After scrubbing the drain, bring a pot of water to a near boil, then pour it down the drain to clear the debris you’ve scraped. Bleach, ammonia, vinegar, and other cleaning products won’t cut through deposits in your drain pipes.
After letting the cleaner sit, pour near-boiling water down the drain. Foaming products work better than liquid cleaners. If you’re concerned about putting chemicals down your drain, there are eco-friendly, non-toxic enzymatic drain cleaners available. [3] X Research source
Bleach, ammonia, vinegar, and other household products can erode pipes, especially older cast iron pipes. Additionally, cleaning products can react with other chemicals in your pipes. A harmful reaction could produce dangerous fumes or pressure strong enough to burst a pipe. Don’t pour insecticide down the drain, as harsh pesticides can have negative environmental impacts. [4] X Research source
After you fill your can or jar, you could seal the lid and poke small holes in it with a nail or screw. That way, any gnats that don’t drown in the vinegar can’t escape. You could also cut a 2 liter (0. 53 US gal) plastic bottle in half, and add vinegar to the bottom half. Place the top, or the part with the narrow nozzle, upside down into the base. It should look like a funnel when you’re done. Gnats will follow the vinegar scent to find their way into the trap, but they’ll have a hard time getting out through bottle’s narrow top. If you don’t have apple cider vinegar on hand, any type of vinegar will do. Other effective baits include beer or mashed banana.
The next time you have friends over for drinks, pour an extra cup of wine with dish soap to keep gnats away from your guests’ glasses. Just make sure you clearly mark the cup that has dish soap to avoid confusion.
In order to eliminate gnats completely, you’ll need to combat all stages of their life cycle. Traps only kill adult gnats; they do nothing to fight eggs or larvae.
Always keep food in airtight containers stored in a closed cabinet or refrigerator. Keep your eye out for sneaky spills, such as a little fruit juice by the fridge or a forgotten onion in the back of the pantry. Unnoticed messes could breed thousands of gnats.
Avoid keeping full bags of trash in the house overnight. It’s wise to rinse out empty bottles and cans before throwing them in your recycling bin.
Some gnats are small enough to fit through mesh screens, so you might want to keep your windows closed, even if they’re screened.
Check the areas beneath kitchen and bathroom sinks, and repair any leaks you find. Keep your blinds and curtains open to let sunlight into your home. Daylight can help prevent dampness. You could also use a humidity monitor and dehumidifier to keep humidity levels in your home below 50%.
To test the soil, stick your finger about 1 to 2 inches (2. 5 to 5. 1 cm) into the surface. If dirt sticks to your finger, it’s probably best to hold off watering, unless your plants look sad. It’s also best to use containers with drainage holes in the bottom. If your pots sit on saucers that collect excess water, be sure to drain them after you water your plants.
Typically, you mix beneficial nematodes with water, then add the mixture to your soil. Check your product’s label for specific instructions. Beneficial nematodes are safe for people, plants, and pets, so try not to get grossed out or worry about harmful health effects.
While they’re more expensive, you can also purchase insecticidal plant soaps at a garden center. Using a homemade soap spray increases the risk of leaf damage. It’s wise to test the spray on a small area before spraying an entire plant. As a rule of thumb, if a soap dries out or irritates your skin, it’s probably too harsh for your plants.
Fill a new pot nearly to the top with fresh potting soil. Dig a hole in the center large enough to accommodate the roots, bury them, then cover them with soil. If your gnat problem persists after transplanting, you might need to resort to chemical treatment. Head to your local garden center for a plant-safe liquid insecticide labeled for flying insects.
