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<keyword id="26604" type="LOCATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="ladakh">Ladakh</keyword> is a beautiful region in Jammu &amp; Kashmir; popular for its snow-clad mountains, lush valleys and pristine lakes. Especially popular amongst Indians for its breathtaking landscapes, it leaves an impression on every uninitiated traveler. <br /><br />Besides its natural beauty, Ladakh holds unearthed treasure and one of that is an unlikely solution to India’s biggest struggles with sanitation.<br /><br />My first introduction to a ‘’dry toilet” happened on the way to <keyword id="1871976" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="nubra-valley">Nubra Valley</keyword> amidst mountains and a herd of yaks.With no house in sight, I was surprised to find a small brick house in the middle of “Buddha Park”, where we had temporarily stopped. <br />

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<strong>The soil-ution<br /></strong><br />Expecting the worst, I entered this cottage only to find a hole in the middle of a cemented floor. I looked down to check if it was indeed a toilet but locals reassured me that it is a waterless solution to Ladakh’s sanitation issues.<br /><br />As a tourist who’s travelled to many places in India, public toilets are reminiscent of horror stories featuring unbearable stench, flies and varying standards of unhygienic conditions.I was pleasantly surprised that this seemingly suspicious hut was not only clean but odorless.<br /><br /> A dry-<keyword id="1106953" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Compost">compost</keyword>ing toilet doesn’t use water to take the excrement somewhere else. Instead, it allows natural processes to breakdown waste to produce organic compost that is used to enrich the soil used in agriculture.<br /><br /> The toilet is an ingenious two-storied system with the toilet on the top layer and the composting unit underneath.

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<strong>How does it create compost<br /></strong><br /> After using the toilet, people are ideally advised to use a shovel to throw dirt down the hole, not just to cover the odour but also to accelerate the composting process.<br /><br />The villagers ensure that the compost is regularly tended to ensure that the area remains hygienic. <br /><br /> Once the compost gets ready, it is used for agriculture which serves the area twofold.<br /><br /> This system might seem strange to people who have grown up with flush-toilets but for many regions in India where ‘Swachh Bharat’ has not yet reached the loo, this system can prove to be cost-effective in more than one way.

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<br /> The dry-compost toilet saves water and electricity in regions where there is a scarcity. It also eliminates the need for sewage treatment plants, an elaborate sewer network, and the expenses on regular maintenance and operations of these systems. <br /><br /> It can be especially useful in extreme areas of the country; in deserts, where water scarcity necessitates frugal use of water; in rocky areas, where it is not possible to dig for pits and sewers; in coastal and flooded areas, with very high water tables; in earthquake prone zones, as there is no danger of sewage leaking through cracked sewer lines or pits.<br /><br />
	
	
	
	
	
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In an effort to address the absence of adequate sanitation to approx. 600 million Indians, the Indian government has set the target of 100% sanitation by 2022 and is working towards boosting cleanliness and end the practice of open defecation in the country. This simple solution could help solve many problems at once, as the country and the planet struggle to manage the defect in defecation. <br /><br />

This ingenious toilet system in Ladakh could help India reach complete sanitation by 2022

<ul class="summary-list"><li><strong>Know your gnats: there's a difference between gnats, fruit flies, and drain flies.</strong></li><li><strong>Traps made from vinegar, wine, or overripe fruit can help trap gnats and fruit flies.</strong></li><li><strong>Avoid overwatering your plants to keep fungus gnats away.</strong></li></ul><p>Gnats are pesky little insects, whether they're invading your <keyword id="11898442" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="home" source="Orion">home</keyword> or exterior area. The key to getting rid of them is understanding the different types of small flying insects, so you'll know whether you have gnats, fruit flies, or drain flies. Then, it's important to understand what's attracting them to your home so you can take the appropriate steps to get rid of them.</p><p>"There are several species of gnats and they all like saturated soil and organic matter from leaf piles, dead plants, compost, manure, and mulch piles," says David Price, associate certified entomologist and technical director for <a href="https://mosquitojoe.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mosquito Joe</a>. In your home, gnats are drawn to overly-ripe fruit and even food stuck in your garbage disposal.</p><p>"They end up in your yard or around your house from a couple of different sources," he says. "For example, they can be brought in from a plant that has eggs in the soil, mulch that may have eggs or larvae, or from a neighboring property, woods, farm, or nearby wetlands."</p><p>While some gnats can contaminate your food by transferring bacteria from a dirty surface, Price says that in most cases, gnats are just a nuisance. And there are plenty of solutions that require little more than what you've already got lying around. But first, you should know what type of gnat you're dealing with.</p><h2><strong>Gnats vs. fruit flies vs. drain flies</strong></h2><p><strong><div type="image" title="Types of gnats" height="834" width="1667" msid="86246339" hostid="261"></div></strong></p><p>It's quite common to think that "gnats," "fruit flies" and "drain flies" are synonyms for the same small flying insects. But they are three distinct species:</p><p><strong>Fungus gnats</strong> look like small mosquitoes (but they don't bite). They are usually dark gray or black in color. They're tiny, and they have long legs. "Fungus gnats can be found in or outdoors and the larvae will drain the nutrients of a plant," Price explains.  </p><p><a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-get-rid-of-fruit-flies"><strong>Fruit flies</strong></a> look like tiny house flies, and they have large, red eyes. They may be light brown or dark in color. "They are typically brought indoors from any fruit or potato that you buy at a store, and they will quickly move to the drains where organic material is building up. That's why a garbage disposal is a common location," Price says.</p><p><strong>Drain flies</strong> are light in appearance, usually a beige/tan or light gray color. Their appearance is unique because they look quite hairy. "Drain flies are an indicator that water has been standing for a week or more. They often show up in a bathroom that hasn't been used for a while or if there is slime buildup in plumbing pipes," says Price.</p><h2>How to get rid of gnats</h2><div type="image" title="Gnats floating in a dish of wine vinegar." height="592" width="789" msid="86246341" hostid="261"></div><p>Fortunately, there are ways to rid your home and plants of gnats, fruit flies, and drain flies. Solutions below include both traps that will attract any type of gnat and specific solutions for clearing your plants of fungus gnats and your drains of drain flies.</p><p>Keep in mind that these are all short-term solutions, and the concoctions will need to be replaced/refreshed every week or two.</p><h3><strong>Method 1: Vinegar trap</strong></h3><p>Price recommends placing a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, a few drops of dish soap, and a tablespoon of sugar in a bowl and then stirring the contents. "Set your bowl in an area where gnats are prevalent, like your kitchen or bathroom," he says. The gnats will be attracted to the sugar and vinegar, but the dish soap will coat their wings making them unable to fly away.</p><h3><strong>Method 2: Wine trap</strong></h3><p>If you have some stale wine, Price suggests pouring it in a small vessel and then adding two drops of dish soap. "Place the mixture in gnat-filled areas of your home and wait for the bugs to drop in," he says.</p><h3><strong>Method 3: Fruit trap</strong></h3><p>If you choose this method, Price advises covering a jar of rotting fruit with plastic wrap and then punching holes in the wrap. "The gnats will enter the jar and get stuck in it," Price says.</p><h3><strong>Method 4: Fan</strong></h3><p>Vera Peterson, president of <a href="https://www.mollymaid.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Molly Maid</a>, recommends using a small household fan to get rid of gnats. "Turn your fan on a low setting - this moving air will make it tough for gnats to fly, creating a miserable environment for them," she explains. </p><h3><strong>Method 5: Salt, baking soda, and vinegar</strong></h3><p>If the gnats are congregating around your drain, Peterson recommends another concoction: Pour 1 cup of vinegar and a half cup of salt and baking soda down the drain. Let it sit for at least two hours and then pour boiling water down the drain.</p><h3><strong>Method 6: Boiling water</strong></h3><p>In addition to using one of the methods above, Peterson recommends pouring a small pot of boiling water down your drain on a weekly basis to prevent it from developing into an environment gnats are attracted to.</p><h2><strong>How to get rid of gnats in plants</strong></h2><div type="image" title="Gnats on a yellow sticky trap inside a potted plant." height="666" width="888" msid="86246344" hostid="261"></div><p>"While the adult gnat is the annoying telltale sign of an infestation, the real concern is around the larvae that reside in the potting mix," warns Lindsay Pangborn, gardening expert at <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reviews/out?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbloomscape.com%2F" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">Bloomscape</a>. That's because as the larvae develop, they can feed on and damage your plants' roots. "To get rid of gnats, we need to prevent the larvae from maturing into adult gnats," she says.</p><p>Pangborn suggests several solutions.<br /><br /></p><ul><li><strong>Method 1: Sticky traps <br /><br /></strong>Adult gnat populations can be reduced with <a href="https://www.amazon.com/12-Pack-Sticky-Trap-Non-Toxic/dp/B088BJ22B9/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored">yellow sticky traps</a> (the gnats are attracted to the color and will get stuck to the trap). However, she says the traps alone won't solve your gnat problem.<br /><br />To target the larvae, she recommends three specific approaches. All of them require a "drench," which means you should pour the solution throughout the potting mix, making sure to cover all of it as evenly as possible.</li><li><strong>Method 2: Drench soil with neem oil<br /><br /></strong>Be sure to follow the label for both mixing and applying. "Though <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Organic-Neem-Bliss-100-Pressed/dp/B0716JF8MB/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">neem oil</a> has a slightly residual effect (which means that it will last for a while), it's best to repeat the treatment a few times according to the label directions," Pangborn advises.</li><li><strong>Method 3: Drench soil with hydrogen peroxide<br /><br /></strong>For this approach, use one part <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dealmed-Hydrogen-Peroxide-First-Antiseptic/dp/B07GDN51MD/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">3% hydrogen peroxide</a> to four parts water, and she says it's normal for the soil to fizz for a few minutes after application. "The fungus gnat larvae will die on contact with the hydrogen peroxide," Pangborn explains. "After a few minutes the fizzing stops and the peroxide breaks down into harmless oxygen and water molecules; repeat weekly as needed."</li><li><strong>Method 4: Drench soil with BTI<br /><br /></strong>"Bacillus thuringiensis ssp. israelensis is a naturally occurring bacterium that targets gnat larvae," Pangborn says. The most common commercial instances of BTI are in the forms of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Summit-Responsible-Solutions-Mosquito-Bits/dp/B0001AUF8G/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">mosquito bits</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Summit-responsible-solutions-110-12-Mosquito/dp/B0000AH849" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">mosquito dunks</a>. "Mosquito bits can be sprinkled over the surface of the soil and watered in; mosquito dunks can be soaked overnight in a watering can - and you can use the water as a soil drench after soaking."</li></ul><h2><strong>How to get rid of drain flies</strong></h2><p>To get rid of drain flies, Price has one primary recommendation:</p><p>"Combine 1/2 cup salt with 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar and pour down the drain." Leave it overnight, and in the morning, pour boiling water down the drain. "This is a natural remedy that will clean the plumbing pipes and remove the breeding grounds for these flies," he explains. "Additionally, any product that will break down the slime or organic matter that is building up in the pipes will assist in the long term."</p><h2><strong>Keeping gnats at bay</strong></h2><p>An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Peterson recommends keeping your home - and especially your kitchen sink drains and toilets clean and clear. Dispose of any fruit or other produce past its prime, and do the same with any cut flowers.</p><p>Regarding houseplants, Pangborn says gnats are looking for consistently moist environments where they can lay eggs - and that's why potted plants are so attractive to them. "The trouble comes when the top layer of potting mix doesn't dry out between waterings, since the top layer is where the gnats settle," she says. Gnat infestations typically occur with plants that need a lot of water or plants that are overwatered.  </p><p>"One of the best ways to deter fungus gnats is to ensure the top layer of soil is not kept constantly wet." Instead of overhead watering (with a faucet or water can), Pangborn recommends putting your potted plant - be sure it has a drainage hole - in either a tray or sink that's full of a few inches of water. </p><p>"Allow it to sit in the water for anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour; during this time, the water will soak into the bottom of the soil through the drainage hole, and slowly saturate the root ball from the bottom," she says. After you remove the pot, let the excess water drain before putting it back in its saucer or cachepot. "This technique of bottom-watering ensures your plants get the water they need while avoiding the environment that gnats love."</p><p>And she has one last piece of advice. "Since the top layer of soil is where gnats like to be, another trick to keep them away is to replace the top 1 to 2 inches of potting soil with something that doesn't hold water, like perlite."  </p><h2><strong>Insider's takeaway</strong></h2><p>Whether they're in your home or outside, gnats are problematic. You probably have most of the ingredients that can be used to bait and trap them, such as vinegar, wine, and rotting fruit. However, since rotting fruit can also attract gnats, ensure that you're thoroughly <keyword id="11898443" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="cleaning" source="Orion">cleaning</keyword> your kitchen and garbage disposal.</p><p>Regarding plants, overwatering them is likely leading to your gnat problem. Consider watering plants over a sink or drain and then letting the water drain out.</p><a data-type="5c9e14f6d2ce78525b36daaf">How to get rid of fruit flies and prevent them from coming back</a><a data-type="6115203b04eb596690261f5c">How to get rid of ants and keep them from coming back</a><a data-type="6138f3e7f1315a407c189497">What is diatomaceous earth? How to use it to eliminate bugs and pests</a><a data-type="601430439dad2327980e18b3">How to store bread and never throw away a moldy loaf again</a>

How to get rid of gnats and keep them from coming back

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_left float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Jacky Naegelen/Reuters</span></p><p class="caption">Sorting paper and plastic waste in France.</p></div><p></p></div></div>You may be thinking you are doing the world a service when you toss that used paper towel in the recycle, but really, you shouldn't be.</p><p>There's a couple big problems with recycling these paper products.</p><p>First, a dirty paper towel or napkin could harbor all kinds of nastiness that could ruin an entire batch of recyclables.</p><p>While recycling plants do clean the paper products they receive, there's <a href="http://www.techinsider.io/one-stream-recycling-of-paper-and-plastic-is-bad-2015-7">no way to get the grease</a> out of the paper's fibers.</p><p>Recycling plants remix paper into a watery slurry, press it into sheets and dry it out. Since grease isn't extracted during that process, it can show up in the new batch of paper as <a href="http://www.earth911.com/food/the-pizza-box-mystery/">oily spots or even holes</a> where the oil has repelled the water.</p><p>So, products like paper napkins, paper towels, tissues, and anything else that might have come into contact with food, grease, or your filthy, filthy mouth (or any <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAHJCPoWCC8">bodily fluids</a>, really) should be trashed entirely to reduce the likelihood of an entire batch of recyclable paper products being contaminated by one greasy paper towel.</p><p>But the bigger issue with recycling paper towels and napkins is that many of these products were actually created from recycled paper, so they've already been through the recycling process several times.</p><p>Each cycle, the fibers in the paper get shorter. By the time the paper's been reincarnated as a napkin or tissue, the fibers are <a href="https://alumni.stanford.edu/get/page/magazine/article/?article_id=29080">too short to be used again</a>.</p><p>On the bright side, you don't necessarily have to send your paper towels and napkins to the landfill. There are a couple of alternate choices to make your life more sustainable and eco friendly.</p><p>Using fewer paper products in general is a good first step - using kitchen towels and handkerchiefs instead of paper products can help.</p><p>And secondly, since the short fibers in these products break down easily, they are a <a href="http://davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/queen-of-green/faqs/composting/can-you-compost-paper-towels/">great candidate</a> for the compost pile - especially if they're unbleached and not too soiled.</p><p><a href="http://davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/queen-of-green/faqs/faqs-about-composting/">Some experts</a> say you shouldn't compost these paper products if you're seriously sick or if the products are greasy, but <a href="http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/recycling/questions/can-i-recycle-used-tissues">others say it's not a big deal</a>. Most caution <a href="http://www.nrdc.org/cities/living/chlorine.asp">against chlorine-bleached products</a>, however, because some chlorine byproducts can be detrimental to human and environmental health.</p><p>So if you're feeling guilty about tossing those tissues and paper towels, don't. These kinds of paper products, including your toilet paper, are made of paper that's already recycled as many times as it reasonably can be.</p>

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