How to Get Rid of Gnats

These pesky flying bugs are often found in homes. Although gnats won't damage your home, they can potentially carry diseases that may be harmful to you and your family. This is why it's important to tackle the problem before it gets out of hand. There are a few different types of annoying flying creatures that might infest your home: gnats, fruit flies, and drain flies. You can use the same methods to get rid of gnats and fruit flies – both are attracted to sugar, so many of the traps listed below will work on both pests. Drain flies will need a different method. No matter what type of fly is plaguing your home, there are many easy ways to get rid of them that you can do yourself. There are our top tips for getting rid of a gnat infestation.

What Causes Gnat Infestations?

Several things can give rise to a gnat infestation. Trash, rotten fruit and decomposing foods, and excessive moisture are common causes of gnat infestations. Gnats, fruit flies, and drain flies love moisture and any organic material they can use as food.

How to Get Rid of Gnats

There are many ways to get rid of gnats in your home. You can make a variety of traps to lure the pesky critters in and kill them. If you go through these different methods and still find yourself with an infestation on hand, you may want to consult a pest control professional. In most cases, you should be able to manage it yourself.

Apple Cider Vinegar Trap

Gnats love sugar, so you can lure them in by mixing ½ cup of warm water, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and 6 drops of dish soap in a small bowl. Place the bowl near the area where the gnats are. The gnats will go to the sugary mixture then become trapped in the soap and drown. You can use this method with any type of vinegar: white vinegar, red wine vinegar, rice vinegar, and balsamic vinegar all work.

Fruit Trap

Have a few overripe bananas on hand? You can use rotten fruit to lure gnats to their doom. Put the fruit in a bowl, then tightly cover the bowl with cling film. Use a rubber band to keep it in place, then poke a couple of holes with a toothpick or skewer. The gnats (and any fruit flies) will head to the fruit and crawl through the holes to reach it, but not be able to crawl back out.

Wine Trap

Use leftover wine or a bottle of cheap wine to make a wine trap. The wine should be oxidized and smell like vinegar. This trap is similar to the vinegar trap – just add a few drops of soap to the wine, position it near the gnats, and wait.

Candle Trap

The candle trap is a tried and true way to get rid of gnats. Place a candlestick in a small pan with water. Put a tall candle in the candlestick. Light the candle, then turn off the lights. The gnats will be attracted to the candlelight, but once they get too close, will hit the flame then fall into the water. Just make sure not to leave the candle unattended.

Diluted Bleach Solution

You may have noticed the gnats hanging around your drains, which means they may not be gnats, but drain flies. If this is the case, a diluted bleach solution will be the most effective method for getting rid of them. Open your kitchen window to ensure proper ventilation, and consider wearing a mask. Dilute ½ cup of bleach with 1 gallon of water. Pour it down the drain and say goodbye to your pest infestation.

How to Prevent Gnat Infestations

Avoiding gnat infestations is easy. Taking these simple steps can save you a load of hassle down the line. Don't leave fruit out, and if it starts to go off, be sure to dispose of it quickly. Take out the trash regularly, and don't overwater your plants. If you notice any cracks in your home, whether it be in the walls, the foundations, or the windows, seal them up. This will help stop the gnats from getting into your home in the first place.