Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Remove food and water
• Part 2 of 3: Cleaning the kitchen
• Part 3 of 3: Catching midges
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

Midges are flying insects that are attracted to fruit, rotting plants and standing water. Midges are often referred to in the same breath as fruit flies, but are often referred to as sand flies themselves. They can lay hundreds of eggs at the same time and can quickly become a real nuisance in the kitchen. Read on to find out how to get rid of midges in the kitchen.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Remove food and water

1. Look in the kitchen for foods that have not been cleaned up. Pay particular attention to fruit and vegetables that are not in the refrigerator or another cupboard. Place the foods in the fridge while you fight the midges infestation.
   • Like fruit flies, midges can intensely enjoy ripening and rotting fruit. To get rid of midges, keep the fruit in the fridge - even if not strictly necessary.
   • Keep dry products in closed containers and put them in the cupboard.
2. Pour away standing water. Think of the water in glasses, the drinking water for pets and the water for plants. These are places where midges can lay hundreds of eggs per day.
   • Put pet water in a room without food. Explain to your family members and / or housemates that they cannot leave glasses of water standing while you are fighting the midges plague.
3. Take out the trash. Midges often feed on and reproduce on rotting waste. Regularly dispose of the trash and close the trash can tightly with a lid.
4. Only keep compost outdoors. Immediately dispose of the compost in a pile after preparing meals. Rinse the compost basket thoroughly after use.
5. See if any plants are rotting. Midges like to live in and around rotting flowers and house plants. Check the plant roots to see if there is any rot. Discard dying plants.
   • Never overwater your plants. Midges can settle on the bottom of the water and cause the roots to rot and die.
   • Transfer plants to other pots if the soil is not well-drained. Always use pots with drainage holes. Place pebbles at the bottom of the pot for extra water drainage.
   • Place the plants in the sink or bathtub when you water them. Pour the water into the soil and let it drain at the bottom. Only then put them on the shelf in the house. This limits the amount of water that collects in the saucer of the jar.

Part 2 of 3: Cleaning the kitchen

1. Wipe all crumbs off the counter and the sink.
2. Spray detergent on all surfaces. Let it sit long enough to disinfect the surfaces.
3. Thoroughly clean the surfaces with a clean, wet sponge.
4. Dry the counter and sink well with a tea towel or kitchen paper. Make sure that standing water does not stand a chance.
   • Pay close attention to the areas around the sink. Low lying spots can quickly fill with standing water after you have done the dishes. If you have mildew in these areas, chances are they are too moist - this means you will need to clean and dry those areas more often.
5. Clean the food waste grinder with ice cubes and lemon zest. Run plenty of water through the grinder while cleaning. Midges often reside in the food scraps that accumulate in the food scraps grinder.
6. Pour a cup (250 ml) of ammonia through the food waste grinder and / or the sink. Let it sit for an hour before rinsing them thoroughly with water. In this way you will kill the midges that live in those places.
7. Fill a small bowl with apple cider vinegar. Also squirt a few drops of dish soap into the bowl. Mix the vinegar and soap well.

Part 3 of 3: Catching midges

1. Place the bowl of vinegar in the kitchen during the day and at night. The vinegar scent will attract midges. Unfortunately for them, they will get stuck in the sticky soap.
   • Discard the midges with the vinegar mixture and flush them down the sink. Replace the contents of the bowl every morning. Place a mosquito trap in every room with food and / or every room with a mosquito problem.
2. Purchase a mosquito repellent from the hardware store / supermarket. If you have to use a chemical pesticide, make sure there is no one in the house for a day.
   • Place all foods in the refrigerator or in airtight containers in cupboards. Spray the mosquito repellent in the kitchen. Wear a mask and leave immediately. Bring pets and family members with you.
   • Clean all surfaces thoroughly upon return. Chemical insecticides can be fatal to children and pets.

Tips

• Always try to choose natural methods. For example, make sure not to leave food on the counter or table, and clean all surfaces thoroughly. Do this before opting for a chemical spray. Most mosquito problems can be overcome by removing nesting and feeding areas for at least a week.

Warnings

• Never use insecticide while the kitchen is still in use. Follow the safety instructions on the product packaging to avoid health problems.

Necessities

• Packaging that you can close properly
• A refrigerator to store fruit and vegetables
• A compost pile
• Flower pots with drainage holes
• Pebbles
• A sponge
• Tea towels
• All-purpose cleaner
• Ammonia
• Ice cubes
• Lemon peel
• Apple cider vinegar
• Dishwashing liquid
• A bowl
• Mosquito repellent