This tutorial will explain not just how to eliminate gnats but also keep them away.

Make sure they are actually gnats

Because of their similar sizes and and shapes, gnats are sometimes confused with fruit flies, drain flies, or mosquitoes. Knowing which enemy you are fighting against is important. What works in getting rid of other insects will likely not work on gnats, so try to get an up close look.

The culprit you are after in this case is fungus gnats. These pests are generally black and have long legs. On the other hand, fruit flies are brownish in color and have red eyes, while drain flies are fuzzy with wings that look like those of a moth. There are specific ways to get rid of the latter two. If you are certain you are dealing with gnats, read on to find out how to eliminate them.

Step 1: Set a trap to get rid of gnats

There are several traps you can use if you want to learn how to eliminate gnats inside the house.

  1. ACV trap

The first trap for gnats is the simplest because it includes apple cider vinegar and other ingredients you can find in your kitchen:

  • ½ cup warm water.
  • 6 drops of liquid dishwashing soap.
  • 1 Tbsp. of sugar.
  • 2 Tbsp. of apple cider vinegar.

Method: Mix the contents well in a bowl and then share it out in small containers. Place these containers in areas where the gnats are most frequent. The sweet smell will attract the gnats, but once they get in to feed, the soapy consistency will trap them. Before long, the gnat population in your home would have been drastically reduced. Discard the liquid when it becomes filled with the insects.

  1. Fly paper

Fly or bug paper comes in a ribbon with a sticky surface. You simply unroll it and hang in places where gnats enter into your home, such as doorways and windows. The gooey surface will soon be populated with gnats that land on it in passing. Replace as needed to keep catching gnats. Fly paper also comes in adhesive sheets that you stick to your window.

  1. Use a bug zapping machine

These devices are commonly used to control houseflies and mosquitoes. However, they can work just as well to get rid of gnats. They work by emitting an attracting sound (that only insects can hear) and then electrocutes the pests on contact. This can be pretty effective if gnats are contained in a small area of your home. Some of these zappers can also be used outdoors, so they may be ideal for you if you are interested in knowing how to eliminate gnats outside your house.

Step 2: Use Insect spray for gnats

If traps are not working out or there is simply too many gnats than they can handle, you might want to try out an insect spray. Make sure the insect spray killer you choose is good for getting rid of gnats. With that said, be wary when using bug spray because many contain chemicals that may prove harmful to children and pets. There are some non-toxic insect sprays for gnats on the market, so you could look into getting one of those.

Step 3: Clean up your surroundings

This is possibly one of the most effective methods on this list. Gnats are attracted to a variety of things in your home. These include stale fruit, fresh flowers, house plants, spilled food or drinks, and dirty drains. Being careful to clean your surroundings carefully can help to prevent gnats in the first place or keep them down to a bare minimum.

  • Clean up spills.
  • Promptly discard unused fruit and vegetables.
  • Avoid overwatering plants in your house or garden.
  • Clean your sink drain properly and remove food residue.
  • Keep kitchen and bathroom surfaces dry and sanitized.

Pairing preventative measures with any of the previous solutions on this list will prove effective in getting rid of gnats from your household once and for all.

What is the fastest way to get rid of gnats?

3 Make a trap using apple cider vinegar. In a small bowl, mix a half cup of warm water plus two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, a tablespoon of sugar, and about six drops of liquid dish soap. Gnats will be lured in by the sugary mixture, but once they dip in for a drink, the sticky dish soap will trap them.

How do you get rid of gnats inside the house?

Lure and kill gnats with a mixture of apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and dish soap. (Alternatively, achieve the same result simply by combining red wine and dish soap.) Pour diluted bleach down the sink or tub drain, if you find gnats hovering near plumbing fixtures.

What causes gnats to be in your house?

The following are causes of gnats inside your house:

Moisture: Moist breeding grounds for gnats include food spillage, moist potting soil, overwatered grass or plants, garbage cans, puddles in kitchen or outside your house, leaky pipes under the sink, and condensation around windows and vents.

What keeps gnats away naturally?

Repel them with Scent.

Try Lighting citronella candles, using lemon or vanilla sprays. While gnats are a fan of sweet-smelling fruit, they can’t seem to stand vanilla, lemon, or even lavender. A little spritz can at least keep them at bay.

What do gnats hate the most?

Citronella oil is one of the few things that gnats and other breeds of flies hate the most. You can prepare a spray from Citronella oil that you can use to deter gnats.

Do dryer sheets keep gnats away?

Bounce Fabric Softener Keeps Mosquitoes and Gnats Away

Some people have sworn by the power of Bounce dryer sheets—and specifically Bounce, too—to keep mosquitoes away from them, and gnats out of their garden. Now scientists have proven the power of fluffy white sheets as an insect repellent.

Will vanilla extract keep gnats away?

Solutions For Those Pesky Gnats! Another option which is even cheaper is vanilla extract. Yep. Simply add a few drops of vanilla extract to a small spray bottle of water.

Why are gnats attracted to my face?

The reason gnats fly around your face is because gnats are attracted to the carbon dioxide flume that you emit when you breathe! Most so-called repellents rely upon you spraying yourself with copious amounts of chemicals or sweet smelling perfumes to help prevent gnats from landing and biting.

Will fungus gnats go away on their own?

As the adults lay their eggs and multiply, the infestation continues to grow. Rest assured, however, that you can get rid of fungus gnats without having to trash all of your plants. If the infestation is new, let the soil of infected plants dry out completely, which kills the larvae.

Why won’t fungus gnats go away?

Make the Natural Habitat Inhospitable. This means drying out the soil they live in because fungus gnat larvae need moist soil. If you let it dry out completely before your next watering, it will get rid of the gnats in the soil and discourage new adults from laying their eggs.

At what temperature do gnats die?

Generally, gnats die in cold temperatures and thrive when temperatures are between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Will Dawn dish soap eliminate fungus gnats?

Every other time you water, add one tablespoon of liquid dish soap and one teaspoon of white vinegar to the water. Eventually it will eliminate the fungus gnat larvae. The gnats love it, and will fall into it and die. Replace it every couple of days.

How do you get rid of gnats with Dawn dish soap?

Create a feast for the gnats they can’t resist. Combine a mixture of apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and dish soap.

Lure Method

  1. 2 tablespoons of vinegar.
  2. 1 liter of water.
  3. 1 tablespoon of sugar.
  4. 2-3 drops of Dawn dish soap.

How do you trap gnats with Dawn dish soap?

Into a bowl, add one-half cup of warm water, two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, four to six drops of liquid dish soap, and one tablespoon of sugar. Mix well with a fork until the sugar dissolves and all the ingredients are well blended. Place the bowl anywhere you notice gnats.

Will Epsom salt eliminate gnats?

Yes, Epsom salt kills fungus gnats. Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate, which is toxic to fungus gnats.

Does hydrogen peroxide get rid of gnats?

A peroxide solution apparently kills larvae and eggs on contact, effectively killing off all infant gnats and disrupting the lifecycle. You should be able to buy hydrogen peroxide from any high street pharmacy or online.

How do dryer sheets get rid of gnats?

Does cinnamon eliminate gnats?

Cinnamon powder is a natural fungicide that has been shown to be particularly effective against damping off. It helps control fungus gnats by destroying the fungus that the larvae feed on. True Ceylon cinnamon, or Cinnamomum verum, will work best.