Gnats buzzing around your home can drive anyone crazy. These tiny flying bugs seem to appear out of nowhere and multiply fast. The good news is that removing gnats in your house doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. With the right approach, you can get rid of these pesky insects and keep them from coming back.
Most people deal with three main types of gnats in their house: fruit flies, fungus gnats, and drain flies. Fruit flies love overripe fruit and sugary spills. Fungus gnats hang around houseplants with wet soil. Drain flies live in kitchen and bathroom drains. No matter which type you’re dealing with, the methods below will help you win the battle against these annoying pests.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Trap Method
The apple cider vinegar trap is one of the best ways to start removing gnats in your house. This simple method works because gnats can’t resist the sweet smell of fermented fruit.
Here’s how to make this effective trap. Pour about half a cup of apple cider vinegar into a bowl or jar. Add 2 to 3 drops of liquid dish soap and give it a gentle stir. The soap breaks the surface tension, so gnats will sink instead of floating on top.
Cover the container tightly with plastic wrap and secure it with a rubber band. Use a toothpick to poke 5 to 8 small holes in the plastic. The holes should be big enough for gnats to crawl through but small enough to trap them inside.
Place these traps near areas where you see the most gnat activity. Good spots include near fruit bowls, houseplants, and kitchen sinks. Check your traps daily and replace the mixture every few days when it starts looking cloudy or stops catching gnats.
This method works especially well for fruit flies and can catch dozens of gnats within the first day. You might be surprised by how many little bugs end up in your trap!
2. Get Rid of Moisture and Breeding Sources
Removing gnats in your house starts with taking away the places where they breed and feed. Gnats need moisture and organic matter to survive, so cutting off these sources is crucial for long term success.
Start by checking your fruit and vegetables. Throw away anything that’s overripe, soft, or starting to rot. Store fresh fruit in the refrigerator instead of leaving it on the counter. If you want to keep some fruit out for easy snacking, put it in a covered container or under a glass dome.
Next, look for moisture problems around your home. Fix any dripping faucets, leaky pipes, or areas where water pools. Use exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchens to reduce humidity. You can also run a dehumidifier in damp areas like basements.
Check your houseplants too. Many people water their plants too often, creating perfect breeding conditions for fungus gnats. Let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings. Make sure pots have drainage holes so excess water can escape.
Don’t forget about your garbage cans. Empty them regularly and clean them with soap and water. Keep lids on tight and consider using trash cans with good sealing mechanisms.
3. Essential Oil Spray That Keeps Gnats Away
Essential oils provide a natural way to repel gnats without using harsh chemicals. Gnats hate the strong scents of certain oils, making this method perfect for families with kids or pets.
The most effective oils for removing gnats in your house include peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, lemongrass, and citronella. You can use just one oil or mix several together for extra strength.
To make your spray, add 10 to 15 drops of essential oil to a spray bottle filled with one cup of water. Add a tiny squirt of dish soap to help the oil mix with the water. Shake the bottle well before each use since oil and water naturally separate.
Spray this mixture around windowsills, doorframes, and other places where gnats might enter your home. You can also spray it directly on plant soil and around the kitchen sink. The smell might seem strong at first, but it fades quickly for humans while continuing to bother gnats.
Reapply the spray every few days or after cleaning areas where you’ve used it. Essential oils lose their strength over time, especially when exposed to light and air.
4. Diatomaceous Earth for Plant Soil
Diatomaceous earth, or DE, is a natural powder that works great for killing gnat larvae in houseplant soil. This fine powder is made from tiny fossilized sea creatures and is completely safe for people and pets when you buy the food grade version.
The sharp microscopic edges of DE cut into soft gnat larvae, causing them to dry out and die. It only works when the powder stays dry, so timing is important when using this method.
First, let the top layer of your plant soil dry completely. Then sprinkle a thin layer of food grade diatomaceous earth over the entire soil surface. Make sure to cover all the soil, paying special attention to areas near the pot edges where gnats like to lay eggs.
For the next few weeks, water your plants from the bottom instead of the top. Put the pot in a tray of water and let the plant soak up what it needs through the drainage holes. This keeps the DE dry and effective while still giving your plants the water they need.
Always wear a dust mask when handling DE since breathing the fine powder can irritate your lungs. Keep pets away from freshly applied DE until you water the plants and the powder settles into the soil.
Results usually show up within a week, with fewer adult gnats flying around your plants. Continue this treatment for about a month to break the full lifecycle of the gnats.
5. Cinnamon Powder Stops Gnat Problems
Ground cinnamon works as both a natural fungicide and insect repellent, making it perfect for removing gnats in your house. This common kitchen spice disrupts the gnat lifecycle by killing the fungus that gnat larvae eat and by making the soil less appealing for egg laying.
Simply sprinkle a generous layer of ground cinnamon over the soil of affected houseplants. Make sure to cover the entire surface, especially around the edges where the soil meets the pot. The cinnamon creates a barrier that adult gnats don’t want to cross.
Cinnamon works by eliminating the decaying organic matter and fungus that gnats feed on. Without their food source, gnat larvae can’t survive to become adults. The strong smell also confuses adult gnats and makes them look elsewhere for places to lay eggs.
Apply fresh cinnamon once a week or after watering your plants heavily. Regular watering can wash away the cinnamon, so you’ll need to reapply it to maintain effectiveness. The good news is that cinnamon also has antifungal properties that can actually benefit your plants’ health.
This method works best when combined with proper watering techniques. Let soil dry between waterings and avoid overwatering, which creates the damp conditions gnats love.
6. Hydrogen Peroxide Kills Gnat Eggs
Hydrogen peroxide provides a powerful way to kill gnat eggs and larvae hiding in plant soil. This common household item breaks down into water and oxygen, making it safe for plants when used correctly.
Mix one part 3% hydrogen peroxide with four parts water in a measuring cup or bowl. For example, use one cup of hydrogen peroxide with four cups of water. This creates a solution that’s strong enough to kill gnats but gentle enough for most plants.
Wait until the top layer of your plant soil feels dry to the touch. Then slowly pour the hydrogen peroxide mixture over the soil until it’s thoroughly soaked. You might see some bubbling or fizzing, which is normal and shows the peroxide is working.
The peroxide kills gnat eggs and larvae on contact while also adding oxygen to the soil. This extra oxygen can actually help plant roots grow better, giving you two benefits from one treatment.
Use this treatment once a week for about a month to completely break the gnat lifecycle. Some people worry about hurting their plants, but the diluted mixture is safe for most houseplants. However, you might want to test it on one plant first if you have particularly sensitive varieties.
After treatment, continue with normal plant care but be careful not to overwater. The goal is to keep soil moist but not soggy, which prevents new gnat problems from starting.
7. Yellow Sticky Traps Catch Flying Gnats
Yellow sticky traps provide an easy way to catch adult gnats that are already flying around your home. These bright yellow cards are covered with a strong adhesive that traps gnats when they land on the surface.
Gnats are naturally attracted to the color yellow, thinking it might be a flower or other food source. Once they land on the sticky surface, they can’t escape. This method works especially well for fungus gnats around houseplants.
Place the traps near problem areas like plant pots, fruit bowls, and kitchen sinks. For houseplants, you can cut larger traps into smaller pieces and stick them into the soil on wooden skewers or toothpicks. This puts the traps right where gnats are most active.
Check your traps every few days and replace them when they get covered with bugs or lose their stickiness. Most traps last about a week in average conditions, though you might need to change them more often in areas with heavy gnat activity.
Yellow sticky traps work best as part of a complete plan for removing gnats in your house. They catch the adults but don’t stop new gnats from hatching, so combine them with other methods that target eggs and larvae.
You can buy these traps at most garden centers and online retailers. They’re inexpensive and come in various sizes to fit different spaces in your home.
8. Clean Drains to Stop Drain Flies
Drain flies breed in the gunk that builds up inside kitchen and bathroom drains. Regular drain cleaning is essential for removing gnats in your house, especially the fuzzy, moth like drain flies that hover around sinks.
Start with the simplest method by pouring a large pot of boiling water down each drain once a week. The hot water melts grease and washes away organic buildup where drain flies like to lay their eggs.
For tougher problems, try the baking soda and vinegar method. Pour half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of white vinegar. Cover the drain with a plug or wet cloth and let it sit for 30 minutes. The mixture will foam and bubble, breaking down gunk inside the pipes. Finish by flushing with hot water.
In severe cases, you might need a diluted bleach solution. Mix one part bleach with ten parts water and carefully pour it down the drain. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight, then flush with plenty of water. Always wear gloves and ensure good ventilation when using bleach.
Clean your garbage disposal regularly too. Run it with plenty of cold water and consider grinding ice cubes and citrus peels to clean the blades and freshen the smell.
Keep drains covered when not in use to prevent gnats from flying out and laying more eggs. Simple mesh covers work well and still allow water to flow freely.
9. Mosquito Bits for Serious Gnat Problems
Mosquito bits contain a natural bacteria called Bacillus thuringiensis that specifically targets gnat larvae. This biological control method is safe for people, pets, and plants while being deadly effective against young gnats.
To use mosquito bits for removing gnats in your house, you need to make a special tea. Put about two tablespoons of mosquito bits in a gallon of water and let it soak for at least 30 minutes. Some people prefer to soak them for several hours to make the solution stronger.
Strain out the bits using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, or you can wrap the bits in cheesecloth like a tea bag from the start. The resulting liquid contains the bacteria that will kill gnat larvae when applied to soil.
Use this mosquito bit tea to water your houseplants just like regular water. The bacteria in the solution attacks gnat larvae in the soil, stopping them from developing into adult flies. It won’t hurt your plants or beneficial soil organisms.
Apply the treatment every time you water for about three weeks. This ensures you catch all the gnats at different stages of their lifecycle. You should start seeing fewer adult gnats within a week as the larvae population drops.
Mosquito bits are available at most garden centers and online. They’re specifically designed for this type of pest control and work much better than general purpose insecticides for gnat problems.
10. Call Professional Pest Control Services
Sometimes gnats in your house become such a big problem that you need professional help. If you’ve tried multiple methods without success, or if the infestation keeps coming back, it might be time to call in experts who specialize in removing gnats in your house.
Professional pest control technicians have access to stronger treatments and specialized equipment that aren’t available to regular homeowners. They can also identify breeding sources that you might have missed and treat areas that are difficult to reach.
Before the technician arrives, document where you see the most gnat activity and what methods you’ve already tried. This information helps them choose the most effective treatment plan for your specific situation. They might use professional grade sprays, specialized traps, or targeted treatments for breeding areas.
Most pest control companies can treat gnat problems in a single visit, though severe infestations might need follow up treatments. The cost varies depending on your location and the size of your home, but many companies provide free estimates.
Professional treatment works especially well for drain flies that are breeding deep in plumbing systems where home remedies can’t reach. Technicians have tools to clean and treat pipes that regular homeowners don’t have access to.
After professional treatment, follow their prevention recommendations to keep gnats from returning. This usually includes the same moisture control and sanitation practices mentioned in earlier methods.
Keeping Gnats Away for Good
Successfully removing gnats in your house requires consistency and patience. Most methods take at least a week to show full results since you need to break the complete lifecycle of the gnats. Eggs that are already laid will still hatch, so don’t give up if you keep seeing some gnats for the first few days.
The best approach combines several methods at once. Use apple cider vinegar traps to catch adults while treating soil with cinnamon or diatomaceous earth to stop larvae. Keep up with drain cleaning and moisture control to prevent new infestations from starting.
Remember that prevention is easier than elimination. Store fruit properly, avoid overwatering plants, and keep drains clean to stop gnat problems before they start. With the right combination of treatments and good habits, you can enjoy a gnat free home all year round.
