Gnats in house remedy


How to Get Rid of Gnats

Type keyword(s) to search

Every item on this page was chosen by The Pioneer Woman team. The site may earn a commission on some products.

Try one of these remedies!

By Audrey Morgan

Verdina AnnaGetty Images

Infestations start off so innocently: You leave one ripe banana out on your counter or you overwater your indoor plant, and a couple of tiny flies appear. The next thing you know, you have a full-fledged gnat problem on your hands. Thankfully, there are tried-and-tested ways for how to get rid of gnats—many of which require items you already have in your pantry.

Still, before you look for the best gnat killer, you'll want to make sure you're actually dealing with gnats, as they're often confused with fruit flies or drain flies. Fungus gnats are mosquito-like black insects with elongated bodies, while fruit flies are rounder and brown in color (find out how to get rid of fruit flies if that's the case!). Drain flies are fuzzy with large, moth-like wings. Either way, they're all a bit gross.

Still here? You might be wondering why you have a gnat problem in the first place. Gnats are attracted to moisture, so you're most likely to encounter them in the summer months—they often hang out in moist areas of your home like your kitchen drain or potted soil. That also means factors like food spills, unsealed garbage cans, or potted houseplants can all contribute to an infestation. Whatever's causing the issue, you'll want to get rid of these pesky insects ASAP. Read on for nine ways to banish gnats from your home, including foolproof products like fly paper and ingenious solutions like a candle flame trap. To prevent a gnat problem in the future, make sure to keep your food stowed away with the best food storage containers and spice jars!

1

Greenkeeper Sticky Traps

Amazon

$10 AT AMAZON

2

The Gnat Trap Jar

Etsy

$2 AT ETSY

3

Fly Paper

Amazon

$3 AT AMAZON

4

Apple Cider Vinegar Trap

Walmart

$7 AT WALMART

5

Red Wine Trap

LOVE_LIFEGetty Images

Don't worry, you don't have to sacrifice your favorite bottle. This trap works best with wine that's turned vinegary. Mix some vino with a couple drops of dish soap in a small bowl, and wait for the gnats to accumulate.

6

Diluted Bleach

Walmart

$6 AT WALMART

7

Candle Flame Trap

Amazon

Now 11% off

$16 AT AMAZON

8

Insect Control

Walmart

$13 AT AMAZON

9

Rotten Fruit

Claudia TotirGetty Images

It might sound counterintuitive, but you can lure gnats with the same thing that might've caused your problem. Add rotten fruit to a large bowl, cover with plastic wrap, secure with a rubber band, and poke small holes on the surface. Gnats will flock to the overripe fruit, but they won't be able to escape!

Audrey Morgan Audrey is the assistant editor at Food Network Magazine and The Pioneer Woman Magazine.

The Best Leaf Blowers for a Picturesque Lawn

26 Inspiring Ideas to Organize Your Pantry


Ree Just Gave Us a Look Into Her Pantry Refresh


15 Body Washes to Feel So Clean and Refreshed


These Carpet Cleaners Remove the Worst Pet Stains

How Often Should You Clean Your Air Fryer?



How to Deep Clean Your Grill Grates

How to Get Rid of Mice in Your Home


Here's How to Keep Your Electric Kettle Clean


How to Clean Your Dishwasher Top to Bottom


How to Get Rid of Gnats

If you've ever spilled sugary juice on the counter and didn't wipe it up right away, overwatered plants inside or outside, or waited a day too long to take out the trash, you know this feeling. One simple household mistake, and all of sudden your house seems to be covered up in bugs—tiny gnats, to be exact. Here are eight ways to help you get rid of gnats once and for all.

Before killing gnats, the first thing to do is make sure that they are, in fact, gnats. There are many different types of itty-bitty flying insects, and each requires a slightly different elimination tactic. You may actually find yourself needing to know how to get rid of fruit flies or how to get rid of drain flies instead. If you know what to look for, it's easy to distinguish between bugs. Fungus gnats look black and feature long legs while fruit flies are typically brown and rounder in shape. Drain flies have a fuzzier appearance and larger wings, and as the name suggests, they hang out around sink drains.

Once you’ve correctly identified what bug is, well, bugging you, you can start to take the necessary steps toward getting rid of gnats, flies, and any other bugs once and for all with vinegar solutions, store-bought remedies, and even rotten fruit (really!). For longer-term success, invest in one of the best bug zappers on the market.

1

one day shipping

Black Flag

Use fly paper.

Amazon

2

one day shipping

KATCHY Original Indoor Insect Trap

Try a bug zapper.

Now 11% off

$40 AT AMAZON

3

Bragg

Make a trap using apple cider vinegar.

Amazon

$9 AT AMAZON

4

Hot Shot

Buy a chemical spray.

Amazon

5

Pour boiling water down your drain.

Natasha Bes / EyeEmGetty Images

Kitchen sink drains are common spots where gnats lay eggs, especially in garbage disposals. They love the warm, moist environment and any food and bacteria build up that occurs there. Kill any eggs in your drain by pouring boiling water in the sink.

6

Use a wine trap.

Getty Images

Now, we're not asking you to sacrifice your wine collection to kill gnats! Instead, for this nifty trapping trick, you'll want to use an expired wine—one that's nearly turned into vinegar. You can use it in nearly the same way that you used the aforementioned apple cider vinegar trick: Pour some of the stale wine into a small vessel, add in a couple drops of dish soap, then place the mixture in gnat-filled areas of your home and wait for the bugs to drop in.

7

one day shipping

CANDWAX

Set a candle trap.

$11 AT AMAZON

8

Lure them with rotten fruit.

Getty Images

Yes, the very thing that caused the infestation in the first place might be your best bet when it comes to ending it. Add a few pieces of overripe fruit to a large bowl, then cover with plastic wrap and secure with a rubber band. Use a toothpick to poke a few holes in the top. Soon, gnats and fruit flies will flock to the fruit, making their way in through the tiny holes—but they won't know how to find their way out.

9

Clorox

Try a diluted bleach solution for drain flies.

Amazon

Amy Mitchell Amy Mitchell is the managing editor at Country Living Magazine.

Effective ways to kill mosquitoes in an apartment