“These pests are attracted to moisture, so you may see swarms in areas with damp soils, standing water, or even houseplants that have been overwatered,” Ludwiczak adds. “The breeding habits of gnats are most active during warmer months, which is why they seem to be especially prevalent during summer.”
Gnats are attracted to moisture, so you're most likely to encounter them in the summer months—they often hang out in moist areas of your home like your kitchen drain or potted soil. That also means factors like food spills, unsealed garbage cans, or potted houseplants can all contribute to an infestation.
The warmer weather is the perfect time for many insects to breed and seek shelter inside your home -- especially gnats. FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Have you noticed more bugs than usual lately?
Every year, it seems like gnats are getting worse and worse. Mainly a springtime pest, these little insects emerge as the winter thaws, and they are attracted to moisture. Gnat population could simply be attributed to how moist an environment is. The more rain and precipitation, the more gnats you're likely to have.
Bleach Your Drains
If you notice gnats around your kitchen sink or bathtub, pour a cup of diluted bleach down the drain to kill the gnats. Be sure to pour the cup of bleach down each drain or garbage disposal very slowly until there are no more gnats in your line of sight.
Or, you can switch up your favorite scent with something they don't like. Try Lighting citronella candles, using lemon or vanilla sprays. While gnats are a fan of sweet-smelling fruit, they can't seem to stand vanilla, lemon, or even lavender. A little spritz can at least keep them at bay.
Keep gnats from getting in your home in the first place in by sealing up cracks, holes and crevices in your doors, walls, windows and foundation. Repair or replace window screens with tears or rips. Put food and beverages away after meals and clean up spills. Don't leave pet food out and wash pet bowls daily.
Gnats are seasonal; they are a springtime pest. Once we get consistent summer weather, they will go away. Their life cycle is short - usually mid-May to late June is when we see gnats.
If you continue to have appealing habitats for gnats in your home, no, they will not likely go away on their own. If you remove old food and beverages, take out the trash and are sure to eliminate high-moisture environments an infestation may subside.
They are primarily attracted to sweet and fruity scents, but many species of gnats are also drawn to water and body heat, which is why they tend to fly around both people and pets. Perspiration and even the moisture of your eyes and nose can draw in gnats.
Do gnats go away on their own? No, it's unlikely that gnats will go away on their own once they start reproducing. You will need to take proper measures to get rid of them, such as putting away your fruits, flushing out your drains, or changing the soil in your indoor plants' pots.
Breath, Sweat & Tears
A gnat is always searching for moisture and salt, which are found in sweat and tears. Unfortunately, the pests are vectors for pink eye. They are also drawn to the smell of bad breath and to the carbon dioxide people expel when exhaling.
These tiny bugs serve as an important food source for many animals, including birds, bats and large insects, the Washington Post(Opens in a new window) reports. In addition, they help pollinate plants and flowers.
They lay their eggs in moist soil or decaying fruit which the larva eats before hatching. Gnats can lay 100's of eggs so your infestation problem will get worse unless it's handled quickly.
Adults emerge from the pupal case in 5 to 6 days and live for about 7 days. Adult fungus gnats are 2.5-3.5 mm long, grayish to black, slender, mosquito-like, and have long legs, antennae, and one pair of wings.
Fungus gnat adults may live from about one to two weeks and complete one life cycle in about 18-30 days. Moth fly adults live for about 14 days and complete their life cycle in about 7-21 days.
Gnats are preyed upon by all kinds of different animals, including frogs, reptiles, small mammals, birds, fish, spiders, and other insects. They have few defenses against predators except for their flying ability, but they are not often strong flyers.
Only females bite since they require a blood meal to produce eggs. (Males feed on plants.) Gnats are active mostly during the day, especially around mid-morning and dusk.
Outdoors, gnats are generally most active during the mid-morning and at dusk. They're also attracted to light and may swarm lampposts or porch lights.
Dryer sheets can also be used to protect houseplants from annoying pests. Since they have been proven to repel fungus gnats, placing several dryer sheets near your houseplants could protect them from these root-eating pests.
In a small bowl, mix a half cup of warm water plus two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, a tablespoon of sugar, and about six drops of liquid dish soap. Gnats will be lured in by the sugary mixture, but once they dip in for a drink, the sticky dish soap will trap them.
Get rid of moisture sources
Usually getting rid of the sources of moisture will solve the issue of gnats in a bedroom. For gnats, specifically, this includes checking drains and under the sink, and other areas that might collect water mixed with other organic matter, including plants.
Deter Insects
We may be fans of Vicks, but insects decidedly are not. Dab a bit on your arms, legs, neck, or other areas of exposed skin to keep bugs (including mosquitoes) at bay, however, it is not as effective at preventing bites as a commercial insect repellant.