My apartment is being invaded by tiny flying insects.

Vivian
by Vivian
You can barely see them but they are real! Possibly from some new houseplants I brought in. How do I get rid of them without using insect spray? I prefer something more natural.

  5 answers
  • Sharon Sharon on Jul 17, 2017

    I like the old time sticky fly paper in the little round containers that fasten to the ceiling with a tack, they also make a new version that is clear and sticks to the window... and they peel off quick easily to my surprise.

  • Karen Karen on Jul 17, 2017

    Sticky traps work great ... also the yellow sticky cards that you can find online. I had an infestation of pantry moths from some flours or cereals I purchased, and the sticky traps worked immediately (pheromone draws them in). But for fungal gnats, if you don't want to buy the yellow cards (or can't wait for delivery if you can't find in a local store), you could try yellow poster board or paint/tape index cards yellow, then coat with adhesive spray (as is used in crafting).


    This might capture them, though you might have to respray periodically. Alternatively, add clear double-stick tape once you've gotten the cards yellow, and place whatever option you use upright or slightly angled against walls, items on your counters, etc. If you need elsewhere, you could punch a hole in card and hang over the hook of a wire hanger.


    The yellow cards can also be placed in the plant pots, leaning against the plant or cut the card so that one end has a point and insert that end into soil.

  • C. D. Scallan C. D. Scallan on Jul 17, 2017

    Spray your house plants with baking soda and water . Use the fly paper strips or make your own traps with apple cider vinegar and Dawn in a small dish covered with plastic wrap . Poke holes in the plastic wrap with a toothpick . They crawl in and drown .

  • Sheila Sheila on Jul 17, 2017

    Peppermint essential oil in a diffuser will get rid of them

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Jul 17, 2017

    You might think about repotting your plants if they are fungal gnats because you have fungus obviously and it will be in the soil that they are going and coming from. That will help immensely and also keep your plants healthy. Wash your pots out real well with a little bleach in the water and rinse them well before putting only new soil in them.