How To Get Rid Of Gnats in House – 8 Quick Tips

Do you ever notice those tiny bugs in your garden or home? Well, they are gnats! These tiny insects tend to rest on food items and houseplants and bother you when coming in front of your face. Though these pests are annoying, they are not harmful.Generally, the reasons for the gnat growth are spilled sweet juices, overwatered plants, or overflowing garbage cans. All these mistakes, and you see your home covered with these tiny pests. Struggling with such a situation, you need to know how to get rid of gnats rightly. Do not worry; this article covers every point.From gnat types and how to get rid of them to how to avoid a gnat infestation, we will discuss everything in detail. Read on!

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What Are Different Types of Gnats?

Different types of gnats include:

1. Fungus Gnats

These are generally small insects on overwatered houseplants inside or outside the house. Also, these pests favor moist soil with rotten plant residues. They deposit eggs, and the baby larvae eat the roots of the plants. The results of which are yellow leaves, wilting, and even death of the plants.

2. Drain Flies

These are also called sewer flies that mostly favor humid areas. Those spots can be sink pipes, drains, and trash disposals. Their larvae feed on the moisture and the rotten organic matter. On disturbance, these bugs move up in the air while using the sink.

3. Fruit Flies

These pests usually feed on rotten or ripe vegetables and fruits. They lay the eggs on these food items, which leads to fast rotting. In addition, they can infect any space they come to rest on.

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How To Identify The Types Of Gnats?

Different gnats have particular appearances. Recognizing these bugs in any area of your house will help you get rid of them quickly using effective strategies. Here is the specific look of each type of gnat:

1. Fungus Gnats- Dark black body and long legs

2. Drain Flies- Fuzzy look and more enormous wings

3. Fruit Flies- Brown body and round look

How To Get Rid Of Gnats?

Gnats quickly grow in large numbers inside or outside your house or your plants. So, you need to use the proper methods to eradicate them. Trying natural approaches first can be better than opting for insecticides or pesticides.

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How To Get Rid Of Gnats In House?

These are the effective methods you need to know how to get rid of gnats inside the house. Have a look!

1. Build A Gnat Trap: Try this home remedy! Mix a few drops of dishwashing soap, apple cider vinegar, and some sugar in a small bowl. Put the bowl near the area affected by gnats. This sweet solution will attract these tiny bugs to get trapped. Frequently, replace the solution till they are partially finished.
2. Make Use Of Flypaper:: Hang a sticky flypaper in those areas where it is needed to catch the gnats. This equipment can help attract, see, and kill these bugs. Remember that when the flypaper is full of trapped insects, change it.
3. Place A Fruit Trap: Put a rotten banana or apple in the bowl and cover it with a plastic wrap. Then, make a few holes in it. This will help the gnats get trapped inside the wrap so you can throw them away.
4. Clean Your Drains: Running boiled or bleached water down the kitchen drains can help in getting rid of the gnats. You can also use the drain cleansing products formulated for pest control. Just follow the directions marked on the packaging. These approaches will help clean off the accumulated food or bacteria that attract the gnats.
5. Try Bug Zapper: A bug zapper is the most helpful method for getting rid of gnats quickly and conveniently. These collective devices attract and kill those tiny bugs coming in contact with electric shocks. The dead insects then get collected in the bottom portion of the device. So, try the indoor-safe bug zapper on your kitchen counter or near your houseplants to entice gnats.
6. Utilize Leftover Wine: Pour leftover wine into a container, mix some dish soap, and put it near the heavily affected areas. Gnats will crawl toward the solution, fall in, and would not escape.
7. Use Chemical Sprays: If the gnat infestation is excessive, chemical sprays are the best option. Use them carefully in gnats-heavy areas by following the directions. If you have pets and kids at home, take these products out of their reach.

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How To Get Rid Of Gnats On Plants?

Here are the best ways to get rid of gnats outside the house:

1. Place Yellow Sticky Cards: Well, how to get rid of plant gnats is easy with yellow sticky cards. These tiny insects quickly draw towards the bright color. So, place the cards layered with gummy adhesive in the affected area. You can stick them to twigs of the plant or put them on the soil. The bright yellow color will easily catch and trap them. Once they are entirely trapped, throw them outside the garbage bin.
2. Avoid Overwatering Plants: Some high-maintenance house plants require water in massive amounts. Overwatering can create a moisture-rich place for the gnats to grow efficiently and quickly. So, having low-maintenance plants that need water can be the better alternative. This will reduce the thriving of these tiny insects and protect your favorite plants.
3. Use Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis): Cleaning products with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) can be utilized to get rid of fungus gnat larvae. Bti is a bacterium that naturally emerges in the soil and controls the larval stage of gnats. So, use Bti-containing products by following the directions. This will help target these pests without harming your plants.
4. Sprinkle Food-Grade Product: Diatomaceous Earth(DE) is a food-grade product you can spread over the dry potting soil. This effective powder will trap and kill gnat larvae immediately. Do not sprinkle it over the wet soil; it will not show the desired effects. To ensure the DE remains dry, set a small amount of sand on the top layer of the soil and then use it.
5. Let Soil Dry Out: It can be challenging, but skipping watering the plants can also help get rid of gnats. So, allow the soil to dry out on its own, preventing the build-up of a moist breeding ground for the bugs. As a result, this will reduce the growth of fungus gnats on the plant roots.
6. Discard Decaying Residues: Clean off all the decaying residues like rotten leaves and dead flowers from the plants and soil. These main elements entice the gnats to thrive and damage the plants.

How To Get Rid Of Gnat Infestation?

Sometimes, even after using these effective methods, gnats keep coming back. With prevention practices, you can reduce the risk of gnat infestation. Follow these easy and quick tips:

1. Clear off all drinks and food spills: Never open drinks or food items. Just clean them up straight. If any spills occur, wipe it out instantly.
2. Put your trash in sealed garbage cans every night: Usually, gnats are drawn toward the rotten food or trash in the garbage cans. So, use a well-sealed bin and regularly empty it. These tiny bugs will be less likely to make their breeding places in the trash.
3. Keep your kitchen drains clean: Regularly maintain your kitchen drains with special cleaners or diluted bleach. This will keep them free from fungus and slime. You can also opt for eco-friendly drain cleaning products that target drain flies, fruit flies, and fungus gnats.
4. Keep your fruits and vegetables in your refrigerator: As gnats easily get tempted by the smell of the vegetables and fruits, leaving them open in your kitchen counters can increase exposure. So, store them well in your refrigerator, which will prevent a quick ripening process.
5. Maintain low humidity inside and outside your house: If there are any sink drain stoppages or plumbing leaks, repair them immediately. Also, clean all the moist areas around the birdbaths and rain gutters to get rid of gnats outside.
6. Do not overwater the houseplants: Indoor houseplants are more prone to gnats infestation, and overwatering leads to moist soil. It makes a considerable breeding site for them to grow in large numbers. So, if you ever notice the folks of gnats near the plants, cut down the watering time and make sure the pots have a drainage hole.
7. Have proper garden maintenance: Regularly maintaining your garden is a must. A clean, odorless, and trash-free place prevents the gnat infestation.
8. Keep outdoor drains, garbage cans, and water collection spots clean and dry: Use the drain cover to keep the outdoor drains and garbage bins dry and clean. This will prevent moisture collection during winter, thus preventing gnats infestation. Also, regularly clean your home’s water collection spots, which will cut down breeding grounds for those tiny insects.

When To Seek Help From A Professional Pest Control Company?

If all the listed natural methods and commercial products are ineffective and the gnats infestation is severe, it’s high time to seek professional help. Call a licensed pest control company where a team can assist you in customizing the efficient solution per your needs. Using the appropriate strategies, they will ensure all the gnats are entirely gone and would not be able to thrive back.

Summing Up

Struggling with gnats infestation may seem endless but it is not! You can tackle the issue by identifying the gnats types and understanding how to get rid of gnats in the house or on plants.Maintaining low humidity, avoiding overwatering of houseplants, cleaning drains, clearing food spills, and keeping trash in sealed garbage cans can help get rid of gnats. If all these practices fail, reaching a well-known pest control team is better. By providing a customized solution, professionals aid in killing the gnats and ensure those tiny insects would not come back.

Frequently Asked Questions