How to Get Rid of Gnats [8 Possible Ways]

At some point in your life, you’ve experienced gnat infestation in your garden or your home. How to get rid of gnats is a constant concern. This article addresses home remedies and solutions, as well as companies that can assist you with gnats, as well as other insects.

What May Attract Gnats in Your House?

There are many types of these annoying insects called gnats, including (among others) buffalo and fungus gnats, as well as drain and fruit flies.

But how do I end up with gnats in my house? A few elements could be attracting them to your house.

First, most gnats are attracted to sweet scents—especially the smell of bananas or citrus fruit.

What is appealing to gnats in your garden is also appealing in your house, some of which include:

• Spoiled food, dirty dishes, trash bags full of junk
• Fertilized, moist soil if you have plants inside
• Deteriorating organic material (mostly from your garbage or sink drain)
• All sorts of flowers

Gnats have a short lifespan of (typically) several weeks but are capable of quick reproduction in the soil of your houseplants, which can pose problems. But fortunately, you can learn simple methods to get rid of them.

How to Get Rid of Gnats 

There are many versatile ways to eliminate gnats. We’ve noted the following best ways via traps, chemical spray, bug zapper, etc.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar Solution

Vinegar is a kitchen-friendly product that can be used in many situations other than cooking, including creating an apple cider vinegar solution trap:

Ingredients:

• Dish soap
• One tablespoon of sugar
• Dish or small bowl

Instructions:

• Pour one cup of apple cider vinegar into the bowl and add one tbsp of sugar;
• Add a few drops of dish soap into the bowl (do not stir);
• Cover the opening with plastic wrap. Poke several small holes (e.g., with toothpicks) in the plastic and place the bowl near the fruit flies;

(After some time, the container will be full of drowned gnats.)

2. Flypaper Trap

This is another trap for killing gnats in the house—simply wait for the annoying pests to stick to the honey.

Ingredients:

• A few (e.g., popsicle) sticks
• Colored paper
• Honey
• Glue

Instructions:

• Cut strips from the colored paper;
• Attach the sticks to the paper with glue;
• Put honey on one side of each sheet of paper and place the sticks (like a flag) into the soil of your plants.

You can also simply place the honey on one side of the paper and lay it near the gnats. (The vivid colors of the paper will attract the gnats.)

3. Wine Trap

Similar to apple cider vinegar, wine also attracts gnats and fruit flies.

Ingredients:

• Mason jar or plastic bottle
• Paper cone
• Dish soap

Instructions:

• Fill the bottle or jar halfway with red wine;
• Put the peak of the paper cone down the neck of the bottle;
• Add a few drops of dish soap to the solution;
• Place the trap near the gnats.

(This will cover the gnats’ wings with the soap and disable them from flying.)

4. Candle Trap

A candle trap is next in the line of home remedies for gnats.

Ingredients:

• A fruit-flavored or citronella oil candle
• A bowl or tray
• Dish soap

Instructions:

• Put the candle upright in a bowl (or tray) half-full of water;
• Drip a few drops of dish soap into the water;
• Put the bowl near the gnats cloud;
• At night, light the candle so that the gnats are attracted to the light and scent and drown in the water.

(Keep in mind that you shouldn’t leave the candlelit overnight when you go to sleep.)

5. Diluted Bleach

Sometimes gnats can swarm your pantry,  kitchen, or bathroom. But there is a solution to this problem.

Ingredients: 

• A half-cup of diluted bleach
• One gallon of water

Instructions:

• Mix the half cup of bleach into the gallon of water;
• Slowly pour the mixture down the plumbing pipe;
• Repeat this process every day until you get rid of gnats inside the drain.

6. Spray

How to get rid of gnats indoors can also include the use of such essential oils as tea tree, rosemary,  lemongrass, peppermint, citronella, or eucalyptus.

Ingredients:

• Spray bottle
• One cup of water
• One cup of white vinegar
• Rosemary, eucalyptus, and peppermint oil

Instructions:

• Mix 9 drops of rosemary oil, 14 drops of eucalyptus oil, and 7 drops of peppermint oil with the water and white vinegar;
• Pour  into the spray bottle;
• Mix until all ingredients homogenize.

(This spray is eco- and pet-friendly.)

7. Bug Zapper

Bug zappers are electrocution traps that can help you with reducing the number of gnat clouds. Therefore, it’s essential to find a reliable and proven bug zapper that will not break, which could happen if too many insects are stuck to it.

8. Pest Control Companies

Home warranty companies don’t typically cover gnats in their policies. But some pest control companies can help when it comes to getting rid of gnats in the house. Consider the following three pest control companies: Terminix, Aptive, and Orkin.

Terminix

Terminix is a well-known name in the pest control business, with more than 90 years of experience and 2.8 million household and commercial clients.

Terminix provides various plans according to the region or location of the branch, the intensity of the infestation, and the type of treatment required. Their general pest control plan is offered everywhere in the US and includes a monthly or one-time service.

Pricing: 

If you wish to get rid of gnats in your house, you should set aside $550 to $700 per year for a 2,000 sq. ft. home or $80 per month for the ticking service.

Terminix prices typically range from $550 to $700 annually for a 2,000 sq. ft. home. Mosquito services start at roughly $60 per month and tick services about $80 per month.

Aptive Environmental

Founded in 2015, Aptive is a pest control firm that provides top-notch service, making homes and families safer and pest-free. The company was featured in Entrepreneur’s Best Companies in America.

If you consider getting rid of gnats via Aptive, keep in mind that they provide an inspection of your home with a certified specialist who generates a customized protection plan. This is included in their Four-Seasons Protection Plan, which is a year-round pest treatment service. They also provide a full inspection service that consists of a flushing treatment, which exterminates 80% of adult pests in your house.

Pricing: 

Pricing with Aptive is straightforward since they offer only one plan. The Four-Season Protection Plan includes an annual cost between $560 and $620 for a 2,000 sq. ft. home. The cost of the service depends on the sort of pests you have in your home, the intensity of the infestation, and the size of your home.

Orkin

Since 1901, Orkin has had 120 years of experience in the business. Its pest control specialists must complete extensive targeted training, making the company the industry leader that efficiently works with all kinds of pests. They serve more than 1.8 million residents and commercial clients.

Orkin provides effective solutions for how to get rid of gnats in your house. They have a general plan for pest control, protecting your property from any well-known house pests, such as rodents, stinging pests, ants, etc. While Orkin can kill gnats in your home, they also provide professional and selected termite treatment and bed bug control services.

Pricing:

Orkin’s general pest control plant costs an annual $575 for a 2,000 sq. ft. home. But they first provide a free home inspection to establish the intensity of the infestation and create a customized plan before giving you an exact quote.

Conclusion

Though you may be concerned about how to get rid of gnats in your house or garden, there are many ways to do so, including natural home remedies, chemical solutions, or pest control companies.