How do you get rid of gnats?

Fruit flies are one of the many nuisances faced by any gardener. But if you arm yourself with patience, they are by no means inevitable. Attracted by the vegetables in your vegetable patch, as well as moisture and heat, fruit flies can be eradicated using some effective tips. If you want to tackle these pesky insects, we’ve put together the best tips to help you get rid of them!

The fungus gnat: your garden’s public enemy

Also known as ‘clouds’ or ‘soil flies’, gnats are flying insects belonging to the Diptera order, family Nematoceridae. Small in size, they are very common and present all year round, particularly in summer. They invade gardens, which provide all the perfect conditions for rapid proliferation. Whilst they are more of a nuisance than a real threat in the kitchen, outdoors these tiny insects are capable of causing significant damage to vegetable patches. Gardens are midges’ favourite haunts. This is why they are a real nuisance for anyone with a permaculture garden. Let’s take a closer look at why midges are so keen to swarm around your vegetables.

Why do we see gnats in gardens?

A midge infestation in your garden can stem from a number of causes. To put an end to this insect’s reign in your vegetable patch, it’s essential to identify the problem! As with many other pests such as ground beetles or stink bugs, there are drastic solutions to get rid of them! Unlike gnats that proliferate inside a house – where the problem can be quickly resolved by ensuring your home is less damp – you cannot avoid certain factors that lead to gnats appearing around your plants; however, you can limit the infestation using the tips and advice we’re about to share.

Why do you need to get rid of fruit flies?

Fruit flies are flying insects considered a nuisance for people who grow fruit or vegetables. They carry bacteria and pathogenic germs, including salmonella. Fungus gnats wreak havoc in gardens by helping to spread diseases to vegetable plants. What’s more, the larvae feed on the roots of your vegetables and hinder their growth. Infestations are caused by a number of factors. Reproduction is the primary cause, as the midge only lives for a few days and must mate very quickly! They seek out places to lay their eggs based on heat, humidity and the decomposition of organic matter. It takes just a few weeks for the larvae to develop into young adults, which in turn will spread, and so on. If you don’t tackle the problem early enough, you’ll soon be overrun!

How to get rid of gnats in a permaculture vegetable garden

We provide all the advice and tips you need to eradicate these flying insects. To avoid using pesticides in your permaculture vegetable garden, the solutions we suggest are non-toxic to your plants and the environment. As well as using the tips listed below, we advise you to follow a few guidelines, such as not leaving any vegetables – or mouldy ones – in your garden, and ensuring you keep the moisture levels in your vegetable beds under control to eliminate any existing larvae. Make sure you allow the top layer of growing medium to dry out completely and do not leave any standing water. You can always refer to the Permapotes guide for further advice on your permaculture garden.

• If you want to deter these insects, spray the leaves with a solution of water and lemon juice. This is an effective repellent that helps to drive away these unwanted insects.
• Place coffee grounds on your soil; they act as a barrier and prevent gnats from laying their larvae there. This will help prevent them from multiplying.
• Make a trap using a plastic bottle and pour beer into it; this strongly attracts gnats, which will then be poisoned.
• Make cotton balls soaked in citronella or clove essential oil and place them all around your vegetables to keep the gnats at bay.
• Place a bowl of water mixed with cider vinegar and liquid black soap. These tiny insects, drawn by the smell of the cider, will fall into the bowl and be unable to escape from the mixture.
• Water the bases of your plants with a cinnamon infusion; this kills the gnats’ larvae and prevents them from reproducing constantly.
• Scatter corks along the paths in your permaculture vegetable garden. Gnats cannot tolerate this smell and will look for another area to lay their eggs.
• Sprinkling your garden with water mixed with bicarbonate of soda kills the larvae and helps to keep these tiny flying pests at bay.