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How to Get Rid of Gnats

Do you have a problem with pesky gnats flying around your house? If so, you’re not alone. A gnat infestation can be a real nuisance, and they can be difficult to get rid of. In this article, we will provide you with some tips on how to get rid of gnats for good. We will also provide information on how to prevent gnat infestations from happening in the first place.

What are Gnats?

Gnats are small flying insects that are often found near sources of moisture. They consist of various species, including fruit flies, fungus gnats, and drain flies. Gnats are attracted to damp areas, such as kitchens and bathrooms.

They can also be found near potted plants or in other areas where there is standing water. Some species of gnats can bite, but most gnats do not pose a threat to humans.

Gnats lay eggs near sources of moisture, and the larvae develop in these damp areas. Once they mature into adults, they emerge and begin to mate. The entire life cycle of a gnat can be as short as two weeks.

A Quick Summary: How to Get Rid of Gnats

There are several things you can do to get rid of gnats in your home.

  • Make a gnat trap by mixing together apple cider vinegar, sugar, a few tablespoons of dish soap, and water to lure and kill gnats. (Red wine and dish soap work as well.)
  • Fill a large bowl of rotten fruit. Cover the top of the banana mash with plastic wrap and poke small holes in it.
  • If you have gnats near your plumbing fixtures, mix bleach and water and pour the mixture down you tub drain or sink.
  • If you see individual gnats flying around, get a spray bottle filled with vinegar and dish soap diluted with warm water and spray them.
  • Using fly paper is another way to get rid of gnats.

For more details on each of these methods, keep reading.

How to Get Rid of Gnats: A Step-by-Step Guide

There are several things you can do to get rid of gnats in your home. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get rid of gnats:

Method 1: Make a Dish Soap Trap

Mix together apple cider vinegar, sugar, dish soap, and water. The apple cider vinegar will lure the gnats into the trap, and the dish soap will drown them.

How to make dish soap traps:

In a medium-sized bowl, mix together one cup of apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon of sugar, one teaspoon of dish soap, and two cups of water.

Next, leave out the bowl near where you’ve seen the gnats. The gnats will be attracted to the apple cider vinegar and will fly into the bowl.

You can place the bowl near potted plants, near your sink, or in any other area where you’ve seen the gnats.

Make sure to check the bowl regularly and empty it when it’s full.

Method 2: Use Rotten Fruit to Lure Gnats

rotten-fruit

Gnats are attracted to the smell of rotting fruit. You can use this to your advantage by making a trap out of rotten fruit.

To make the trap, start by mashing up an overripe banana in a bowl. You can add other rotten fruits, such as grapes or apples.

Once you have a bowl of overripe fruit mash, cover the top of it with plastic wrap. Poke tiny holes in the plastic wrap so that the gnats can get in.

Place the fruit bowl near where you’ve seen the gnats and wait for them to fly in. The gnats will be attracted to the sweet smell of the fruit and will fly into the bowl.

Make sure to check the bowl regularly and empty it when it’s full.

Method 3: How to Get Rid of Gnats in Your Drains

 sink-drain

If you have gnats near your plumbing fixtures, such as your sink drains, garbage disposal, or tub, they may be coming up from the drain. To get rid of the gnats, you’ll need to clean your drains.

Remove gnats from sinks, tubs, and garbage disposals:

To clean your drains, mix one-half cup of bleach with one cup of water. Pour the diluted bleach solution down your tub drain or sink and let it sit for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, flush your drains with boiling water. This will kill any gnats that are in your drains and help to prevent them from coming back.

If you still see gnats after cleaning your drains, you may need to call a plumber to check for drain flies.

Method 4: Get Rid of Gnats in Your Indoor Plants

If you have indoor plants, they may be attracting gnats. To get rid of the gnats, you’ll need to clean your plants.

Start by removing any dead leaves or stems from your plants. Then, mist your plants with a mixture of water and a few drops of dish soap. This will kill any gnats that are on your plants.

You can also try placing yellow sticky traps near your plants. The gnats will be attracted to the yellow color and will fly onto the traps.

If the gnats are in the potting soil, you’ll need to re-pot your plants. Remove the plant from the pot and discard the old potting soil. Rinse your plant’s roots and repot it in fresh potting soil.

Method 5: How to Kill Gnats Flying Around

If you see individual gnats flying around, you can spray them with a mixture of water and vinegar.

To make the spray, mix one cup of water with one cup of vinegar. Add a few drops of dish soap to the mixture and stir it well.

Put the mixture in a spray bottle and spray it directly on the gnats. The sticky dish soap will immobilize and drown the gnats.

You can also try using a fly swatter or newspaper to swat the gnats.

Method 6: Trap Gnats with a Candle Trap

This method works best in a dark room, such as a bathroom.

The light from the candle will attract gnats into the jar.

To make the trap, you’ll need a glass jar, a candle, and some petroleum jelly. If you don’t have petroleum jelly, you can also use honey or sugar.

Start by coating the outside of the jar with petroleum jelly. Then, place the candle in the middle of the jar and light it.

Leave the jar in the room where you’ve seen the gnats and wait for them to fly in. The jar will trap the gnats so they can’t escape.

Alternative traps you can try:

  • LED light trap: Replace the candle in the jar with an LED light.
  • Fruit fly trap: baited with a piece of fruit, such as a banana or grape.
  • Sugar trap: baited with a mixture of sugar and water.

Method 7: Call a Professional Pest Control Company

If you’ve tried all of the methods above and you’re still seeing gnats, it’s time to call a professional pest control company.

A pest control company will be able to identify the type of gnat infestation you have and recommend the best course of treatment.

Preventing Gnat Infestations

The best way to get rid of gnats is to prevent them from coming into your home in the first place. Here are some tips to help you prevent gnat infestations:

  • Keep your garbage can clean and covered.
  • Don’t leave food or drinks out.
  • Wipe up spills immediately.
  • Don’t leave dirty dishes in the sink.
  • Keep your counters, floors, and surfaces clean.
  • Vacuum regularly.
  • Don’t overwater your plants.
  • Keep your drains clean by regularly pouring boiling water down them monthly.
  • Keep food stored in airtight containers.

Gnats can be a huge nuisance. But with a little patience and effort, you can get rid of them for good. Try one (or more) of the methods above and say goodbye to those pesky gnats!

Summary

If you have a gnat problem, there are several things you can do to get rid of them. You can clean your drains, mist your plants with a mixture of water and dish soap, place yellow sticky traps near your plants, or use a fly swatter to kill them. To prevent gnats from coming into your home, keep your garbage can clean and covered, don’t leave food or drinks out, and wipe up spills immediately. These tips can help you get rid of gnats and prevent them from coming back.

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