How to Get Rid of Gnats in Your House (Fast and Easy)

There are few things on Earth more aggravating than gnats. While they don’t typically bite, these pests have a knack for finding the exact wrong place to be including your computer screens, water glass, and even your ears.

Even just one of these buggers is enough to frustrate you and turn your mood sour. And when they come in droves, it’s hard to stay upbeat. So, what do you do if you’ve got a bunch of them in your house?

Learning how to get rid of gnats in your house doesn’t have to be an arduous process. There are some fast and easy ways you can start employing immediately to start eliminating these pests.

Apple Cider Vinegar Trap

This first method is super easy to employ, and you’ve probably got everything you need already hanging around the house.

To get started, mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with a liter of water in a container large enough to contain the mixture. Once mixed, add a tablespoon or two of sugar and a few drops of dish soap. And after incorporating those, simply set your container near the problem area (or near the highest concentration of gnats).

The gnats will be drawn to the smell of the sweetened vinegar, and when they go in for a drink, they’ll get trapped in the solution. This happens because the dish soap will reduce the surface tension of the water, so it will no longer support the weight of the gnats as they land on the surface.

This method might not get every gnat, but it will make a sizeable dent in their population.

You can also use substitute stale wine for the apple cider vinegar and sugar if that’s more handily available. Either solution will work wonders for trapping and killing these annoying insects.

Candle Trap

One of the oldest tricks to getting rid of gnats is using a candle trap. These traps are extremely simple to make. You’ll need a candlestick, a tall candle, and a small pan of water.

Simply put the candle in the candlestick, then place the candlestick into the pan of water. Make sure that the pan isn’t too full as you don’t want to wet your candle. An inch or two of water should be more than sufficient.

After that, all you need to do is light the candle and turn off the lights. The gnats will be attracted to the flame and come in to explore. As they get singed by the fire, they’ll fall into the water pan and drown.

Just be careful when using this method. This can be a fire hazard, so it’s best to not leave the room while the candle is lit.

Overripe Fruit Trap

Old or overripe fruit is a very common cause for gnats, but it can also provide one of the best traps! The setup for this trap is very simple. You’ll need a mason jar (or another container), plastic wrap, and some overripe fruit.

Simply mash the fruit and put it into your container, cover it with plastic wrap, and poke some tiny holes in the plastic. And that’s it!

Gnats will be attracted to the smell of the fruit and will wiggle their way through the holes to get to it. However, gnats aren’t known for their brilliance. When it comes to flying back out of the trap, they won’t be able to make their way out of those holes leaving them trapped inside for easy disposal.

Bleach Solution for Drain-Hovering Gnats

Some gnats tend to hang out around your sink drains and tubs. These particular nuisances are known as drain flies, and they’re a bit more resilient than other gnats. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t easily get rid of them. All you’ll need is some bleach.

You’ll want to create a diluted mixture of bleach and water. Use ½ a cup of bleach per one gallon of water. After that, simply pour the water down the drain. The bleach mixture will kill any gnats and eggs it comes into contact with. If you still see a few gnats afterward, just repeat the process.

Be careful when handling bleach though. Use proper PPE such as protective gloves and a mask designed for fumes.

Homemade Gnat Spray

Not all gnat infestations are major, and you might just have a few flying around the house. If this is the case, you might want to consider creating an anti-gnat spray to keep handy. This will allow you to just blast them out of the air instead of setting up a trap.

This solution is very similar to that of the vinegar trap. Mix one cup of water, a tablespoon of vinegar, and a few drops of dish soap in a spray bottle. Next time you see a gnat buzzing around, just give them a little spritz and watch them fall out of the air.

The best part about this concoction is that it’s safe to use around children, pets, and indoor houseplants.

Flypaper

While this isn’t the most attractive or chemically friendly option, it is one of the most effective. Flypaper is a sticky glue pad that will catch and hold anything that lands on it.

These can come in two different varieties. Ribbon flypaper comes in tight rolls that hang suspended around your home. Window flypaper comes in large sheets that can cover entire windows or other larger surfaces.

If you’re looking to quickly eliminate the gnat population in your home, flypaper is one of the best methods to do so.

Chemical Bug Sprays and Foggers

We prefer these as a last resort option. But if you’ve got a serious gnat infestation, this may be your only solution. There are tons of different insecticides available; however, you want to be on the lookout for ones specifically targeted towards gnats.

Just be very cautious when using chemical agents in your home—especially if you have small children or pets. These compounds aren’t just hazardous to gnats. They can be very toxic to humans as well.

Ridding Your Home of Gnats

Removing gnats from your home may seem like a daunting task. However, it can be pretty simple. As annoying as they are, gnats are easily eliminated with simple techniques.

Aside from these methods, one of the best ways to get rid of gnats is to prevent them from coming in the first place. Take preventative measures such as properly disposing of old food, correctly storing fruits and vegetables, and keeping a clean house. Doing these won’t 100% guarantee a gnat-free home, but they can keep an occasional gnat sighting from developing into a full-blown infestation.

See Also: 

• How to Get Rid of Gnats in the Bathroom (4 Quick & Simple Ways)
• How to Get Rid of Gnats Outside (Fast & Easy)

Featured Image: Lyudmila Mikhailovskaya, Shutterstock