Why Are Gnats So Bad This Year in Alabama?
Why are gnats so bad this year here in Alabama? If these flying pests have plagued your summer, you’re not alone.
Luckily, your trusted local experts at Vulcan Termite are here to cover all your questions!
Keep reading to learn:
- Why gnat problems in Alabama homes seem worse this summer
- How to identify gnats
- How to identify what’s making gnats thrive in your home
- How to take your summer back from gnats (banish them from your home)
Why Are Gnats So Bad This Year in Alabama?
Alabama’s subtropical climate is an excellent breeding ground for insects, but why are gnats so bad this year?
Record Heat Waves Are Amplifying Usual Humidity
Record-breaking heat waves have hit Earth especially hard this summer, and Alabama is already known for its exceptionally high humidity.
The combined result is a muggy, stifling atmosphere that supports a growing population of cold-blooded animals and the production of many animals’ food sources, such as fungus, molds, damp, and organic materials softened with water damage. Gnats are one such animal that is thriving in these conditions, which is why they’re an extremely common problem in Alabama this year, even now in the middle of August.
Is This a Climate Change Thing?
Even if you’re not sure what to think about climate change, when you compare temperatures recorded at the same times of year and in the same regions, year over year, it is clear that average temperatures and humidity in the summertime have steadily risen here in Alabama and worldwide.
As we mentioned before, gnats rely on high heat and humidity. They love moisture and the scent of things they feed on, such as organic waste and matter like potting soil, produce, plants, and sewage. Whether or not you believe climate change is the culprit, the environment keeps getting hotter and more conducive to gnat life.
How to Identify Gnats
Gnats are small flies that belong to the same insect group as midges, mosquitoes, and crane flies. They are attracted to body temperature, breath (CO2), and scents, which explains why they like to swarm around humans and other animals.
Gnats are often mistaken for other small insects, such as fruit flies. The key way to tell these two apart is by their bodies: gnats are skinny and roughly mosquito-sized, while flies are larger with a stouter body.
Biting vs Non-Biting Gnats
Some gnats have piercing mouthparts that allow them to feed on blood. Their bites cause reactions similar to mosquito bites, including itching, swelling, and skin irritation. Biting gnats thrive best outdoors, so they are less likely to be found in your home.
Although many gnats, such as fungus gnats, don’t bite, they are still a nuisance due to their rapid reproduction rate, spread of fungus, and tendency to fly straight into people’s noses and mouths.
Types of Gnats
Let’s take a closer look at the types of gnats you might encounter:
- Fungus gnats. These are the most common kind of gnat, which dwell around overwatered houseplants, where they lay their eggs and feed on the fungus that grows in wet soil.
- Drain flies. As their name implies, these tiny, fluffy, black, round flying insects feed on buildup in sink drains. They’re also known as phorid flies.
- Midges. Although they’re technically not gnats, these tiny flies resemble mosquitoes and similarly like to swarm around lakes, ponds, and other bodies of water.
- Black flies. This is a broad term for dark-colored gnats. Both biting and non-biting varieties exist.
- Sand flies. These biting gnats are found in tropical environments. Alabama has a subtropical climate, so you’ll find these pests in most places with sand, such as Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Eliminating Gnats
Gnats will tend to gravitate toward kitchens, bathrooms, and wherever you keep your houseplants. Here are a few prevention tips for handling these pesky insects:
Steps for Keeping the Kitchen Clean:
- Take out the trash and line trash cans with bags
- Don’t leave out dishes with food residue
- Make sure no standing water or food residue is in your sink drain or garbage disposal
- Wipe down your countertops and stove with an effective cleaning solution
- Mop and sweep the floors
- Cover the fruit bowl
- Store food in sealed containers
- Clean up stray crumbs
Steps for Keeping the Bathroom Clean:
- Flush the toilet and keep the lid down
- Ensure your sink and shower drains are never clogged
- Take out the trash
- Wash and replace used towels
- Cover your toothbrush
Additional Tips
- Don’t leave windows or doors open for an extended period of time
- Be careful not to overwater your plants, and change the soil at the first sign of fungal growth
- Vacuum often, especially in carpeted areas
Got Gnat Troubles?
Indoor pests are inevitable during the summer, but they don’t have to ruin yours.
If gnats or other insects have infiltrated your home, we’ve got your back. Contact Vulcan Termite & Pest Control for summer pest control that eliminates gnats and other uninvited insects from your home.