You’re getting ready to brush your teeth before heading off to work. But, as you get your toothbrush ready and turn on the faucet, you hear a faint buzzing near your ear. The next thing you know, the buzzing stops as something lands on your face. And then the buzzing starts all over again as you feel little wings tickle your face. Have you experienced this scenario before? When it comes to pests, few can be as annoying or as difficult to get rid of as gnats. Once these buzzing menaces show up in your home, they multiply rapidly and try to make it their home. This can include infesting all sorts of areas, including your sink. If you have been trying to get rid of gnats in your drain, the professionals at Arceneaux Pest Management Service would like to help. Learn more about gnats and how to get rid of them with Arceneaux.
What Are Drain Gnats?
The tiny winged insects that gravitate toward drains are known by several different names. Some call them drain flies or sink flies. To others, they’re known as filter flies and even sewer gnats. But, whatever you choose to call them, they are opportunistic pests that can quickly take over an area if they are allowed. Belonging to the psychodidae family, some types have short bodies and a furry sort of appearance. This is also why some choose to call them moth flies.
What Attracts Them to Drains?
One of the unique characteristics of drain gnats is that they often turn sewer pipes, shower drains, and bathroom sinks into their home. This is because these locations create perfect habitats where drain gnats can thrive. They receive access to water in and around the pipes. And, they feed on the bacteria and sludge buildup in and around the pipes as a primary food source. This is why dank, unclean pipes and drainage systems can make especially appealing environments for these pests.
How to Get Rid of Gnats in a Drain
Naturally, if you have gnats in your drain, you want to know how to get rid of them—and fast! The following tips can help you take care of your gnat problem and reclaim your home.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Weekly drain cleaning can not only give you a cleaner home, but it can also keep gnats out. When you clean your drains, it destroys much of the bacteria drain gnats depend on for their survival.
To get started, pour ½ of a cup of hydrogen peroxide into the drain. When it reacts with the bacteria in the drain, you should notice foam bubbling up. The hydrogen peroxide should kill adult gnats as well as their eggs.
Baking Soda Solution
For an alternative method, pour ½ cup salt down the drain where the gnats appear to be coming from. Next, pour ½ of a cup of baking soda down the drain as well. Finally, pour one cup of plain white vinegar. Like the peroxide method, this solution will also begin to foam up. It can then clean the drain while killing the invasive insects as well as their eggs and larvae in the process.
Apple Cider Vinegar Trap
This can be a good additional measure for eliminating remaining adults that the previous pouring methods didn’t get rid of. Pour about an inch of apple cider vinegar in a glass and a small amount of dish soap into water. Lastly, cover the top of the glass with a funnel. The apple cider vinegar can draw the flies in while the soap and funnel keep them from escaping.
Keep Your Life Pest-Free
Hopefully this quick “get rid of gnats in a drain” guide has helped you get a handle on your pest problem. But, if you’re still having trouble, or if you’re dealing with another kind of pest, it’s time to get in touch with us! Call 225-791-9911 or contact us online to get started. Don’t share your home with spiders, insects, or rodents another day! Show them the door with help from the pest pros at Arceneaux.
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