How to get gnats to stop following you?

Author: Jean Buckridge  |  Last update: Wednesday, October 8, 2025

Repelling Gnats Naturally
  1. Dab a bit of oil over your skin so the gnats don't fly toward you. ...
  2. Try using an essential oil bug spray to keep the gnats at bay. ...
  3. Apply a bit of vanilla extract to your face to keep them away. ...
  4. Sprinkle herbs or spices around your area to deter the gnats.

How do you stop gnats from flying around you?

Insect Repellent: Use a good-quality insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Apply it to your face and exposed skin, avoiding the eyes and mouth. Wear Light-Colored Clothing: Gnats are attracted to dark colors, so wearing light-colored clothing can help reduce their attraction.

Why am I being followed by gnats?

Body Heat: Gnats are drawn to warmth, so the heat emitted from our bodies can lure them in. Sweat and Skin Oils: The moisture and chemicals found in sweat, as well as natural oils on our skin, can be enticing to gnats. Movement: The movement of people can catch the attention of gnats, prompting them to fly closer.

What to use to keep gnats off your skin?

a) Citronella Oil is one of the best natural gnat repellents. Derived from the citronella plant, Cymbopogon nardus, its strong lemon scent deters gnats and other insects. You can apply citronella essential oil directly to your skin, diluted in a carrier oil like jojoba oil or almond oil.

How do you repel gnats from biting you?

Cover Up - Wearing Long Sleeves, Head Nets and Long Pants to reduce bodily exposure to biting gnats is helpful. Repellents - Using insect repellents approved for biting gnat prevention is only marginally effective and usually is nowhere near as successful as when used to repel mosquitoes.

The ONLY Way To 100% Kill Fungus Gnats

What smell do gnats hate?

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.

Why do gnats bite me and not others?

In addition, gnats may also be attracted to certain scents, such as perfumes or lotions, which can increase the likelihood of being bitten. Other factors that can make individuals more susceptible to gnat bites include sweat, body odor, and certain blood types. Not all species of gnats bite humans or animals.

What can I spray on myself to repel gnats?

Homemade gnat repellent spray: A mixture of dish soap, water, baking soda, and vinegar can be filled into a spray bottle. The mixture should contain a few drops of dish soap, a tablespoon of vinegar, and baking soda per cup of water. A few sprays of this mixture is an effective gnat repellent.

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.

What makes gnats go away fast?

They also are attracted to unsealed produce, flowers, and house plants. How do I get rid of gnats quickly? The quickest solution to getting rid of gnats is to clean your space and remove any trash or unsealed food. Wipe down counters, clean drains, and make sure there is no standing water in your sink.

Why are gnats swarming me?

Gnats are primarily attracted to sweet and fruity scents, but many species of gnats are also drawn to water and body heat. Perspiration and even the moisture of your eyes and nose can draw in gnats. Fruits, vegetables and flowers growing in your garden or food residue in your sink can attract these pests.

How to get rid of gnats flying around your face?

Use an insect repellant on the clothing you wear and on your skin and in your hair. Many lotions contain insect repellant that will keep gnats away. Use a nontoxic spray in and under your hair and around your neck. Use insect repellants only as directed for safety.

How to figure out where gnats are coming 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.

Does pine sol keep gnats away?

✌️ 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.

Will a fan keep gnats away?

Not only will fans keep the flies, bees, mosquitoes, and gnats off of you, fans will also do a great job of keeping them off of your cookout meals as well. A ceiling fan may not get rid of them 100%, but even a 75% reduction of the pests is a major improvement.

What do gnats hate the most?

Repel them with Scent.

Try Lighting citronella candles using lemon or vanilla sprays. While gnats are a fan of sweet-smelling fruit, they can't seem to stand vanilla, lemon, or even lavender. A little spritz can at least keep them at bay.

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 do you scare away gnats?

Using these scents can help keep them away. First, gnats hate the smell of vinegar. You can use apple cider vinegar to your advantage. Put some in a small dish and add a few drops of dish soap.

What scent gets rid of gnats?

Citronella is a natural bug repellent and will help to ward off more than just gnats. If you don't have or don't want to buy a tiki torch, try using lavender or lemon-scented candle. It could be just enough to keep gnats from interrupting your outdoor gathering. Gnats are the worst!

What makes gnats worse?

Additionally, houseplants can harbor gnats, particularly fungus gnats, which lay their eggs in moist soil. The larvae then feed on organic matter in the soil, potentially harming plants and causing an infestation. Overwatering plants only makes this situation worse.

What color do gnats hate?

Bugs are naturally attracted to bright colors like white, yellow or orange. Colors like green and blue won't register as vividly when seen in the UV spectrum, deterring bugs away from these colored objects.

Why do gnats follow you everywhere?

Breath, Sweat & Tears

A gnat is always searching for moisture and salt, which are found in sweat and tears. Unfortunately, the pests are vectors for pink eye. They are also drawn to the smell of bad breath and to the carbon dioxide people expel when exhaling.

What can I take to stop gnats biting me?

To avoid gnat bites, apply a DEET-based insect repellent before going outside. Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants when going hiking, especially near streams and rivers. Gnats can't bite through clothing, so you can only get bitten on exposed skin.

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.

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