HOW TO KEEP FUNGUS GNATS FAR AWAY FROM YOUR AIKEN HOME

There are many different kinds of flies in Aiken. When they get inside, they can be quite annoying, so it isn't surprising that we get lots of calls for fly pest control in Aiken. If you're currently having trouble with fungus gnats, there are a few things you can do before you give us a call. We're going to share these with you today.

If you have an urgent need for service, feel free to jump over to our contact page and reach out to us immediately. We offer industry-leading pest control in Aiken, South Carolina and we can guide you toward the right solution for your fly issue. With that said, let's get into our topic for today.

What Is The Difference Between Regular Gnats & Fungus Gnats?

If you've ever gone camping, you know about gnats. They are tiny flies that bite you while you're trying to cook marshmallows on the campfire - or while you're doing pretty much anything else in the woods. The main difference between those gnats and fungus gnats is that fungus gnats don't bite. If the gnats in your Aiken home are biting you, they're not fungus gnats.

How Big Are Fungus Gnats?

There are many fungus gnat species. Some are as large as 1/2 inch. The gnats that make themselves pests in Aiken are usually between 1/8 and 1/16 of an inch in length. Their small size makes some Aiken residents mistake fungus gnats for baby flies. But baby flies don't fly. They're wiggly worms called maggots.

If you see tiny black flies in your home, they're not babies; they're adult flies. If you see tiny black flies in your house, they're either fungus gnats or phorid flies. You can easily tell them apart by how they behave. If you approach a phorid fly, it is likely to take off running - not flying. If you approach a fungus gnat, it will take to the air and fly away.

Do Fungus Gnats Jump?

Jump is too strong a word. We would use jump to describe what fleas or springtails do. In fact, if you see insects that look like fungus gnats jumping around in your yard, they're probably springtails. If you see insects in your home that look like fungus gnats and they're springing through the air, they're probably fleas.

Fungus gnats hop. They don't really jump or spring through the air. You'll find fungus gnats exhibiting this hopping behavior on the soil. When they're on hard surfaces, they tend to walk.

How Can I Get Rid Of These Annoying Fungus Gnats?

This is a complicated question to answer. There are many aspects to this question that must be considered. Let's explore them:

• How do you catch these tiny flies? You may be able to quickly and easily deal with fungus gnats by putting an infested potted plant back outside and by sucking up the fungus gnats in your home using a vacuum cleaner hose attachment. Yellow sticky traps can also help you with catching flies and monitoring for fly activity in your home.
• Some infestations aren't easy to address. The reason for this is often that fungus gnats have found a breeding site indoors. If you have lots of potted plants, there is really no mystery as to why you have fungus gnats, but some infestations can have you scratching your head and wondering, "Where are these gnats coming from?" If you have a mysterious infestation, you'll need to find the breeding site(s). If you already know where the fungus gnats are breeding, the solution is to treat the soil. It is best to target the larvae and pupae rather than to attempt to control the short-lived adults that are flying around in your home.
• When you have fungus gnats flying around, there is a greater problem that may need to be addressed. Fungus gnats are attracted to damp habitats and decaying organic matter. If they're breeding in the perimeter next to your home, this will need to be addressed. We recommend raking leaves, removing sticks, and addressing clogged gutters.
• Once you've altered conditions around your home that are allowing fungus gnats to reproduce, you should consider weatherproofing your home. When you keep the hot weather outside, you keep tiny flies out as well. Replace weatherstripping, realign double doors, install door sweeps, and use a caulking gun to seal gaps.

If you have a particularly difficult fungus gnat problem, remember that the service team here at Aiken Pest Control is always standing ready to help. We can also assist you with year-round residential pest control for your home to keep fungus gnats and garbage flies out of your home all year long. Reach out to us today to learn more or to schedule service.