How to Get Rid of Gnats: Simple Solutions for a Gnat-Free Home in 2024

Gnats are tiny and fast insects often seen flying in groups. Gnats are responsible for spreading disease and causing annoyance. Therefore, driving them out of the house is important! Don’t know how to get rid of gnats from your home? Let’s discuss the types of gnats, where they are found and natural ways to kill them. 

What Are Gnats?

Gnats are tiny flying insects, around ⅛ inches long. They have long wings and legs and are found in different colours, such as tan, brown, or black. They are often seen flying in a group over a place or thing. They can be irritating as they often fly over food or faces. 

There is confusion about whether gnats bite or not. To answer this:

Male gnats: Male gnats are different from their female counterparts. They do not bite at all. Instead, they sip on sweet plant nectar, which is like a sugary drink that they enjoy and need for energy. 

Female gnats: Femal gnats do bite. They drink blood to grow their eggs, make them strong and healthy. Just like humans need food to grow, female gnats need blood to ensure their baby gnats can develop.

Common Types of Gnats

These tiny flying insects come in three types. Each of them likes to fly around different places. Let’s know about them in detail:

Fungus Gnats

This type is black in colour. They love houseplants and fly over moist soil. 

Fruit Gnats

These gnats, also known as fruit flies, are usually brown in colour and have red eyes. As the name suggests, they love to fly over overripe fruits. They are often found in kitchens. 

Drain Gnats

Drain gnats or flies have large wings and fuzzy bodies. Their favourite places are drains and sinks. They are found in the kitchen and bathrooms.

What are the Problems Caused by Gnats?

Having a gnat infestation can cause several issues. These are:

• There are some gnats who bite humans and animals. Gnats bites can cause redness, irritation, swelling and major allergic reactions. 
• All gnats cannot transmit diseases to humans, but some can. A few gnats carry viruses and parasites that cause illnesses like River Blindness and Leishmaniasis.
• Fruit gnats can contaminate food. They are attracted to rotting, ripened, and fermented organic matter and spread bacteria and microorganisms to food, making it unsafe and spoiling it. 
• They can damage your plants and soil. The gnat larvae live off the roots of the plants and on the soil’s organic matter, which can cause issues with your plant’s health and growth.

Why Gnats Are Considered Irritating?

There are several reasons why gnats cause irritation. These are:

• They constantly fly over your face, which can irritate you and make it hard to contrate.
• They often sit on food. This is not only dirty but also makes the food unsafe to eat.
• They lay many eggs at once, which hatch faster. Therefore, they can double fast.
• Gants are really hard to catch as they are tiny and fast. They can still come back at you even after getting rid of some.

How to Spot Gnat Problems?

Don’t know how to spot gnat infestation? Below are a few ways in which you can spot them:

Signs of a Gnat Infestation

To know whether your house has gnats or not, look for these signs:

• Whether flies are hovering around your face 
• Whether your house plants have any bugs 
• Whether there are flies near the trash bin or kitchen

If any of the above-mentioned signs take place, then your house might have a gnat problem.

Detect From Where the Gnat is Coming?

It is not enough to know that the house is suffering from the gnat problem. To get rid of these insects, understanding where they are coming from is important. Follow these steps to find the source of the gnat problem:

• Check if you have any ripe vegetables or fruit in the house
• Look at your houseplant’s soil
• Also, check all the drains and sinks of the house.

Distinguishing Gnats from other Flying Insects

Not all flies are gnats. Therefore, it is important to check if your house is suffering from a gnat or fly problem. The gnats are generally found near plants, riped fruits and drains. They are either black, brown or tan and fuzzy. Therefore, insects other than these are flying insects.

Simple Solutions to Solve the Problem of Gnats

There are several homemade solutions which can help you solve the issue of gnats. These are:  

1. Apple Cider 

An apple cider vinegar is a great way to kill gnats. To prepare this homemade remedy,

• In a cup of apple cider, add a spoonful of sugar 
• Then add a little dishwashing soap to it
• Mix it properly

Place the bowl of this mixture where you spot the gnats. After seeing the mixture, they will be attracted to it and trapped. This method is best for kitchens. 

2. Hydrogen Peroxide & Baking Soda Mixture

This solution is best for protecting your plants from this insect. Here’s how you make this solution:

• Take a cup of hydrogen peroxide 
• Add four cups of water
• A tablespoon of baking soda

Application and Results

After the mixture is made, pour it into your plant’s soil. This will kill their larvae and make your plant gnat-free and safe.

3. Dish Soap and Water Traps

This is one of the easiest tricks to trap gnats. Preparing this solution is very easy. You need a bowl and then add dishwashing soap and water to it. Use this solution to trap gnats near plants, trash bins,, and sinks. The soap in the solution will trap the gnat in the water. 

4. Essential Oils

Several essential oils can trap gnats while making your home smell fresh. The essential oils which help in killing gnats are:

• Lemongrass
• Lavender
• Peppermint 

Here’s how you can make the solution:

• Take a small amount of essential oil
• Add a little water to it
• Pour the solution into a bottle
• And spray it all around the house

5. Vinegar and Wine Traps

Vinegar helps in solving the problem of gnats. Another effective ingredient that helps keep gnats away is wine. Both old wine and apple cider vinegar can be used to treat gnats. For this method, pour the wine or vinegar into a bowl. Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap. Then, poke tiny holes in the wrap. This will trap the gnats inside. Place the bowl where there are gnats. 

Eliminating Gnats in Specific Areas

Different types of gnats are found in different areas of the house. Here are some effective ways by which you can treat the gnast from specific areas. 

How to Get Rid of Gnats in the Kitchen?

Gnats flying in the kitchen can be very unhygienic. Therefore, it is very important to drive them out of the kitchen. Here are some ways to do so.

1. Find the Food Source and Remove it from the Kitchen

The kitchen gnats love ripe fruits and scraps of food. Therefore, taking notes and throwing away all the old vegetables and fruits is important. All the food should be covered well and stored in sealed containers.

2. Proper Cleaning of the Kitchen

It is important to clean the kitchen counters regularly. Wiping the tables and counters regularly is important. In case of spills, clean them right away using disinfectants.

3. Using Traps and Repellents

It is important to use traps to solve the issue of gnats. Keep the vinegar trap near trash bins and sinks in the kitchen to catch the insects. Shower them with the essential oil spray to get rid of them.

How to Get Rid of Gnats in Plants Naturally?

Another place where the gnats are found is near the house plants. To keep the gnats away from plants follow these steps:

1. Proper Drainage to Keep The Soil Dry 

If the soil of the houseplant is wet, it will attract gnats. Therefore, keeping the soil dry is crucial. Keep track and let the plant soil dry between waterings. Use drainage hole pots to remove the extra water and dry out the soil. 

2. Spray Neem Oil in the Soil

Neem oil can be a great product for killing gnats. Another effective product is an insecticidal soap. Spraying them directly in the soil of the plant can kill gnats.

3. Repotting Infested Plants

If the soil is affected by gnats, repotting the plants can be helpful. Use fresh soil for repotting.

How Do You Get Rid of Gnats in the Bathroom?

Often, we see gnats in bathrooms. The main reason behind this is moisture and wet floors. Here are a few steps following which you can remove gnats from the washroom:

1. Addressing Moisture Issues

As discussed before, gnats love damp places. Because of this, they can infest bathrooms. Therefore, fixing leaks, using a fan to reduce moisture, and keeping the bathroom dry are very important. 

2. Cleaning Drains and Pipes

Most gnats live in drains. Regularly pour boiling water into the drain to kill them. 

How to Get Rid of Gnats Outside?

Gnats are also seen outdoors. To catch hold of them, follow these steps:

1. Removing Standing Water

These insects breed in still water. Therefore, it is important to empty birdbaths, buckets, or other containers with water. It is important to keep your garden clean.

2. Applying Insecticidal Sprays or Baits

To remove them from the garden, use insecticidal sprays on the plants. Also, setting baits can help in catching gnats outdoors. 

3. Encouraging natural predators

Spiders and birds eat gnats. Therefore, do not keep them out of your garden. Attract them to keep the gnats out. 

Chemical and Professional Treatments

Confused how to get rid of gnats fast? Homemade remedies are not strong enough to do the job? Here are two ways by which gnats can be dealt with if homemade remedies fail to work. 

Insecticide Sprays and Baits

If homemade solutions can’t help with the gnats problem, then using insecticide sprays might help. They are strong and effective solutions that kill gnats fast.

1. Selecting Appropriate Products

It is important to choose the best spray which targets gnat. Do not forget to read the label to understand if it is safe to use it indoors. Pick a product which considers gnats as its target pest.

2. Proper Application and Safety Precautions

It is suggested that some safety measures be followed before using these products. Always read the instructions written on the back of the product. Wear a mask and gloves before spraying the product. Make sure pets and children are not near the treated areas till it's dry. Use these products where the gnats usually gather, near the drain, sinks, trash bins, and so on.

Hiring a Professional Exterminator

Confused how to get rid of gnats in the house quickly?  Professional help can help. Experts have the experience and knowledge to remove gnats forever from your home.

1. Reasons to Consider Professional Help

If the gnat problem becomes stubborn, contacting professionals might help. They use stronger treatments, which we don’t know. They can use those methods safely and get rid of gnats at your home.

2. What to Expect From a Professional Treatment

An expert will inspect the home thoroughly and then use special traps to solve the problem of gnats. Their treatment can be fast and effective. They can also help you with tips to prevent gnats coming back.

Preventive Measures and Long-Term Control

It is important to stop the gnats from coming back than just getting rid of them momentarily. Here are some ways by which we can stop gnats from coming back:

• By keeping the home clean. Wipe the kitchen tables and counters every day. Also, by cleaning the spills at once gnats can be kept away. Throw the trash regularly and clean dirty places, as gnats love them.
• These insects like dampness, so fix all the leaks. Ensure the drains and sinks are dry and clean. A dehumidifier can help keep the air dry.
•  Store vegetables and fruits in the fridge and food in sealed containers. Throw away old and rotten food and use a sealed dustbin.
• Few insects and birds eat gnats, so don't stop them from coming into your garden. Attract the birds by putting up bird feeders; this will help solve gnat problems.

How Can NoBroker Help?

Gnats, though they look tiny, can be a big problem. Follow the tips on how to get rid of gnats to solve the problem effectively. If the homemade solutions do not seem effective, professionals might help. In that case, Nobroker Cleaning Services can help you! Our experts are knowledgeable & experienced and know everything about getting rid of gnats fast. Contact us today and make your home insect-free!

FAQs About How to get rid of gnats?

Q: How do you get rid of gnats with white vinegar?

Ans: To remove gnats from the house, you need to make a vinegar solution. In a bowl, mix a few drops of dishwashing soap with vinegar and mix well. Then, place the mixture where there are gnats to trap them.

Q: What are the reasons behind gnats in my house?

Ans: Gnats love moisture. It is because of this your house might be facing a gnat problem. 

Q: Is there any smell which gnats hate?

Ans: Yes, there are some essential oils, the smell of which gnats do not like. The smell of peppermint, lavender and lemongrass oils they don’t like and can be used to kill them. 

Q: Do gnats bite?

Ans: Female gnats do bite human beings, while their male counterpart does not.

Q: Do gnats spread diseases?

Ans: No, gnats do not spread diseases, but they can be annoying and fly over your face.

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