Home remedies for mosquitoes: How to get rid of insects from your garden and room

The Schnake andthe mosquitoare closely related: The two insect species belong to the superfamily Tipuloidea. Although they are often confused with mosquitoes, they actually have very little in common. The gnats cannot sting and instead only consume nectar. Therefore, they are not dangerous for humans. However, since they fly in flocks, they can settle in the garden or come into the room. We list several home remedies for mosquitoes that you can use to get rid of insects from the garden and room.

1. “Can crane flies bite?” and other questions about insects

The crane flies: An insect with many names. In some parts of Germany the mosquito is colloquially referred to as a “schnake”. This often leads to confusion as many people complain about fly bites. From a biological perspective, this is wrong.

1.2. Types of crane flies and differences from mosquitoes

There are over 4,000 species of crane flies known worldwide. In contrast to mosquitoes, where the fertilized females need blood to be able to lay their eggs, they feed exclusively on nectar and water. The crane flies are also very different visually. They grow up to 4 cm long and are therefore significantly larger than mosquitoes. Their mouthparts are not suitable forStinging or biting.

1.3. Fighting gnats: The larvae are considered pests

In some cases, however, the gnats behave like mosquitoes. They are primarily nocturnal and fly in flocks during the mating phase. They also lay their eggs in still water, in damp soil or in rotten wood. Since a single female can lay up to 400 eggs, the insects reproduce very quickly. After hatching, the larvae feed on the underground (and in some cases also on the above-ground) parts of the plant and are therefore considered pests in the vegetable garden.

Those tooadult insectsare often perceived as annoying. Mainly because they are attracted to light. A pleasant evening on the terrace or ventilating the room can therefore become a challenge in the summer months.

2. Home remedies for gnats in the garden

If the insects multiply rapidly in the garden, they can cause damage to crops. Luckily, there are home remedies you can use to get rid of the gnats. These tricks will help and keep them off the property:

2.1. No standing water in the garden

The crane flies prefer a moist location to lay their eggs. So look around the garden and look for water sources with standing water. Wherever rainwater collects (drain pipes, rain barrels, etc.), gnats and gnats can hatch. So ensure good drainage and never leave the rain barrel open. Change the water in the bird and butterfly baths regularly and clean them.

2.2. Good drainage for garden and potted plants

Good drainage is an absolute must not only for potted plants but also for garden plants. This will prevent water from accumulating on the lawn or from the ground remaining moist for a long time and becoming waterlogged. On the one hand, this can damage the plants, but on the other hand, it can attract gnats and gnats to the garden.

2.3 Attract natural enemies to the garden

The fish in the garden pond also eat the eggs and larvae of crane flies and mosquitoes, while many birds feed on the adult crane flies. So it's worth building nesting boxes and bird feeders. Gold and koi fish are particularly suitable for the garden pond.

2.4 Water features for the garden pond

Still water attracts insects. To drive away gnats and mosquitoes, use water features. If the water in the garden pond moves, they cannot lay their eggs there. There are different alternatives for every garden pond, so everyone can find the right one. Make sure that the water features run for at least half the day. If possible, leave them running overnight too.

2.5 Plants in the fight against crane flies

There are plants that drive away mosquitoes and gnats with their scent. In the vegetable patch these are the tomatoes and the garlic, in the ornamental garden - the lemongrass and the marigold and in the flower pot -there lavenderand the rosemary.

3. Home remedies for gnats in the room

The gnats don't bite, we're of no interest to them. But they are attracted by strong light. If a swarm of gnats suddenly flies into the room while airing the room in the evening, the following tricks will help

3.1. Drive away the gnats with scented oils

The scent of plants such as lavender, mint, citrus fruits and eucalyptus keeps gnats and mosquitoes away. You can also grow lavender and mint in containers or you can simply buy scented oils and use them asnatural protection against insectsuse.

3.2. Make your own mosquito trap: home remedies for insects

Anyone can quickly make their own mosquito trap. Incidentally, it is also effective against mosquitoes and other insects such as flies and grape gnats. Proceed as follows:

Cut a 2 liter plastic bottle in two. Put 50g brown sugar or 50g honey or 50g strawberries or 50g juice or flowers in the bottom half of the bottle, pour in 250ml hot water. Stir the water well and add some yeast. Turn the top of the bottle over. Insert the neck into the bottom part of the bottle and tape the two parts together with transparent tape. The neck of the bottle should not touch the water, but should be 2-3 cm above the water level. Hang or place the gnat trap in the corner of the room.

3.3. Flyscreens for the windows and doors

If nothing else works, you can keep the gnats away with a gnat screen. Since the gnats are larger than mosquitoes, you can use an insect net against mosquitoes.

3.4. Insect UV lamp

If nothing else helps, you can, as an exception, fight the insects with a special UV lamp. Just turn on the insect lamp and leave the room. People and pets should not be in the room. After 2-3 hours you can turn off the lamp and enter the room. However, you should only use this remedy if nothing else really helps.

3.5 Ventilate before sunset

Don't have insect protection on your windows? Then you should ventilate the room before sunset. Optionally, you can turn off the lights and then open the windows. This means that the insects are not attracted to the light.

Cranes and mosquitoes are related but have little in common. The gnats do not sting and are not dangerous to humans. However, they can cause damage to useful and ornamental plants in the garden. You can fight them successfully with the right home remedies.