate these holes into the bowl and will not be able to get out of it.
This method will not necessarily help kill gnats, so throw the banana along with the plastic wrap in your street trash can. You can even use a disposable bowl to then discard the entire trap
Step 3. Dilute the bleach and pour it into the drain holes if the gnats are near them
Dilute ½ cup (120 ml) bleach with 4 liters of water and slowly pour the mixture into the drain. The diluted bleach will kill the midges in there. Repeat this daily until the gnats are completely eliminated.
A warning
when handling bleach, use a gauze bandage and protective gloves. It is also advisable to wear old clothes in case you accidentally splash the bleach.
Step 4. Spray the midges with a mixture of water, vinegar and dish soap
In a clean spray bottle, combine 1 cup (240 ml) water, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) vinegar, and ¼ teaspoon (1.2 ml) dish soap. As soon as you spot gnats, spray them with this mixture.
This non-toxic agent is great for getting rid of gnats. It is harmless to things, houseplants, pets and children
Step 5. Get rid of midges with a candle and a bowl of soapy water
Pour some water into a bowl or tray, add about ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) of dish soap, and place a candle in it. Light a candle, draw the curtains and turn off the lights. The light of the candle (or its reflection off the water) will attract gnats. The fire of a candle will scorch their wings, and if they get into soapy water, they will drown in it.
A warning
never leave a burning candle unattended or place this trap near moving fabric items (such as curtains) or where it could be knocked over.
Method 2 of 3: Eliminate what attracts gnats
Step 1. Discard any fruit that has started to rot and store it in the refrigerator
Midges love slightly rotten fruits, the smell of which attracts them. Try to keep fruit in the refrigerator. If you find that fruits on the table start to rot or attract insects, throw them away or put them in compost.
Likewise, if you are collecting food waste for compost, do not leave an open bucket or bowl in the kitchen. Cover them or keep the compost outside
Step 2. Keep your kitchen sink clean and wash dishes on time
Midges prefer moist places, especially if there are food debris. Wash the dishes or put them in the dishwasher immediately after eating. At the very least, try to wash the dishes and sink at the end of the day so that leftovers do not attract gnats.
- Do not leave cooked food on the table for more than 30 minutes. Store food in tightly sealed containers as soon as possible and refrigerate.
- If you have a food waste disposer, run it after washing the dishes so that no food debris accumulates in it.
Step 3. Take out the trash every day if it contains food debris
You may not have to throw your trash out every day in rooms that are free of food debris, but you should take out the kitchen bin every day to prevent gnats from getting in.
If you have street trash cans, make sure that they are not standing under the very windows, otherwise midges attracted by the garbage can fly into the house
Advice
Purchase trash cans with tight-fitting lids. Midges can easily grow in open trash cans. At the same time, tight-fitting trash bins prevent midges from reaching leftover food.
Step 4. Move the plants with wet soil outside if they attract gnats
If you find gnats swarming around a houseplant, the potting soil is too wet and should be dried a little. Expose the plant outside, in a garage or shed for a few days to dry out the soil. If that doesn't work, you can transplant the plant into fresh soil.
On the other hand, some plants keep gnats away. They can be kept in pots indoors or planted outdoors if midges bother you there. Plants such as geranium, lemon-scented thyme, lavender and marigolds are good at repelling mosquitoes
Method 3 of 3: Outdoor gnat repellents
Step 1. Put an antistatic tissue in your pocket to scare off midges outside
Choose a scented napkin such as lavender or lemon balm. Simply put the tissue in your pocket or loop through the belt loop to keep the midges away.
- An antistatic napkin will scare away not only midges, but also mosquitoes.
- If you don't have a suitable pocket or belt loop, you can pin the napkin to your clothing. It may look a little ugly, but this way you can scare off midges!
Step 2. Apply a few drops of vanilla extract to your skin before leaving your home
It turns out that midges can't stand the smell of vanilla! Mix ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) vanilla extract with ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) water. Soak the mixture on a cotton ball and apply it to your neck, wrists, collarbone, and ankles.
If you're going to be outdoors for a long time, bring a small container of vanilla extract with you to use throughout the day
Step 3. Use peppermint cream as a natural repellent
In a small, clean container, combine ½ cup (120 ml) shea butter and 4-6 drops of peppermint essential oil. Rub the cream on the palms, hands, neck, legs and other exposed areas.
If you don't have shea butter, you can use another unscented moisturizer instead
Advice
rosemary, cedar, or geranium oil will do.
Step 4. Put on sunglasses and a bandana if you are going to go where there might be gnats
Sometimes you can stumble upon a swarm of midges in the most unexpected place. To prevent midges from getting into your eyes, mouth and nose, wear sunglasses and cover your face with a bandana. You can remove them after you get out of the midge-infested area.
While gnats are harmless as they don't bite or carry disease, they are annoying and can ruin a wonderful day. Prepare well for going outside, especially if there are stagnant water sources nearby
Advice
- The best way to deal with gnats is to prevent them from appearing. However, if there are midges in your home, you will need 2-3 days to get rid of them.
- If gnats bother your pet, try sprinkling it with a mixture of apple cider vinegar and water. When doing this, do not forget to cover the eyes of the animal to avoid irritation!