Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:53:49 -0400
From: Al Cooke
Subject: Re: ‘gnats in the house’
With these pests in the bathroom and kitchen, they might be drain flies. Or fungus gnats. Either could be reproducing indoors without the necessity of using your doors. Have a look at these two websites to see if it helps you narrow your focus on where they are and how to control them:
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/drainfly.htm
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/Urban/fungusgnat.htm
This also reminds me of the “primitive” approaches to pest control that we sometimes forget. Some years ago I was in an 18th century plantation house and noted a small bottle with a narrow neck labeled “fly catcher.” Apparently they put something sweet or fruity in it to lure pests in, then removed them outdoors. I’ve found an empty wine bottle works similarly. Low tech. Depending on what your ‘gnats’ are, this strategy may or may not work.
alcooke
Al Cooke
Extension Agent, Horticulture
Chatham County Center
N.C. Cooperative Extension
PO Box 279, Pittsboro, NC 27312
919.542-8202; Fax 919.542.8246
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/staff/acooke/home.html