How do I get rid of gnats indefinitely?

Author: Mrs. Albina Rath Sr.  |  Last update: Saturday, May 24, 2025

5 Ways to Get Rid of Gnats
  1. The Classic Apple Cider Vinegar Trap. Apple cider vinegar's sweet smell is appealing to gnats, so you can use it to make an easy trap—a literal thirst trap, if you will. ...
  2. Lure Them With Ripe Produce. ...
  3. Put Empty Wine Bottles to Good Use. ...
  4. Flush Drains with Bleach. ...
  5. When in Doubt, Use Sticky Traps.

Can you permanently get rid of gnats?

Eradicate your fungus gnat infestation for good with the following method: Put up a bunch of sticky traps, top-dress the soil with sand and do nematode soaks every 10 to 14 days until the problem is resolved. Also, stop overwatering your plants and eliminate any unnecessary sources of moisture. That's it.

Why do gnats keep coming back after I kill them?

Probably because you're not killing off enough of the larvae that live in the soil, so they just keep producing new adults.

What do gnats absolutely hate?

Peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, vanilla, and lavender essential oils all have scents that gnats dislike. Place a few drops of any of these essential oils on cotton balls and set around entryways to your home or areas where gnats are a problem.

Why do gnats not go away?

Inside the home, gnats can be attracted to unsealed produce, fresh flowers, houseplants, food spillage and open or overflowing garbage cans. Gnats may also live in sink drains where food residue can collect. Dirty kitchen sink drains can provide food, water, shelter and breeding sites to many fly species.

Best Gnat Killer How to get rid of gnats & fruit flies

How do I get rid of gnats when I can't find the source?

Fruit traps - Some homeowners use a jar of rotting fruit covered with perforated plastic wrap to lure and then trap gnats. Red Wine Traps Vinegar - Similar to a fruit trap, this option uses the gnats' attraction to these pungent liquids to trap them inside a jar.

How long does it take to get rid of a gnat infestation?

In cooler weather it can take 4 to 5 weeks or more to complete the life cycle, so winter treatment can take longer. That's why I always recommend treating for 2 months (8 weeks), but at least 4 weeks minimum if you've caught it early and only have a tiny infestation.

What smell drives gnats away?

To repel gnats, it's recommended to use products specifically designed for that purpose, such as those containing citronella or lemon eucalyptus oil.

Do dryer sheets keep gnats away?

Conclusions. Based on the results obtained from our study, it is evident that Bounce original brand fabric softener dryer sheets repel fungus gnats.

How long does it take to get rid of gnats with apple cider vinegar?

Wet and covered in vinegar, the gnats will be unable to crawl back up the sides, or to fly out, which means the pool will start collecting dead gnats in a big hurry. Just leave your trap near where the gnats show up most frequently, and wait a day or two. The problem should resolve itself in fairly short order.

How do I get rid of gnats in 10 minutes?

Homemade gnat killer spray: A mixture of half a cup of water, half a cup of isopropyl alcohol, and a teaspoon of dish liquid can be filled in a spray bottle. This mixture can be sprayed on the gnats directly to kill them.

How to find out where gnats are coming from?

Where do gnats come from? Gnats come to find a breeding ground and place to lay their eggs. They seek out moist places, decomposing organic matter and damp soil of houseplants, and can be found around your trash or recycling bin.

What is the best gnat trap?

Combine equal parts vinegar and soap and then add a few tablespoons of sugar – once you mix it all together you can place the bowl wherever the gnats have been gathering. They will be attracted to the sugar and vinegar and drown in the mixture. Traps can also be made out of red wine and dish soap, or rotting fruit.

What home remedy keeps gnats off you?

So what keeps gnats away?
  1. Vanilla extract: Dab it around the wrists , neck and head area; if you don't mind smelling like a freshly baked dessert, soak a rag with vanilla and rub it on. ...
  2. Buggins Natural Insect Repellent (a Deet-free spray): A four-ounce spray can cost up to $6.

What do gnats turn into?

In general, gnats go through the four life stages of egg, larva, pupa and adult, similar to other flies. The fungus gnats lay their eggs in moist organic debris or soil, which hatch into larvae. The larvae feed on organic matter such as leaf mold, mulch, compost, grass clippings, root hairs and fungi.

What is the best killer for drain gnats?

If you don't have vinegar at home, bleach will kill drain gnats, but it's a potent environmental pollutant, so you're better off running to the store for vinegar, which is actually more effective for cleaning your drain pipes.

What do gnats hate the most?

The only way to get rid of gnats without killing them is to repel them with scents they don't like: vinegar, vanilla, pine oil, peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, and lavender. Even dryer sheets could help. Of course, the first line of duty would be to get rid of the infestation's root cause.

Is there a repellent for gnats?

Citronella is a natural bug repellent that will help ward off more than just gnats.

What can I wear to repel gnats?

Insect Repellent Hats

Help keep mosquitoes, flies, and other biting bugs away from your face, head, and neck with Insect Shield Bug Repellent Hats. Our insect repellent packable hat, brim hat, sun hat, and caps also repel gnats and midges (no-see-ums).

How to get rid of gnat infestation?

Quick Fixes
  1. Drying Out Soil. Many infestations happen as a result of overwatering plants. ...
  2. Cider Traps. Gnats are drawn to apple cider vinegar, which makes it the perfect bait in this handy trap. ...
  3. Potato Slices. ...
  4. Chamomile Tea & Cinnamon.

Does pine sol deter gnats?

✌️ Did you know you can use baking soda and pine-sol to get rid of those pesky drain flies? #gnats #drainflies #hacks #cleaninghacks #cleantok #thingsishouldhavelearnedinschool.

Why doesn't bug spray work on gnats?

Active Ingredients: Most mosquito repellents are formulated specifically to deter mosquitoes and may not be effective against gnats. While some repellents might contain ingredients that could repel gnats, such as citronella or essential oils, these are not always potent enough to keep gnats away effectively.

How do exterminators get rid of gnats?

We can apply spot treatments to tackle the problem or install light traps to catch gnats. We are the local experts, and will make sure gnats and other flying pests stay out of your property.

What is the lifespan of a house gnat?

The adult has about a 10 day lifespan but during that period may lay in excess of 250-300 eggs. The life cycle begins with the egg hatching in five to six days into a larva. Larvae feed for 10 to 14 days and then change into pupae in the soil.

Why do gnats keep coming back?

Gnats, especially fungus gnats, are attracted to damp soil and that's where they lay their eggs. If you're overwatering your plants, these bugs will find their way there and start laying eggs. They can lay up to 800 eggs in one breeding cycle so this can become a major problem very quickly.

Previous article
Does mold remover actually work?
Next article
How cool should air be coming out of vents?