Do gnats come out of the sink drains, if not, where do they come from?
Ed from Muldrow, OK
They come from the fruit from the store, and can come in through your screens. (05/19/2007)
By Andi
As has been mentioned, gnats come from fruit (bananas and tomatoes especially), but can also come into the house through doors and screens. I have never heard of them coming up through drains.
The main thing is not to leave fruits/veggies out that have started to soften. I've noticed several people here talking about eliminating the food. I can't personally do that because I don't refrigerate tomatoes or other fruits. I leave them out at room temperature (better flavor, and they stay fresh longer). That said, gnats are not a problem for us year round, only in the dead heat of summer.
When we've become infested we put a small amount (roughly 1/4 cup) of wine into a glass. The gnats enter the wine glass, go into the wine and drown. Red or white, makes no difference.
I personally will not use pest strips in my home, and I've never had any luck with the vinegar method, but I know others who swear by it.
*I see it's already been mentioned, but there is a variety of gnat that can be traced to the wet soil of houseplants. (05/20/2007)
By Carole
A few months back I had the same problem it went on for a few weeks I tried everything mentioned above. One day my hubby asked about my liquid hand soap It was an Organic FRUIT blend! I pitched the soap and 24 hrs later the gnats were gone! (05/21/2007)
By dottyj.
Have you tried a Venus fly trap? (05/21/2007)
By Red
Just FYI, the gnat problem is also aggravated by damp soil in houseplants. (05/21/2007)
By Cindy Irby
We get gnats in the summer because of our garden and what I've found to work is this light we bought at WalMart for under $20. It's not a zapper kind, the gnats are attracted to the light but when they get to close they get stunned and fall into this cup, and die. I put mine on every night and clean it out every morning and I've always caught a lot. It really helped for us. The vinegar and wine does work, but I have kids and cats that get into cups or bowls left on the counter so the light works the best for us. (05/22/2007)
By bambi2003.
Hi,
North Texas has gotten a lot of rain this spring. I've never had a gnat or fly problem before.
I read several posts, and what has worked for me is putting pest strips outside house entrances. sticky tapes on inside windows, and vinegar with a few drops of dish washing detergent is little bowls all over the house.
I experimented with closing off the bathroom for two nights and stopping up the sinks to see if they were coming out of the drains. None did. That doesn't mean they don't. But when I checked the outside strips they were covered with gnats and a few flies.
I have concluded that many get in from opening doors, accidentally letting them get into produce plastic bags from the grocery, and living near a wet area.
Also, this is the first year I created a garden outside my front door and put down cedar mulch.
So, after aggressive measures aforementioned, the problem is about 95% better. (06/21/2007)
By Myra
I tried alcohol in a spray bottle and it works the best about killing on contact however Im looking for something permanent.. (06/21/2007)
By Kitten
Are we talking about gnats or fruit flies? I know fruit flies are very small flies that have wings which you can see and they congregate on fruit. In FL we call gnats the tiny black specks that bite and are usually outdoors. Which one are we talking about? (08/17/2007)
By Nan Corpe
Have these gnats in my bathtub and some in the toilet water. Tried baking soda and white vinegar to no avail. Will try apple cider vinegar w/soap. Help - any other suggestions? (08/29/2007)
By Martha
Help. I have gnats and I can't get rid of them. They are awful in my kitchen around my sink. I have tried bleach down the sink, but it doesn't seem to work. I don't have standing water or dishes in my sink either! HELP, they are nasty! P.S. Never had them before now either! (09/10/2007)
By Renee'
Help. I have bought hot spot gnat killer and also I have put bleach down all my drains. I have also spent money on some pest control gnat/ fruit fly traps which seem to be apple cider vinegar thats all in a little container and I put that out and now it seems I have more gnats then I started with PLEASE someone give me some advice I hate them and Im sick of them! Renee Thomas, Ohio (09/17/2007)
By Renee
Thank you so much for the apple cider vinegar and dawn soap suggestion. I tried it today and it works! (10/15/2007)
By Kate
I tried the vinegar and dawn and it worked but the smell was so strong, I couldn't stand it. I put a few ounces of Strawberry Margarita into a glass and covered it with a baggie. Then I poked a hole with my finger in the baggie and pushed it down almost into the drink but not quite all the way. It doesn't smell and it really catches them. I also tried the bleach, the vinegar and baking soda etc. None of them worked. I finally used straight ammonia and boiling water. That worked great. They are gone. Also, it helps to buy drain plugs for all of your drains. Keep them plugged in while not in use. It will help to keep the gnats out that were not in the drain when you put the ammonia in. (11/16/2007)
By Leslie B
Help! I live in Mississippi and I have problems with gnats in my bathroom and I see them coming in my room and my living room but majority of them in my bathroom. I don't see any in my kids room or kitchen. (12/11/2007)
By Freda
I put ice cubes in garbage disposal several time. I put hot soapy water in drain. I used a vinegar trap. I have put ammonia, bleach, vinegar, you name it down the sink. That's where they come from. Why can't I eliminate where they are laying eggs? I got a product called Darin Gel that eliminates organic matter from drains, and it seemed to work. Used it 2 night yet still had some gnats, just fewer. Didn't do it last night and there were more of them.. I just cleaned my waste basket which does not seem to be attracting them, but am leaving no stone unturned. What can I do that I haven't tried? Insecticide won't kill them. (12/22/2007)
By Kim
I do not know exactly where the gnats came from. They were just here one day! I've tried flying insect sprays, etc. None of that worked. Tried waiting until it got extremely cold and I didn't turn my heat on hoping to freeze them out! They are still here! ugh! help, please! (02/20/2008)
By Teri
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