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Is Diatomaceous Earth Safe? A Look at the Science Behind Its Uses

10 Amazing Uses for Diatomaceous Earth in the Home

Everything You Need To Know For Total Rodent Control

Diatomaceous Earth: The Secret Weapon in Your Pest Control Arsenal

Graveyard Gardening: Using Diatomaceous Earth to Revive Soil

Homemade Halloween Decor: Cauldron Concoctions

How to protect plants during the colder season: Mummify

Spooky Soil Secrets: Unearth the Magic of Diatomaceous Earth for Halloween Gardens

Top 10 Beginner Gardening Tips

Spring Detox Guide: Smoothie Recipes

Uses For Diatomaceous Earth – Diatomaceous Earth For Insect Control

Benefits of Starting Your Own Beekeeping Garden

Does Diatomaceous Earth Kill Bed Bugs?

How to Apply Diatomaceous Earth for Cockroaches

Natural Indoor Ant Treatment

Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth: Human Benefits

Diatomaceous Earth: Natural Bed Bug Control

DE Detox: Cleanse Your Body with Diatomaceous Earth

How to Chase Away Rodents with Diatomaceous Earth

Natural Flea Control for Cats with Diatomaceous Earth

Natural Flea Control for Dogs with Diatomaceous Earth

Does Diatomaceous Earth Have Side Effects?

Diatomaceous Earth for Cats

The Difference Between DE and Bentonite Clay

Health Benefits of Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth: The Natural Cockroach Killer

Diatomaceous Earth for Dogs

Can Diatomaceous Earth Help Me Lose Weight?

Beginner's Guide to Diatomaceous Earth

Why Home Remedies for Bed Bugs Are Your Only Option

Diatomaceous Earth Benefits Your Hair, Skin, and Nails

Using DE to Polish Copper Bottomed Pots and Pans

Keep Silverware from Tarnishing

Diatomaceous Earth: Deodorizing The Bread Box

Diatomaceous Earth: Elk Feed Additive

Polishing and Cleaning Silver and Pewter Utensils

Polishing and Cleaning Utensils (Non-Silver)

Diatomaceous Earth: Deodorizing Your Vacuum

Diatomaceous Earth: Goose Feed Additive

Diatomaceous Earth: Deodorizing Shoes

Diatomaceous Earth: Bison Feed Additive

Diatomaceous Earth: Polish Out Hard Water Stains

How Do You Spell Diatomaceous Earth?

Diatomaceous Earth: Deodorizing Trash Cans

Diatomaceous Earth: Duck Feed Additive

How Our Diatomaceous Earth Is Going Green

Deodorizing Cupboards, Drawers, and Closets with DE

Pesticides and Dogs Don't Mix

The Many Names of Diatomaceous Earth

Wilcox 3 Quart Duster

How to Get Rid of Gnats in the House

fruit-fly

Gnats is a term people use for the small, winged insects they find in their homes. These "gnats" are usually fruit flies or fungus gnats, and they seem to come from nowhere. Check out the places in your home where gnats might be lurking:

  • Overripe fruit that has been sitting out
  • Old potatoes or onions
  • Indoor potted plants with decaying matter in the soil
  • Overwatered potted plants
  • Dirty dishes
  • Anything wet or damp
  • Here are some tips on how to get rid of gnats in the house.

    Potted Plants

    potted-plants

    Sometimes when you purchase potted plants-especially from the grocery store-they bring gnats with them. Gnats will lay eggs in the soil so when they hatch two to three weeks later and feed on the fungi, algae, and decaying plant matter found in the soil. To prevent bringing gnats into the home, re-pot your plants into some new soil. Remove as much of the old soil as possible, brush it all out, and then wash the pot in hot, soapy water. Dump the new soil in and re-pot the plant.

    One of the best ways to combat this is watering less since most plants do fine without watering multiple times a week. It's best to switch to just one single soaking a week and draining the excess water. This is a good practice to maintain since poor drainage leads to plant rot. To test out whether your plants need to be watered, put your finger in the soil up to the first knuckle. If it's still wet, then your plant doesn't need to be watered.

    Dust your potted plants with diatomaceous earth to keep the topsoil dry and desiccate any larvae or gnats that land on the plant. On the day you water your plant, add some more crawling insect control diatomaceous earth to the soil again. This works especially well for a severe gnat problem (as well as a few other insects like whiteflies, blackflies, and other flying insects).

    Some people recommend purchasing Houseplant Sticky Stakes for gnats and whiteflies.

    Here is another innovative idea. Use a Bounce® sheet on your soil, or in other areas where gnats are congregating. In 2010, Kansas State University published a report that backed up the idea that Bounce® sheets do indeed repel gnats.

    De-"gnatting" Your Home

    rotting-fruit

    Throw out any rotting fruit, or any fruit that might be deemed "questionable". Gnats love any decaying matter and old food is definitely an attractant. Even before the fruit starts to decay, gnats are attracted to it. Fruit should be placed in the fridge to protect it from the gnats.

    Place jars of apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar, but apple cider vinegar works better) at least halfway filled into a container with a wide opening. Cover with plastic wrap and hold it in place with a rubber band. Using a toothpick to poke holes in the top. The smell from the vinegar attracts the gnats but once they get inside they're trapped. Place these jars around your house plants, garbage, fruit bowls, and any other areas infested with gnats.

    You can also use neem oil as a spray on the plants.

    Take Out the Trash

    trash

    After you've thrown out all of your rotting fruit, be sure to take out the garbage as well. This keeps your house smelling fresh and rotting to a minimum.

    Sometimes people keep a small compost bucket inside the house before they take it out to the pile outside. Try to avoid this practice. Even though it means more frequent trips outside to the compost pile.

    Garbage doesn't always make it inside the bag. This means that old food can be sitting and rotting in your garbage can even though you regularly take your garbage out. Wash the inside of the garbage can with hot soapy water. After it's dried, dust the inside of the garbage can with diatomaceous earth to keep it deodorized.