How to Get Rid of Gnats Fast: Simple Home Remedies

How to Get Rid of Gnats

Gnats are tiny flies that can be very annoying in your home. They swarm throughout your kitchen, among the plants, near the sinks, or around the trash. But don’t worry — you can get rid of them and keep them away. Learn how to get rid of gnats​ indoors and outdoors. Easy traps, natural remedies, and prevention tips to keep your home pest-free. This article will teach you how.

What are gnats?

• Gnats are small, flying insects.
• There are different types of gnats:
  1. Fruit flies—they like overripe fruit and food.
  2. Drain flies—they live near drains, sinks, and garbage disposals.
  3. Fungus gnats — they live in the damp soil of houseplants and feed on fungi or decaying matter. NC State Extension + 2 HGTV + 2
• They are harmless most of the time, but they are a nuisance. Fungus gnats, especially, can harm plant roots. UMass Amherst +2 Botany World +2

Life Cycle of Fungus Gnats (and Other Gnats)

Understanding the life cycle helps to stop them with greater success. UMass Amherst +1

Stage: What Happens Time (Approx.)

Life Cycle of Fungus Gnats

• Eggs: The female lays many eggs in damp soil or organic matter. They hatch in 4 to 6 days. (NC State Extension)
• Larvae: Larvae feed on fungi, decaying matter, and sometimes plant roots. This stage lasts 12–14 days. (UMass Amherst)
• Pupae: They form pupae in the soil for 5 to 6 days. (UMass Amherst)
• Adults: Tiny flies that can lay more eggs. They live for up to about ten days. (NC State Extension)

From egg to adult, the cycle takes about 3-4 weeks, depending on temperature. Warmer places = faster cycle. UMass Amherst +1

Why do gnats appear?

You need to know why so you can stop them. Some things that attract gnats:

• Moist or damp soil or organic material. Fungus gnats love wet soil. Overwatering plants helps them. myhomepros.com + 2 UMass Amherst + 2
• Rotting or overripe fruit, food scraps left out. Good Housekeeping +2, Business Insider +2
• Dirty drains, pipes, sink traps, and garbage disposals with gunk. Drain flies thrive there. Business Insider+1
• Standing water or moisture around the home. Leaks, wet towels, etc. Good Housekeeping +1

How to Make Gnats Go Away (DIY Methods)

Here are simple things you can do right now to get rid of gnats.

1. Vinegar Trap

• Take a small bowl.
• Put some apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar). Add a bit of sugar and a few drops of dish soap. The soap disrupts the surface tension, preventing gnats from flying out. Homes and Gardens +2 Tom’s Guide +2
• Cover with plastic wrap and poke a few holes (if you want).
• Place it near where you see many gnats.

2. Fruit Trap

• Put some overripe or rotten fruit in a jar.
• Cover with plastic wrap; poke holes. Gnats will enter but will struggle to escape. Tom’s Guide+1

3. Sticky Traps or Yellow Cards

• Bright colors, especially yellow, attract gnats.
• You can buy yellow sticky cards. Or use yellow paper with glue.
• Place near plants, sink, fruit bowl, and windows. They will land and get stuck. Tom’s Guide + 2 Homes and Gardens + 2

4. Clean your drains.

• Pour boiling water down the drain at regular intervals.
• Use diluted bleach or a safe drain cleaning product. Tom’s Guide +2 Business Insider +2
• Remove buildup and gunk. Clean the drain traps.

5. Don’t overwater houseplants.

• Let topsoil dry before watering again. Fungus gnats lay eggs in moist soil. myhomepros.com + 2 Good Housekeeping + 2
• Use soil that drains well.

6. Use essential oils or natural sprays.

• Some smells repel gnats, including peppermint, tea tree, lavender, and citronella. Combine it with water and gently spray on plants or surfaces.
• You can use neem oil for soil to kill larvae.

7. Use fans/air movement.

• Small fans can help because gnats are weak fliers. If air moves, they can’t hover well. Business Insider+1

Stronger Methods (When DIY Is Not Enough)

If gnats keep coming back, you may need stronger measures.

• Use an insect spray that is safe for indoor use. Be careful with pets and plants.
• Use biological controls, such as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), for larvae in soil. (Often in “mosquito bites,” etc.).
• Use a professional pest control service if the infestation is large or persistent.

How to Make Gnats Stay Away (Prevention)

Prevention is very important. If you stop them from breeding, you won’t have to fight them every few weeks.

1. Keep things dry.
   • Fix leaks in pipes and faucets.
   • Avoid letting water stand (in plant saucers, containers).
   • Use a dehumidifier if your home is very humid. Good Housekeeping
2. Clean up food and trash.
   • Cover or refrigerate the fruit.
   • Take out the garbage daily, especially food waste.
   • Clean food crumbs or spills immediately.
3. Clean drains often.
   • Use drain cleaners weekly or boiling water.
   • Keep drains free from buildup.
4. Take care of houseplants.
   • Don’t overwater.
   • Use good soil.
   • Clean off decayed leaves.
   • Use clean pots.
5. Seal entry points and reduce light attraction.
   • Ensure that you close cracks and windows with complete security.
   • Use yellow/orange lights outside (they attract fewer insects). Good Housekeeping +1

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using only traps and ignoring the moist places where gnats breed.
• Overwatering plants.
• Leaving food out or letting garbage pile up.
• Improper use of harsh chemicals may harm pets, people, and plants.
• Not cleaning drains or sinks because even a small bit of gunk can let gnats breed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: How long do gnats live? A: Adult fungus gnats live about 7-10 days. The whole life cycle from egg to adult is about 3-4 weeks, depending on temperature. UMass Amherst + 2 NC State Extension + 2

Q: Can gnats hurt me or my pets? A: Usually, no. They don’t bite (most of them) and aren’t dangerous. But fungus gnats can harm plant roots and spread fungi. UMass Amherst

Q: What is the fastest way to get rid of gnats now? A: Use vinegar traps and sticky yellow cards in infested areas. Clean drains and remove food waste, too. Doing all of these together works faster.

Q: Is using bleach safe? Use diluted bleach with gloves to avoid skin irritation. Ensure that someone ventilates the area. It helps in drains, but you should not mix it with other cleaners.

Conclusion

Gnats are small, but they can bug you! The good news is that you can beat them. Here’s a quick plan to follow:

1. Find out which kind of gnats you have (fruit, drain, fungus).
2. Clean up what attracts them: moist soil, rotten fruit, and dirty drains.
3. Set traps (vinegar, fruit, sticky cards).
4. Keep your plants healthy, but not too wet.
5. To prevent future infestations, clean often. Keep things dry, fix leaks, and do regular checks.

Follow these steps and focus on the details to create a home that has minimal gnat presence. Good luck!