Claudia Byatt
Home & Garden

Plant enthusiast’s simple solution to get rid of pests

A plant enthusiast has come up with an easy way of getting rid of gnats and fruit flies around houseplants for good.

Graphic designer Brad Canning created his own bug “trap” using three products, dishwashing liquid, apple cider vinegar and honey.

The 29-year-old man, who owns more than 60 indoor plants, mixed the three ingredients in a small bowl and placed it near his houseplants. 

The method works because fungus gnats and fruit flies are attracted to the sweet smell and taste of apple cider vinegar and honey, once they try to drink it, the sticky dish soap would trap them. 

“How annoying are these tiny little bugs? They’re flying around because you’ve got a couple of houseplants. Lets get rid of them. It’s pretty straight forward,” Brad said in his TikTok video.

He made his DIY solution by combining a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, a dollop of honey and a splash of dishwashing liquid. Braid said white vinegar will work in lieu of apple cider vinegar. 

“Give it a little bit of mix," he said.

“The gnats will be completely attracted to it. They’ll fly in there and will die,” Brad said, adding: “So this will only help to get rid of adult gnats.”

The video went viral with many saying they can’t wait to give the method a go at home while those who tried it said it did in fact work. 

“I did this and it 100 per cent worked for gnats - took a day or two so be patient,” one said. 

Image credit: TikTok

Tags:
Gnats, Houseplants, Pests, Cleaning