Do you really have mosquitoes?
The word “mosquito” is used to describe a number of small, swarming, annoying creatures. These pests include non-biting fungus gnats, midges, biting flies, punks, and the ever-popular “no see um” bug of lore and fame. These pesky creatures relentlessly pester you with buzzing noises, crashing into your head, with a tenacious and relentless assault on your sanity. Mosquitoes, however, can be controlled and repelled with a few simple remedies.
Slow-moving mosquitoes in your house?
The fungus gnat and related fruit fly are attracted to your home because it is a welcoming environment. Also known as vinegar flies, these mosquitoes love the smell of rotting food, vinegar, and overwatered plants. These mosquitoes live for about four months and spend most of that time laying eggs for future generations of mosquitoes. It is important to employ measures to get rid of mosquitoes as soon as they appear in your home.
Can I catch mosquitoes indoors?
The fungus gnat can be caught with an easy home remedy using vinegar. Mosquitoes and fruit flies are attracted to the smell of vinegar. Put some vinegar and sugar (dishwashing detergent and vinegar work too) in a screw-top jar. Punch holes in the lid like your childhood firefly jar big enough for mosquitoes to enter. Most mosquitoes will not be able to get out and will drown in the vinegar. Multiple traps will work better than one. It is not the best solution that smells, but it is effective.
Keep indoor mosquitoes away
Once you’ve attacked the existing mosquito swarm, you need to take steps to make your home less hospitable to them. Immediately discard any food that has the potential to be spoiled, overripe, or moldy. Check your trash cans and the surrounding area to make sure no rotten food has accumulated in a corner. Your sink drain should also be thoroughly checked. Place overwatered plants outside to dry before returning them to their indoor position.
Obnoxious outdoor mosquitoes
These are the mosquitoes that drive people crazy. These irritating, swarming, biting, and pesky pests can really ruin an outdoor gathering. Other common terms for these insects are midges, biting flies, punks, and no see ums. DEET, the always outdoor companion, is a great way to repel them. Yes, products containing DEET leave an unpleasant odor and a slightly greasy feel, but it really does work very well. Citronella candles also deter mosquitoes to a lesser extent.
You can repel and catch mosquitoes
You can trap and kill indoor fungus gnats and related fruit flies with a simple homemade vinegar trap. It is important to do this before they lay their eggs. You should also remove any decaying and rotten food and check for other areas where food may collect. Outdoor mosquitoes, known by various other names, are virtually impossible to catch. The flight range of mosquitoes, biting flies and the like preclude a satisfactory trapping environment. It is best to simply repel these mosquitoes with commercially available products that contain DEET.
