How to get rid of midges in an apartment: TOP-26 remedies

Author: Michael Potter Updated: April 17, 2020

Midges - this name refers to hundreds of species of insects. The main features: they are small, there are many of them and they are annoying, and sometimes they bite painfully. In this material, we will mix research by scientists and proven methods from experienced exterminators, and we will figure out what types of these small pests exist, which of them should be especially wary of, and how to deal with them. Today we'll talk about biting and non-biting midges, how to get rid of them, and the best repellents, traps, and fly swatters approved by scientists to combat these pesky insects.

Annoying little insects that are very annoying and leave very painful bites. They attack and surround a person and are almost impossible to brush aside. We will not torment you with entomological details, how they look, how they reproduce, especially since an ordinary person is unlikely to distinguish one species from another by appearance. Therefore, for simplicity, we will divide them by habitat , so that you can immediately understand who you are dealing with: biting midges live mainly in wetlands, sand flies - on sandy shores, black flies (cow midges) breed exclusively in water with a current, enriched with oxygen , and not biting midges, on the contrary, in stagnant water.

Reasons for appearance

The most interesting thing is that there is an explanation for all of the above. Insects choose the most suitable places for living and breeding. And which ones - it depends on the type of midges. But first things first. First, let's figure out how these crumbs appear in the apartment.

There are several reasons:

Fruits and vegetables are not the freshest . The smell of plant rot is the most desirable aroma for small insects, and spoiled and fermented fruits, juices, compotes, beer are the best delicacy. In addition, this is a very suitable environment for growing offspring. It is worth noting that the female can lay eggs on still ripening vegetables and fruits, and when they get indoors, the larvae will receive the most favorable conditions for growth.
Wet rags, poorly cleaned or clogged sink . High humidity not only pleases the midges, but makes them simply happy. If you add to the first the accumulated particles of food that have begun to rot, a rotten coating on surfaces and wet rags, and the unpleasant smell of all this, then it immediately becomes clear why insects are in such a hurry to “capture” these territories.
Flower pots with indoor plants . Many housewives feed their indoor plants with used tea leaves. At the same time, excessive watering leads to rotting of tea leaves, the appearance of particles of rot and mold, plaque and an unpleasant odor. These are ideal conditions for midges. Plus the humidity is constantly high.
"Generous" neighbors . If midges live with your neighbors permanently, then there is a very high probability that they will also want to visit nearby premises.
Trash can and bags . A trash can that is taken out at the wrong time will immediately become a haven for small insects. Dirt and the remains of spoiled food will become a feeding ground for both adult midges and their larvae. Waste that has fallen onto the surface of a garbage bag or bucket and has not been noticed is perfect for laying eggs.
Pets . In this case, it's not about the animals themselves, but about us. More precisely, we are talking about how we take care of our “smaller brothers” and monitor the cleanliness of their place of residence. When algae has grown in the aquarium and the water has stagnated, the cage with the rabbit has not been cleaned, pieces of vegetables are lost in the sawdust of the hamster, and the dog’s bowl has not been washed for a long time, sooner or later the organic matter will begin to rot and attract midges. And they will already find an opportunity to roam and bring offspring.

To summarize, we can say that there is still a danger from midges staying in an apartment. Insects do not sit still, they “travel” to different places and objects. They can start with a rotten apple in a trash can or with moldy soil in a flower pot, and end in the kitchen, on the dining table. The route may be different, but the essence is the same: willingly or unwillingly, they are carriers of many harmful bacteria that can lead to infections. Consequently, the entire life of small insects depends only on human actions, on keeping the house clean and carrying out preventive work.

Interestingly, insects can live in a city apartment all year round. Their number depends on the presence of a favorable environment and temperature. In summer, when the temperature is more than 18°C, they live for about 3 weeks, at low temperatures - about 1.5 weeks, and at zero - the insects die. In addition, larvae and adults die after a few days if they have nothing to eat

Non-biting midges - there are many of them and they are annoying - what to do?

Midges love moisture and warm climates. If your home is located near the water, then you are probably familiar with the creatures quite closely. Stagnant bodies of water attract midges - in them they are able to lay thousands of eggs from which adult individuals grow, which in turn begin active reproduction. Now it’s clear where the horde outside your window came from? Therefore, the first step is to get rid of the larvae.

If midges breed in stagnant water or a small pond, then add special bacteria - BTI Here is one such product, very popular on the American Amazon - Summit 20-Pack Mosquito Dunk for $20.

Types of midges

It would seem that very small midges will not create problems and getting rid of them is a couple of trifles. And this, indeed, may be the case. But only if there are only a few insects, the reason for their appearance is immediately found, measures are taken to eliminate the pests, cleaning is carried out immediately and everything necessary is done to prevent their reappearance. Otherwise, drastic measures will have to be taken in full. Since it is already known how “kids” appear in the apartment and where their favorite places are, we need to find out what they are, whether they are the same or different, what are their differences and characteristic features.

The family of dipterous midges has about 2000 species. This article discusses the most common domestic species.

Drosophila (wine or fruit midges)

The size of the insects varies from 1 to 3 mm, the color can be light or dark brown, dark yellow, rarely, but orange or black individuals can be found. Most often, midges can be found in the kitchen, where they look for fruits, sweets, and vegetables, which they can eat and lay eggs on. Pests will not ignore fermented juices and alcohol, and will not fly past the sink or trash can.

Sewer (humpbacks)

The body of insects has a thick “hairy” covering. These midges are delighted with dampness, dark rooms, leaky sewers, a dirty kitchen or a clogged sink. They can become carriers of dangerous bacteria.

Whitefly

Whiteflies have a characteristic body color; it appears to be covered with powdery white pollen. Insects can reach from 1.5 to 3 mm in length. Midges like warm, rarely ventilated rooms. It’s good if there are indoor plants in the apartment, the soil of which is oversaturated with moisture, then the presence of small pests can be easily determined by the sticky white coating on the shoots. They eat plant sap, and under the leaves you can find larvae that look very much like scales.

Sciarida (fungus gnat)

Small black midges (from 3 to 5 mm) are also partial to indoor plants. Insects flying over apartment flora are harmless; they reproduce in the soil of flowers oversaturated with moisture, but the larvae grow quickly, taking juices from the roots of plants and nutrients from the soil.

You can also often find pests in homes:

Wardrobes (they love wardrobes).
Water (they look for places where the humidity is highest or where there is constant water).
Gnusov (bite a person).

When the type of midges is known, it is much easier to choose a method to combat them. But, first of all, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the appearance of insects in the apartment.

Barriers

The easiest way is to install breathable barriers that do not interfere with the ventilation of the premises, but at the same time do not allow harmful insects to penetrate inside. Our grandparents used tulle or gauze curtains for this, but to say that they created a reliable barrier means to sin against the truth. Today it is not difficult to buy ready-made mosquito nets for standard size windows. Products for doorways are equipped with convenient magnetic clasps and are often decorated with cheerful designs.

Eliminating causes depending on the type of midges

Different pests require different approaches.

Drosophila in fruit

Throw away all spoiled fruits, vegetables and fermented berries.
Get rid of all fruits that are in doubt, as they could come into contact with midges and become carriers of insect larvae.
Conduct an audit of all available products and carefully check their expiration dates.
In the room with “tenants”, do a thorough cleaning using household chemicals.
It is advisable to install anti-mosquito nets with a minimum mesh on the windows.

Humpbacks in pipes

It is necessary to make sure that the communication systems (sewage, drainage and water supply) are in good order: there are no leaks, rotten areas (on metal risers), accumulation of debris and mucus in the siphons of kitchen sinks and bathtubs, etc.
Carry out work to eliminate problems with pipes using cleaning and disinfection products.
To repel or kill insects, use insecticide sprays.
At least once a week, use special gels or other cleaning products to treat drains.
Carry out preventive treatments regularly.

Fungus gnats in indoor plants

Check the flower soil for its moisture level and change the plant watering schedule.
Make sure that each pot has proper drainage.
Partially or completely replace the soil, pre-treating it with appropriate fungicides.
Use mineral fertilizers produced by industry, following the manufacturer's recommendations.
Periodically treat plants with special chemical compounds.

Smoke bomb

To create comfortable conditions in your dacha, you can use a smoke bomb. The composition includes an insecticide that is released into the air during combustion.

The favorite remedy of most consumers is the Quiet Evening smoke bomb. It contains Permethrin. Price for 1 checker – 450 rubles.

The checker must be placed on a flat, horizontal surface that is resistant to fire - a metal sheet or brick will do. Light the fuse. It is not recommended for people and animals to stand nearby.

After 4-5 minutes, the burning will end, but the toxic particles will settle on the grass and leaves - the effect will continue for another 2-3 days. Approximate area coverage – 300 m². Pests will not fly into this zone, and at a distance of 3 m from the checker, all insects will die.

Do not use the product near open water, beds and fruit-bearing trees.

After use, the smoke bomb may be disposed of as regular waste.

Traditional methods

Many housewives are not supporters of chemistry - today there is enough of it everywhere. Therefore, they successfully use folk methods, homemade traps, or traps that are as safe as possible for humans. Most methods are designed for the insects’ reaction to different odors, and since midges are not fans of aromatherapy at all, the methods are very effective.

Ground cloves (drenched in boiling water)

Apartment midges are not at all delighted with this spice, but it can easily make them run away from the house, as far as possible and as quickly as possible. To do this, pour 5 g of ground cloves into 1 glass of water and put on low heat for 2 hours, achieving a rich, specific smell that repels insects.

Garlic

Many insects cannot stand the smell of garlic, and midges are no exception. Therefore, if you place the cloves of this vegetable (whole or sliced) on shelves or near pots of plants, the midges will scatter in all directions.

Horseradish

Similar to the previous vegetable, you can use chopped horseradish left in the kitchen. The specific aroma of the plant's roots will quickly disperse insects.

Tomatoes

Tomato seedlings or already mature plants growing indoors in pots will become a big problem for the ubiquitous midges. Green tomatoes have a characteristic smell that insects do not like, which means the latter will not stay in the apartment.

Geranium

This indoor flower can, without exaggeration, be called a universal remedy for many insects. Moths, mosquitoes and flies cannot stand the smell of this plant at all; you can safely add midges to their friendly team. Indoor geranium on the windowsill will both decorate the room and protect it from pests.

Essential oils

Insects, indeed, actively react to different odors and to many of them their reaction is negative. Today you can find a wide variety of essential oils that will not only drive pests out of your home, but also fill it with pleasant aromas. If you choose sets of 3-4 oils, the effect will be much better:

Camphor, cloves and tansy.
Incense and fir, pine and patchouli.
Vanilla, geranium, wormwood and tangerines.
Ylang-ylang, lavender and lemon.
Cedar and pine, tea tree and juniper.

You can achieve a good effect from the use of essential oils not only with the help of an aroma lamp, but also by applying a few drops of oil to a warm frying pan, to the lampshade, to the radiator (if the heating season has already begun). You can place sprigs of tansy and wormwood in the room on shelves - a bay leaf, or treat the surfaces with a spray bottle of water to which a few drops of any essential oil have been added.

Indoor lemon

An indoor lemon tree will be an excellent ally in the fight against midges. And when crushed in your hands, the leaves will fill the entire room with their aromas and help you forget about small pests for a long time.

Hellebore water

Hellebore water is well known to many as an active antiparasitic agent used to combat head lice. But it has a deadly effect not only on lice, but also on apartment midges. To get rid of flying pests, you need to moisten a dish sponge with the specified solution and place it in the place of greatest concentration of midges for 8 hours. During this time, the insects will die.

Matches

When midges periodically appear on indoor plants, you can use the most ordinary matches (4-5 pieces) to combat them. They need to be stuck into the ground with the sulfur heads down. When the sulfur dissolves, the matches must be replaced with new ones. This procedure must be carried out several times (every other day for a week) to completely expel the pests. Not bad for the same purposes ( freeing flora from insects ):

Wood ash. Sprinkle the soil generously in the pots.
Potassium permanganate. Water the soil with a solution of small concentration (very carefully so as not to harm the plants).
Citrus scented soap. Treat the flower leaves with the prepared soap solution, leave for a while, and then rinse.
A solution of tar and laundry soap (20 g of soap shavings per 1 liter of water). Water the soil around the plant with a very weak solution.
Cockroach chalk. Finely crush and sprinkle on the ground.
Garlic infusion. Chop 3 garlic heads, pour 1 liter of boiling water and let it brew for 4 hours. The product is suitable for treating soil and flower leaves.

Homemade traps

The advantage of self-made traps is that they are completely safe for people, and for making them you can use the simplest and most affordable means at hand.

Glass jar

To attract insects, place a few pieces of spoiled fruit or pour a little beer, jam, sugar syrup, etc. at the bottom of a glass jar (volume 0.5 l or 1 l). Cover the top of the container with cling film or a cellophane bag. Make several small holes in a well-tightened “lid”, which will become “entrance doors” for midges rushing to the treat. But the midge will no longer be able to get back out.

Instead of a can, a disposable plastic cup is often used, but paper can be an alternative film option without any problems. Just don’t cover the neck of the jar with it, but make a funnel with a small hole at the end. Insert the resulting cone into the jar with the bait, tip down, cover the joints with tape and the trap is ready. If plastic devices can be disposed of along with midges, then what to do with the jar? There is an opinion that a jar closed with a polyethylene lid can be placed in the microwave for 30-40 seconds at a power of 600-700. All insects will die, and nothing will happen to the container.

Plastic bottle

Cut off the top part of a 1.5-2 liter bottle. Turn the resulting cone over and insert it into the remaining lower part of the container. To ensure that there are no gaps left, seal the joints of the two elements (on the side) with tape. Place your favorite midge treats at the bottom of the structure. For insects that get inside, there is no way back.

Detergent solution

The trap is convenient because you don’t have to figure out what to cover it with or how many holes to make. Everything is very simple. Fill any container ¼ full with warm water, add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid or shampoo (the amount is given per 0.5 liter jar) - the device for catching midges is ready.

Plastic bag

The simplest version of the trap. You need to put a rotten piece of banana or a few “stale” apple cores in the bag. Open the package slightly and wait until the insects have settled inside and there are a sufficient number of them. When you decide: “It’s time!”, the trap must be carefully and quickly tied, and then thrown away along with the contents.

The bait for annoying midges can be sour or sweet liquids: apple and wine vinegar, wine, juice, beer, compote or honey

Brew trap

Midges will never fly past dessert wine or beer. To lure insects into a trap, it is enough to leave an open, empty, but not washed bottle of “tempting” drinks on the table. In less than a couple of hours, there will be an incredible number of fruit flies inside the trap. All that remains to be done is to quickly plug the cap and throw away the bottle.

Milk, water and formaldehyde

An effective trap that can be placed not only in problem areas, but also on a table or windowsill. The composition is prepared from water, milk and formalin in proportions 5:3:1. The mixture is poured into a plate or not very deep bowl and placed in the place of greatest concentration of pests.

Milk with pepper

The proposed trap is made similarly to the method described above. Add 4 tablespoons to 1 glass of warm milk. lie ground (black) pepper and 8 tbsp. lie Sahara. The mixture is boiled for 10 minutes over low heat, and then a small plate is filled with it and insect catching begins. You can soak sheets of paper in this solution and hang them over areas where midges accumulate. Diptera will be tempted by sweet and peppery baits, for which they will pay with their lives.

Mechanical methods

The action of some products requires a certain period of time and the insects, accordingly, will disappear gradually. Not everyone wants to use chemicals. Those who can no longer tolerate the presence of midges and want to get rid of them as quickly as possible (this may be most of the swarm) should try the following methods:

Vacuum cleaner

Household appliances are always a reliable assistant in the home. Therefore, many consider a vacuum cleaner an effective means of combating midges. Although they can only collect a large cluster of midges, and even then, some will still run away, and the next day they will have to hunt for the next “batch.” Nevertheless, portable vacuum cleaners are quite popular - I tracked down insects, caught a few and it became easier - at least some of the pests were destroyed. To increase the number of pests caught, you must first set a bait that will gather a large swarm around itself, and then turn on the vacuum cleaner at full power.

Hydration

With the help of a spray bottle, you can indeed moisten the wings of insects and the latter will not be able to fly. This method works, but has several nuances. You immediately need to think about where to quickly remove the midges, and, secondly, correctly calculate the degree of moisture, so that later you do not have to fight the flood.

Ventilation

Ventilation of the apartment must be carried out regularly and without fail. Good air circulation will prevent the appearance of unpleasant odors and excess dampness. Through ventilation can remove a considerable amount of midges from the house.

Smoking

The method is based on insects’ intolerance to strong specific odors. There are several options, but before using each of them, you need to make sure that no one in the house is allergic to the components used.

Camphor in a frying pan

To make camphor work and release the characteristic smell of wormwood, you need to pour the powder into a well-heated frying pan. With such an amazing scent, you can go around all the rooms or leave it until it cools down in the room with the highest “concentration” of midges. In the absence of camphor, clove oil or verbena will be no less effective.

Incense

The phrase “he’s as afraid as the devil of incense” can easily be applied to midges. Fumigation will force insects to quickly and permanently leave the occupied territory. There is no incense - it’s also not a problem; you can safely take sprigs of thyme, pine or juniper for burning.

Mosquito nets

It seems like I installed a mosquito net and not a single insect will penetrate the house, but they break through even such protection. It's all about the cell size (from 0.6 to 1.2 mm) and it cannot always stop midges.

Then additional protection is applied:

The “old-fashioned” way is to buy the most inexpensive nylon tights, cut them and add another layer of mesh.
Chemical repellents are sprays that can be applied to the mesh, and they will repel midges.
Natural helpers - vanillin dissolved in vodka or water, sprayed over a mesh from a spray bottle, and essential oils of eucalyptus, lemon balm, lemon or tea tree are applied using a cotton swab. After such treatment, you can be calm - not a single midge will get into the apartment.

Toothpaste against mosquito bites: application

Toothpaste is the simplest and most effective remedy for mosquito bites. Since it contains peppermint extract, it relieves itching and irritation very well. The big advantage of this folk remedy is that after application, relief occurs almost instantly.

As soon as the paste gets on the skin, it immediately begins to cool it, thereby eliminating all unpleasant symptoms. You can use this product up to 5 times per tap, applying it to the affected areas in a thin layer.

Chemicals

If all of the above methods do not give the desired result and the number of midges in the room becomes catastrophic, “heavy artillery” enters the battle - ready-made means of varying degrees of toxicity and intensity of action. In the proposed list of funds we will move from less powerful to more active.

Repellents

The principle of operation of effective repellers is simple: a special strip impregnated with the active substance is placed in a tank. When the active composition begins to act, the midges either die or rush to leave the home. What you must do after using this product is to regularly ventilate the room well. Among the most popular are “Gardex” and “Breeze-Anti-Mosquito”.

Light traps (zappers)

Special electric traps are among a number of new devices for killing insects. The operating principle of the device is based on the enormous “love” of midges for light. The dipterans rush towards the soft light emitted by the lamp, fall on the internal metal mesh, which is always under voltage (safe for humans), and die. Such traps are quite easy to install, and their obvious advantage is the absence of chemicals.

Glue traps (industrial)

Sticky traps offered by the industry are among the most harmless and affordable means of insect control. They are best used in areas where food is prepared or stored. Velcro tapes should be unrolled and hung under the kitchen ceiling, the result will be visible the very next day.

Velcro, made on a flat surface, is great for killing insects in plants. The device is installed in the ground so that it does not interfere with the flower, and with an alluring aroma it takes on the entire “blow” of the pests. The best representatives of the drugs in this series include: “Flies Away”, FT 001 with an attractant and “Bros”, “Silvalure”.

There are Velcro that fold into the shape of a house, they are effective, they can be placed on shelves, near products, and they have an attractive, clean appearance (“Raptor”, “Aeroxon”).

Fumigators

Compact devices are designed to activate insecticides by heating (fumigators operate from an electrical network). The latter are part of the liquid that fills small reservoirs or special plates. A correctly selected product is designed for a specific area and will ensure the absence of midges in a certain area for a sufficiently long period of time (“Combat”, aquafumigator “Raptor”).

Aerosols

The use of aerosols requires mandatory compliance with all manufacturer's recommendations and compliance with safety precautions. Considering that the chemicals will work for a certain time indoors, it is worth taking care of children's things, toys and food. All of the above must be carefully packed or hidden.

It is important to remember that aerosols and sprays with insecticides can only be used in well-ventilated areas. It is better not to use such products in the children's room and kitchen; if necessary, then act with special attention and caution.

“Combat”, “Raid”, “Dichlorvos”, “Hexachloran”, “Chlorophos”, “Raptor” are some of the most effective means that are used against house flies. And, even if their modern analogues have a pleasant smell, we must never forget that the active substance of these drugs is poison.

Safety and site treatment rules

To achieve a good result and safe operation, a number of conditions must be observed.

Check the weather forecast - choose a sunny, windless day without precipitation.
The use of insecticides is most effective from 05:00 to 07:00 in the morning, or after 21:00, when the sun's rays are less active.
For protection, wear a respirator, safety glasses, overalls, high boots and rubber gloves.
After treatment, be sure to take a shower.
Treat the containers that were used for mixing and spraying the insecticide with an aqueous solution of slaked lime (1:10).
If a toxic substance gets into your mouth, nose or eyes, rinse the mucous membranes with plenty of water at room temperature.
Do not spray beds or trees with ripening fruits.
There should be no animals or people nearby.

Prevention methods

As practice shows, it is much easier to prevent a problem than to deal with its consequences later. This also applies to midges. Keeping your home clean and carrying out preventative maintenance is not as difficult as it might seem.

Enough:

Take out the trash regularly and keep the trash can clean.
Periodically check food products for freshness and compliance with expiration dates.
Spoiled food should be thrown away immediately, or better yet, taken out of the house immediately.
Keep the sink, bathtub and toilet clean, promptly clear blockages, monitor the passage of siphons and disinfect them (“Floop”, “Perffi div”, “Mole Turbo”, “Pothan”).
Constantly monitor the cleanliness of your pets' aquariums, cages, trays and bedding.
Properly water indoor plants and periodically treat the soil with preparations from specialized stores (“Aktara”, “Aktellik”).
When cleaning, use essential oils or products with a strong odor, which midges are not at all happy with.
Install mosquito nets (in warm seasons).

Sipaz Super

The insecticide is an emulsion concentrate. The active ingredient is cypermethrin. Sold in two versions: 1.5 liters and 25 liters.

Retains destructive properties for 1.5 months, guaranteeing the disappearance of pests. Paralyzes insects, which entails their death.

The drug kills bees, so you need to be careful and avoid using it near an apiary.

Directions for use: spray over the area. 3 g of insecticide is diluted per liter of water. If the pest infestation is small, 50 ml of solution per 1 m² will be enough. When faced with a large infestation of mosquitoes and midges, it is recommended to use 100 ml per 1 m².

Approximate price: 2,300 rubles.