Simple 3 Step Gnat Trap
Updated: Nov. 28, 2022Attracted by wet soil, gnats love houseplants. To get rid of them, spread a little honey on bright yellow index cards.
How to Make Sticky Gnat Traps
Attracted by wet soil, gnats love houseplants. To get rid of them, spread a little honey on bright yellow index cards. Glue the card to a straw or chopstick and stick into the soil of the gnat’s favorite houseplants. Yellow attracts gnats because it’s the color of plants under stress whose defenses are weakened against predators. When the gnats come to investigate, they’ll get stuck in the honey.
Check out these 11 strategies for do-it-yourself pest control.
Next, check out these 15 essential products for people who hate bugs:
Non-Toxic Big Bag Fly Trap
If you'd prefer not to deal with dead bugs, this fly trap is for you. The design eliminates touching the bait or the bugs, is disposable, environmentally safe and has no chemicals, no mess and no sticky paper to deal with. You may also like these 11 strategies for DIY pest control.
Bug Off Instant Screen
Keep pesky bugs from infiltrating your home with this instant screen. It's a great option if you want to keep your front door open to let the cool air come in but don't have a screen door. You'll finally be able to enjoy your home in peace without those swarming black flies landing on you and your food every chance they get! If you have a damaged window or door screen, Family Handyman expert Rick Muscoplat will show you how to make a simple repair.
Diatomaceous Earth Powder Duster
The reviews for this product say it all. In fact, one Amazon reviewer perfectly explains the abilities of the duster! "Works great mechanically. Remove yellow cap. Scoop in diatomaceous earth. Hold with yellow cap down. Poof along where the rug meets the walls and under the bed and under the stove, etc. You can even poof into the air and then close the room door and let the fine white dust settle. Takes awhile to work. You have to be consistent and do this every week or so. Gradually the bugs begin disappearing. Then you have to keep doing it, because their eggs hatch. Finally, in six months or so, the project is finished (at least as far as we can see so far)." These critters didn't sign a lease and could be living rent-free and wreaking havoc in your attic. Here's how to spot them and evict them.
Pest Control Lantern
If you'd prefer to be more hands off with your bug killing, you might like this product. The bug zapper's bulb distributes Blu-ray. Because pests are attracted to a light source, particularly blue and purple, they will rush to this bulb. The high-voltage grille around the outside of the bulb ensures that when a bug touches it, it will be killed instantly! You may be surprised by which of these house bugs are actually helpful and which are downright dangerous.
Hot Shot No-Pest Strip
Clean, odorless, deep-penetrating vapor is distributed throughout this strip that can be hung up in garages, sheds, storage units, attics and crawl spaces occupied by people less than four hours per day. Just remove from the package to begin! Check out these 15 pest control horror stories that will make your skin crawl.
Ultrasonic Pest Repeller
Plug this repeller into an outlet and prepare to be amazed. Providing coverage for up to 800 to 1,300 square feet, it keeps away mice, rats, cockroach, ants, bugs, spiders, mosquitoes, flies, fleas and more annoying pests. It uses advanced ultrasonic technology waves to repel the pests. Amazon reviewers say the product is worth the purchase. "I found quite a lot of cockroaches and ants around my house recently, and I started searching different ultrasonic pest repellers online," one reviewer says. "I tried this brand and it works very well. I put one in my bedroom and the other one in my garden. So far I don't see any more cockroaches and ants."
Bug Zapper Racket
If you get bizarre satisfaction out of a classic fly swatter, you're going to want to get your hands on this bad boy. This electric zapper allows you to catch bugs mid-flight, offering a large surface and handy LED light that's ideal for use at night. Contrary to popular opinion, these often-tried remedies won't ward off mosquitoes.
Supernova Bug Trap
Bugs swirling around your kitchen is just infuriating! It's also very unappetizing. Keep the pests away with this product. It works best for catching gnats, fruit flies and mosquitoes, with the UV light luring them in, the fan keeping them in and the super sticky glue boards making sure they never escape. Here are the best ways to kill cockroaches.
Talstar Professional Bug Killer
Everything from spiders, mosquitoes, cockroaches, ticks and fleas to pillbugs, chinch bugs, earwigs and millipedes can be controlled with this product when diluted and dispensed with a sprayer. The multi-insecticide with bifenthrin is one of the most trusted and widely-used insecticides by pest control professionals today, and Amazon reviewers praise it! One reviewer said: "I have to literally sweep thousands of bodies of bugs off of the back patio, and my house has not one single insect on it. No webs, either. I can keep the backyard light on for my dog when he relieves himself and they won't even go anywhere near the light. I'd like to think what happened will be known as The Bugpocalypse. When bugs terrorizing other people hear about it they will spread the legend." The legend will strike fear into other bugs and they will not mess with 1708. Only the bravest of the brave, the largest of the large, the nastiest of the nasty insects will migrate here to continue the fight. And I hope they do come."
Concentrated Deep-Reach Fogger
Bomb those buggers to no man's land with this product! It penetrates into cracks and crevices to kill bugs where they live and breed, and keeps killing for up two months. Plus, it's non-staining and dry, so you won't have to deal with the usual wet, messy residue of other foggers.
Spectracide Bug Stop Home Barrier
Keep unwanted visitors at bay with this spray. It offers a continuous power sprayer with extendable wand, killing bugs on contact. You can use it indoors and as an outdoor foundation treatment to kill ants, roaches, spiders, fleas, centipedes, ticks and other insects. Okay, they might be overstating it a little. Here's what you need to know about getting rid of cluster flies.
Bug-A-Salt Gun
Kids and adults alike will get great joy out of using this plastic gun to eliminate pesky bugs! The shotgun works by shooting a spray of regular table salt to decimate flies on contact. We love the Bug Bite Thing too — we've tried it!
Fly Paper Insect Trap
Catch all kinds of flying insects with these fly paper traps. Houseflies, mosquitoes and other flying insects in your home, on the porch or patio and even in the garden will get caught if you have one of these fly traps in the area. You can even mount one on a tree trunk to catch gypsy moth caterpillars! A DIY fly trap is very easy to make. Here's what you need to know.
Fly Trap Hat
"I use this trick to keep those pesky flies from biting," says John Wojnas. "They go for the high spot and find their way onto the trap, which keeps them off my neck!" You'll finally be able to enjoy your morning coffee on the patio or a backyard drink at sunset in peace!"
Aunt Fannie's All-Purpose Pest Remedy
Powered by essential oils, this spray kills home-invading pests including ants, roaches and spiders. It's safe to use around kids and pets if you follow the directions. Amazon reviewers love it, with one person saying: "This stuff is awesome. It kills kitchen ants on contact and took care of this weird bug that kept right on going after being stomped on FOUR TIMES. A quick shot of this spray took it right out. It doesn't do anything for gnats, but spiders don't like it. It has a pleasant smell and I don't have to worry about using it around my kids and pets. I'll definitely be buying more." You may also be interested in how to make homemade cleaner with simple ingredients.
Originally Published: November 14, 2018
