Despite our best efforts to keep our homes clean, a shocking number of bugs live with us. While many of these pests are benign, and we do not even know they are there, some are downright annoying. If you do not have a professional cleaning service like MaidPro taking care of your home, you may find yourself battling gnats, flies, and other pests.
These five tips will help you say goodbye to these annoying little bugs.
1. Use More Than One Method
Gnats and flies rapidly reproduce in high numbers. Because of this, it is most effective to use more than one method at a time. This creates a multi-prong approach that will tackle the problem at every stage of the pests' life cycle.
Keeping a clean home is the best way to prevent gnats and flies from taking up residence in your home. Stay on top of cleaning tasks, such as take out the trash, removing old fruit from the fruit bowl, and storing fruits and vegetables in the fridge. Regularly empty and wipe down your pantry shelves to remove spilled food. Then use natural scents to freshen the smell of your home while also repelling fruit flies. Lavender, lemongrass, clove, peppermint, and eucalyptus are all good options.
2. Make a Trap
To get rid of the gnats and flies that currently call your home theirs, start by making a simple trap. Use a saucer or glass to mix apple cider vinegar, a little sugar, and a few drops of dish soap. Cover the top with cling wrap and create a few holes. The pests will fly into the trap as they are attracted to the sweet smell. They become trapped by the dish soap when they try to land on the vinegar.
3. Clean the Drain
If you find the flies and gnats primarily around a particular drain, it is time to tackle the problem at its source. Mix a gallon of water with half a cup of bleach. Slowly pour the mixture down the drain. Then rinse with plenty of very hot water. This should sanitize the drain while killing any larvae that might be present. That way, you prevent future generations of pests from reappearing after successfully removing the current bugs.
4. Remove Attractants
Gnats and flies do not randomly decide that your home should get invaded. If you see them in your home, something draws them in, enticing them, and making them think that your home is ideal for their next residence. Remove spoiled or rotten food waste. Get rid of manure or animal feces. Dry out places that are constantly wet, such as sink and shower drains.
5. Know When to Call the Experts
While at-home remedies can work for mild cases, they may not be enough for severe or ongoing problems. Calling an exterminator can help you wipe out the pest problem that you currently have. However, this is not a long-term solution. Hiring a professional cleaning service like MaidPro can help prevent the gnats and flies from returning.
Enjoy a Pest-Free Home
To effectively remove the gnats, flies, and pests that plague your home, you need to take a multi-step approach that addresses the issue from all angles. This gets rid of the current bug problem and prevents future ones. In addition, hiring a professional cleaning service ensures your home stays clean and pest free. MaidPro's professional cleaners can tailor their cleaning efforts to address your home's unique challenges and needs.
Request a quote today and enjoy a clean and pest-free home.
