Gnats are a nuisance to have around your office. Not only are they distracting, but certain gnats bite humans and cause itchy bumps. As an office manager, you can prevent these bothersome insects from zipping around your workplace with the simple tips outlined below.
As an office manager or business owner, dealing with a gnat infestation can be incredibly frustrating. Those tiny flying bugs buzzing around computer monitors and hovering over keyboards are more than just a nuisance – they can negatively impact productivity and drive employees crazy.
The good news is that with some diligence and the right pest control strategies, you can kick gnats out of your office for good. In this article, I’ll cover the major causes of gnat infestations in office settings and provide effective solutions to get rid of them using natural ingredients and products.
What Attracts Gnats to Your Office?
Before implementing control measures, it’s important to understand what’s drawing gnats to your workplace in the first place. There are two main culprits for gnat infestations in offices:
Overwatered Indoor Plants
The moist soil of potted plants is an ideal breeding ground for fungus gnats. Female adults lay hundreds of eggs in the soil and the larvae feed on plant roots and organic matter. Too much moisture causes rot and fungi growth providing ample food sources.
Food Waste and Spills
Fruit flies and drain flies breed in fermenting organic material. Food spills in breakrooms, kitchens and even at employee desks allow gnats to thrive. Fruit scraps in trash cans or drains are other prime targets.
Once you identify and eliminate breeding spots, getting rid of existing gnats and preventing future infestations becomes much easier.
8 Effective Ways to Get Rid of Gnats
Here are the top solutions for kicking gnats out of your office for good:
1. Use Sticky Traps
Yellow sticky traps attract gnats and capture them on the adhesive surface. Place traps near plants, sinks, windows and doors where gnats congregate. For best results, use both flat sticky cards and hanging ribbons.
2. Make DIY Fruit Fly Traps
Fill jars with apple cider vinegar or wine and add a drop of dish soap to break surface tension. Cover with plastic wrap and poke holes. Gnats get in but can’t escape. Position traps where gnats gather.
3. Apply Mosquito Dunks to Plant Soil
These biological larvicides kill gnat larvae in soil before they can mature to flies. Simply crumble over the soil of potted plants and reapply every 30 days. Safe for plants and pets.
4. Spray Plants with Insecticidal Soap
Insecticidal soap sprays smother and kill adult gnats and larvae on contact Apply liberally to plant leaves and soil to control populations Use weekly to prevent reinfestations,
5. Clean Drains with Enzyme Cleaners
Pouring enzyme drain cleaners down bathroom and kitchen sinks removes organic gunk where gnats breed. Do this weekly to keep drains free of larvae.
6. Use a Bug Zapper
Electric bug zapping lamps fry flying pests with an electric current Place them near problem areas and clean out dead bugs daily Run at night when fewer employees are present,
7. Apply Diatomaceous Earth
Sprinkle this abrasive, desiccant powder onto potting soil. The sharp edges kill larvae and eggs by damaging their waxy outer layer causing dehydration. Reapply after watering.
8. Contact a Pest Control Service
For serious gnat issues, bringing in professional pest control technicians can provide fast, effective relief. They have commercial-grade treatments to eliminate large infestations and offer preventative services.
Tips to Keep Gnats Away From Your Office
Prevention is key to keeping your office free of annoying gnats long-term. Here are some handy proactive tips:
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Allow plant soil to dry out between waterings to deter fungus gnats.
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Isolate new indoor plants for a few days to prevent introducing pests.
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Take out trash and food waste daily to limit gnat breeding sites.
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Clean and sanitize waste bins regularly to remove food residue.
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Fix plumbing leaks and dripping faucets where drain flies breed.
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Discourage employees from storing food in desks to avoid fruit fly issues.
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Use air conditioning and dehumidifiers to eliminate moisture gnats need.
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Install door sweeps and screens to prevent gnats from flying in from outside.
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Turn off lights at night to make indoor areas less attractive to gnats.
Be Persistent for the Best Results
It can take some trial and error to find the gnat solutions that work best for your specific office environment. Don’t give up too quickly – persistently using a combination of methods is key to getting rid of these pests for good.
The most effective approach involves frequently monitoring for signs of gnats, sanitizing breeding sites, using traps and natural treatments simultaneously, and sealing up pest entry points.
With diligence and the right pest management tactics, you can reclaim a gnat-free workplace and eliminate the distraction of annoying flies zipping around. Your employees will thank you!
How to get rid of gnats in office plants
Gnat problems can take some time to address, so patience is key. There are several ways to treat a plant without harming its growth, many of which don’t require harsh chemicals. Depending on the extent of your issue, one solution or a combination of solutions may work for you.
- Fly tape for plants – Like fly tape hanging in spirals from the ceiling, flypaper for plants is a loop of tape attached to a small plastic or wooden spike. Place the spike in the soil of your office plants and let the tape work its magic.
- Isolation – Covering your infested plant with a plastic bag suffocates the gnats while allowing the plant to take in sunlight.
- Dish soap – Dish soap treats eggs in the soil so the infestation doesn’t return. A drop of dish soap in a watering can helps kill eggs and stop them from hatching.
- Apple cider vinegar – A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar diluted in a watering can also kills eggs before they hatch, although dish soap might be easier to find in your office.
- Houseplant sprays – There are many options for commercial sprays meant to manage both adult gnats and their eggs. Your local garden center or home improvement store can recommend the right product for you.
Where are gnats coming from in the office?
Generally, there are two primary sources of gnats in the office: indoor plant soil and garbage. Potted plant soil is a common place for gnats to breed because the consistently damp soil and nutrients from plants provide plenty of sustenance. Gnats in office plants can be tricky to get rid of because they bury in the soil to lay eggs, so surface treatments often only handle the adult flies.
Kitchen scraps that stay in the breakroom or kitchen area for too long are another ideal spot for certain types of gnats to breed. Fruit and fruit scraps are especially high in sugar, giving gnats the energy they need to maintain a consistent reproduction cycle.
How to Control Fungus Gnats in an Office Building www.crawfordpestcontrol.com/commercial
FAQ
Why are there so many gnats in the office?
Overwatered plants or areas with high humidity can create ideal breeding conditions. Standing Water: Any standing water, such as in plant saucers, sinks, or drains, can be a breeding ground for gnats. Poor Ventilation: A lack of airflow can contribute to a humid environment, which is conducive to gnat infestation.
How do I keep gnats out of my office?
- Isolate new office plants when you bring them in. Gnats can spread from one plant to another. …
- Use gnat tape proactively. …
- Discourage employees from keeping food in their desk drawers. …
- Take out the garbage daily. …
- Sanitize waste bins weekly.
What scent keeps gnats away?
Peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, vanilla, and lavender essential oils all have scents that gnats dislike. Place a few drops of any of these essential oils on cotton balls and set around entryways to your home or areas where gnats are a problem.
How do I get rid of gnats in my office?
If you are still having problems with gnats in your office, try setting out an apple cider vinegar, fruit fly trap to kill the adult gnats that are buzzing around your home. Just fill a small jar with some apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap. Place some plastic wrap around the opening, and secure it with a rubber band.
How to get rid of gnats in your home?
Try a bug zapper. A bug zapper is a good option and works well with larger gnats. Nowadays, many brands and designs are safe to use indoors. These noiseless devices can catch the majority of gnats and flies in your home, and you won’t even have to lift your finger to make the magic happen.
How do you stop Gnats from breeding?
If you have a wire brush or an enzymatic drain cleaner, you can stop gnats from breeding in your drains. If you have apple cider vinegar and a mason jar, you can make a gnat trap. If you have red wine and liquid soap, you can make a wine trap. If you have gentle hand or dish soap, you can make a spray for your plants.