Gnats

[spgreene]

First time home brewer here.

Boiled my first batch (American wheat from Northern Brewer) on Jan. 1. It's been fermenting away happily in our guest bathroom. I noticed gnats around my fermenter on day 3. Airlock still has plenty of sanitizer in it. The wife did a little research and we put a bowl of rice wine vinegar out and that has seemed to help a little. Any tips or tricks for keeping the little buggers away?

Thanks!

 

[1977Brewer]

They LOVE beer. If they stick around, you are still making or drinking beer.

 

[spgreene]

No, seriously, the wife is not pleased. She's a bit of a neat freak. If I can't make them go away I'll have to start homebrewing in someone else's home.

 

[1977Brewer]

To make them die, leave a little beer or wort in your least loved glass with a drop of dish soap.

 

[spgreene]

Definitely going to try that.

Now there are a couple of dead ones in my sanitizing solution in the airlock. Should I be concerned?

I didn't plan on opening the fermenter until Wednesday but I kinda want to clean out the airlock and check the SG.

 

[1977Brewer]

They are dead, but sanitary. If they're bothering you, dump the airlock and refill.