The easiest and most fun solution for me has been Butterworts/Pinguicula plants. They are carnivorous plants with sticky dew (not the ones with little mouths). They trap and absorb any flying insects. They are super easy to grow, since they want permanently wet soil, which means never having to guess how much or when to water. They also have very pretty and abundant flowers (some of mine never stop flowering). I just have a few nestled between groups of plants and I can count the amount of gnats I've seen flying around in a year time on one hand. Notes on care: they prefer distilled water which is available in most grocery stores (also used for clothes irons), higher humidity gives them more dew, they like sunlight. Drosera/sundew plants function basically the same. They are slightly less effective for small gnats but do look spectacular especially when they have big dew droplets which are gorgeous (again: high humidity). Hope anyone with flying insects try them out!
Great advice and solutions. Gnats by the dozens showed up in my bathroom, had no idea it was because they had made my potted plant soil a breeding ground. Quick tap on the pot-it became very obvious.
great video Dan, also everybody should clean the drain pipes by pouring at least 1 cup of salt in the drain and pouring a 5 gallon bucket of very hot water down the drain all at once, do this a few times if you can, also check your kitchen sink pipes under the counter for small leaks and fix any leaks, tie food waste up in a small bag before putting in your trash and do not let your garbage stay in your kitchen for more than 2 days before you take out your trash,use a kitchen garbage bag that has a lid and keep it closed. I always put food waste in a separate grocery bag and tie it closed, my grandmother used to store all of her food scraps in the freezer until trash day.
These flies are very light too, remember circulation air will help! If you get flies in a bar for instance , put a fan blowing on all the plumbing lines under the sinks. It will help reduce the population!!
For fungus gnats in plants drying out soil will help but not for long, the main thing is not overwatering, not keeping the top moist. Drying out the plant completely will kill the adults but not kill the eggs once they get water again they will hatch but this mostly occurs on the top inch of soil. My tip would be to try to water the roots not the top, if you can bottom water that could be best. Also watering with water with soap in it will kill many of the flies inside the soil and some eggs this can help a ton with top watering situation (like germinating seeds). I have major experience with the fungus gnat in particular the gnat killers on the market do not work, what i mentioned i have tested many times over.
Leaky pipes will always attract fertile Myrtle the pesky fly. I’d be concerned about using any chemicals in a septic system though. Unless it says it’s “septic safe”. City sewer will be no problem though. 💪🏼😎👍🏼
Had virtually invisible biting midges in my apartment. Checked every drain, sealed up and sprayed the windows., kept food waste in the refrigerator, cleaned under oven/ refrigerator. Found out they were coming from AC. Didn't even really see evidence. Just figured this was the only thing left. Had a dirty torn filter when I moved in that wasnt fully covering the air entry point. Changed the filter. Ran ac for like a day straight. Finally getting some relief. Dont know if this is a permanent solution though. May have to get some professional help on this one.
what about flies that love cat litter and cat food? I'm running the AC, trying different kinds of litter, bought disposable dehumidifier products, scoop litter a lot (into a litter genie, which closes but does sit there for a few days which is kind of the point of it) and I take the trash and recycling out twice a week, the most possible where I live. I wipe down counters and trash cans on trash day. I've set up ACV/dish soap traps, but there's so many more flies than the traps catch. Any ideas?
Insinkorators are such an American thing. I remember having one as a kid but they never took off here. Maybe because our environment is just always an optimal bug home all year round. They are so gross
I hate when you buy a plant and it has flies already in it.. I just got one as a gift and it had some. We also has drain files in last house .. what a pain.
The easiest and most fun solution for me has been Butterworts/Pinguicula plants. They are carnivorous plants with sticky dew (not the ones with little mouths). They trap and absorb any flying insects. They are super easy to grow, since they want permanently wet soil, which means never having to guess how much or when to water. They also have very pretty and abundant flowers (some of mine never stop flowering). I just have a few nestled between groups of plants and I can count the amount of gnats I've seen flying around in a year time on one hand. Notes on care: they prefer distilled water which is available in most grocery stores (also used for clothes irons), higher humidity gives them more dew, they like sunlight. Drosera/sundew plants function basically the same. They are slightly less effective for small gnats but do look spectacular especially when they have big dew droplets which are gorgeous (again: high humidity). Hope anyone with flying insects try them out!
Great advice and solutions.
Gnats by the dozens showed up in my bathroom, had no idea it was because they had made my potted plant soil a breeding ground. Quick tap on the pot-it became very obvious.
One of the toughest to eliminate. Takes many years on the job to do it right
Yes very true. You can only control the numbers.
Thank you so much for this video. I’m battling drain flies right now so this information is perfect.
great video Dan, also everybody should clean the drain pipes by pouring at least 1 cup of salt in the drain and pouring a 5 gallon bucket of very hot water down the drain all at once, do this a few times if you can, also check your kitchen sink pipes under the counter for small leaks and fix any leaks, tie food waste up in a small bag before putting in your trash and do not let your garbage stay in your kitchen for more than 2 days before you take out your trash,use a kitchen garbage bag that has a lid and keep it closed. I always put food waste in a separate grocery bag and tie it closed, my grandmother used to store all of her food scraps in the freezer until trash day.
Dan the Man, you are looking a bit more rested than previous videos. I trust you are taking care of yourself. And I wish you the best in your company.
These flies are very light too, remember circulation air will help! If you get flies in a bar for instance , put a fan blowing on all the plumbing lines under the sinks. It will help reduce the population!!
For fungus gnats in plants drying out soil will help but not for long, the main thing is not overwatering, not keeping the top moist. Drying out the plant completely will kill the adults but not kill the eggs once they get water again they will hatch but this mostly occurs on the top inch of soil. My tip would be to try to water the roots not the top, if you can bottom water that could be best. Also watering with water with soap in it will kill many of the flies inside the soil and some eggs this can help a ton with top watering situation (like germinating seeds). I have major experience with the fungus gnat in particular the gnat killers on the market do not work, what i mentioned i have tested many times over.
One of the annoying things to get rid of right
Great educational video 👍 , Thank You Dan !
This was a great informative video thank you!
Leaky pipes will always attract fertile Myrtle the pesky fly. I’d be concerned about using any chemicals in a septic system though. Unless it says it’s “septic safe”. City sewer will be no problem though. 💪🏼😎👍🏼
Where can I purchase that foam, not Walmart I'm guessing. Great video, thanks for the tips.
If root aphids/fungus gnats in house plants, water with Metit.
Had virtually invisible biting midges in my apartment. Checked every drain, sealed up and sprayed the windows., kept food waste in the refrigerator, cleaned under oven/ refrigerator. Found out they were coming from AC. Didn't even really see evidence. Just figured this was the only thing left. Had a dirty torn filter when I moved in that wasnt fully covering the air entry point. Changed the filter. Ran ac for like a day straight. Finally getting some relief. Dont know if this is a permanent solution though. May have to get some professional help on this one.
Hello sir, i dont know if this is your area of expertise, bit do you know and solid ways of getting rid of roaches?
Actizyme! 😊
well done. thanks !
How does the product break down to where it doesn't affect groundwater?
is nibour D avalible in canada?
what about flies that love cat litter and cat food? I'm running the AC, trying different kinds of litter, bought disposable dehumidifier products, scoop litter a lot (into a litter genie, which closes but does sit there for a few days which is kind of the point of it) and I take the trash and recycling out twice a week, the most possible where I live. I wipe down counters and trash cans on trash day. I've set up ACV/dish soap traps, but there's so many more flies than the traps catch. Any ideas?
Insinkorators are such an American thing. I remember having one as a kid but they never took off here. Maybe because our environment is just always an optimal bug home all year round. They are so gross
I wouldn't necessarily say loaded with information. I learned all this the first week of doing pest control.
How did you know I just placed an order online to try and deal with this with no research or knowledge whatsoever
Alpine fly bait and spray it on a rotting lime. EZ
I hate when you buy a plant and it has flies already in it.. I just got one as a gift and it had some. We also has drain files in last house .. what a pain.