Gnats may be very annoying inside your home despite their little size. You might have questioned how they got there in the first place when you observed some floating around your favorite houseplant or your fruit dish. We’ll explain how to get rid of the ones that are now bothering you as well as how to keep them from coming back.
How to Get Rid of Gnats
The good news is that there are multiple ways to eradicate gnats in and around your home. The even better news? Most of these methods are easy, economical, and effective. Here are a few DIY solutions to try.
1. Trap Fruit Flies with Vinegar and Sugar
It’s likely that you have apple cider vinegar and sugar in your kitchen or pantry, and these items can assist in eliminating gnats.
Position a bowl close to the gnat-infested area, fill it with vinegar, and introduce a teaspoon of plain sugar to attract the gnats. While the vinegar is the substance that will eventually eliminate them, you also need a method to trap them in the bowl for a sufficient duration. You can achieve this by covering the bowl with plastic wrap and making small holes on top or by incorporating a small amount of dish soap into the vinegar and sugar mixture.
If you have an open wine bottle (red works best) that’s gone rancid but you haven’t had the heart to toss it yet, you can swap it for vinegar and follow the rest of the steps.
2. Use Produce That’s Gone Bad
Use a similar strategy to lure and trap fruit flies. Put some rotten fruit, like an apple or banana, in a bowl, cover it securely with plastic wrap, and make tiny holes in it so the gnats can enter but not escape. In the end, they will perish in the makeshift trap. This is a useful reminder for your family to consume fruit before it goes bad.
3. Battle Drain Flies with Bleach
Should you notice pests congregating near the sink drain, take a bottle of bleach and combine half a cup of it with a full gallon of water. Gradually pour this diluted mixture down the drain to eliminate any gnats and potential larvae. Alternatively, achieve similar outcomes by using a commercial drain cleaner. Ensure proper ventilation in the room after employing bleach.
4. Get Rid of Gnats with a Candle
For this method, you need to be available after sunset, but it’s a simple remedy. Fill a pan with water and a small amount of dish soap, and place a tall, tapered candle in the center. Light the candle and ensure the rest of the room is dark. Over time, you’ll observe that the gnats are attracted to the candle and eventually succumb either to the heat or by falling into the soapy solution below.
5. Stock up on Sticky Traps
If all else fails and you don’t want to make a diy solution, consider setting up a store-bought fly trap, like flypaper, cards, or ribbons, close to the area where gnats congregate. To attract fungus gnats, some of these goods are even made to sit in the ground next to a potted plant. When the adhesive side is full enough, discard it and replace it with another. If the issue really doesn’t go away, you can also use a bug zapper designed to catch smaller insects or give a reputable pest management business a call.
Safety Tip: Store-bought sticky traps can be harmful to pets if eaten or chewed on, so be sure to read the packaging carefully and keep an eye on your pets while these are in use.
How to Prevent Gnats in the Future
Once you’ve successfully eradicated the gnats that have been bothering you, it’s time to focus on prevention. So, how do you stop them from returning? Be sure to implement the following habits on a regular basis to keep gnats at bay.
1. Maintain Low Humidity in your Home
Gnats are drawn to areas with high humidity and dampness. Therefore, ensure that the air conditioning functions effectively during the summer, inspect the entire house for leaks, and incorporate a dehumidifier in rooms prone to dampness.
2. Tend to the Trash
When not in use, the lid on your garbage can—especially in the kitchen—should seal tightly. Regular removal of the trash and any interior compost is recommended.
3. Avoid Overwatering Houseplants
The moist soil in indoor plant pots can become a breeding site for gnats. Therefore, either reduce the watering frequency or consider opting for low-maintenance plants that thrive with minimal water.
4. Keep Drains Clean and Dry
This represents a major attraction point for gnats, so give special consideration to your kitchen sink and drain. Regularly clean both, including a garbage disposal if present, maintain the area’s dryness, and employ a drain stopper overnight.
More Ways to Prevent Gnats
- If possible, avoid leaving water dishes for the pets out overnight.
- Make sure there are no tears in window screens or any other small openings where gnats can make their way inside.
- Finish fruit up before it becomes overripe, freeze what you can’t use, and store what you can in the refrigerator.
- Immediately wipe up spills on the floors and countertops, especially if sugar is involved (such as from a cup of juice).
- Place any outdoor standing water features (such as bird baths or fountains) as far from the house, and as clean as possible.
