In this article, we will discuss the top remedies to get rid of gnats fast and naturally. Gnats are quite different from flies as they are long-legged and small insects. They are usually considered as weak fliers. Fruit fly and gnats both are small fly species that have many similar habits such as eating decomposition of animal carcases and it is not easy to tell them apart. Most of the time people consider the two species’ as a single one, in error. Despite many similarities, they are quite different from each other. Although gnats are smaller than fruit flies and we usually consider them baby. But the thing is these little insects are not babies as we usually think and overlook them. You can also call them by some other names such as fungus gnats or ‘fruit flies’, midges, and black flies.
There are numerous species of gnats and they can either be biting or non-biting depending upon the species. They can even feed on human blood and other insects or plants. To get rid of gnat’s infestation you will need to have some information on some gnat removal techniques. The most commonly found gnats that you are likely to see your home are fruit flies, fungus gnats, and phorid flies.
Top Home Remedies to Get Rid of Gnats Fast:
1.) Natural Trap to Get Rid of Gants Fast
There are few some excellent ingredients that can be used to make a homemade trap for fruits flies, milk, sugar, and pepper is one of them. The fruit flies or gnats will be definitely get attracted to the mixture and drown in it. Take a saucepan and combine two cups of milk, four tablespoons of ground pepper and five tablespoons of raw sugar. Simmer the whole solution on low heat for ten minutes. Now, pour the mixture into a shallow dish and place it where you notice the most flies. When the dish is filled with flies, dump out the contents and wash it properly. Repeat the process as needed.
2.) Apple Cider Vinegar Trap to Get Rid of Gnats
Apple cider vinegar is one of the most popular and effective home remedies to get rid of gnats and fruit flies. Gnats are attracted to its smell and easily get trapped in it. Pour one cup of apple cider vinegar into a Mason jar or similar container. You can also heat the ACV (apple cider vinegar) to magnify its smell and then use it. Adding few drops of liquid dish soap in the solution will be beneficial for you. It will help kill the flies easily. Now, cover the mouth of the jar with any plastic wrap.
Make several small holes in the plastic with a toothpick to allow flies to enter the jar. The placement of jar is important so you should only place it where the gnats or fruit flies are swarming. You will notice dead flies in the jar after sometimes, dump the contents and refill it. You can also use white vinegar in place of apple cider vinegar.
3.) Homemade Wine Trap to Get Rid of Gnats
According to studies, gnats and fruit flies love the smell of red wine so you can use it to trap them. The wine will also surely get the flies intoxicated. Mix one cup of red wine and two cups of water. Pour the wine solution into a small container. Now, cover the mouth of the jar with any plastic wrap. Make several small holes in the plastic with a toothpick to allow flies to enter the jar. The placement of jar is important so you should only place it where the gnats or fruit flies are more. You will notice dead flies in the jar after sometimes, dump the contents and refill it.
4.) Bleach to Get Rid of Gnats
Bleach is especially useful if you are suffering from gnats around your kitchen or bathroom sink. To get rid of gnats in these areas, bleach is a great option to try. This remedy comes with a limitation that if the gnats are breeding deep in the drainage system then bleach will not solve your problem. You need to proceed to some other remedy. Now, to use bleach remove everything from your sink. Put one cup of bleach in the sink such that bleach cover it. Before using this remedy you should wear eye and mouth protection and run hot water. Let the bleach drain naturally. Please note that you should not mix bleach with ammonia, as it is toxic vapours can be harmful to the health.
5.) Rotten or Overripe Fruit to Get Rid of Gnats
Rotten or overripe fruit can be used to make a gnat or fruit fly trap. The process of making and using the trap is same as above. Put several pieces of ripe or rotting fruit in a glass jar. Cover it with plastic wrap and make several small holes (just greater than the size of a gnat) in it with a toothpick or fork. Place the jar where you notice the most flies. Leave it for a few hours and you will see your jar is filled with gnats. Immerse it in a bucket of warm soapy water for about ten minutes to kill them.
6.) Vegetable Oil to Get Rid of Gnats
Vegetable oil is one of the best home remedies to eliminate flies infestation naturally. You will need to use a vegetable oil to trap to kill gnats that are from the drain in the kitchen sink. Pour about half cup of vegetable oil into the drain, and then rub some oil around the edge of the drain. Use a normal tape to close the holes of the drain. You should leave it overnight. Remove the tape in the morning. You will clearly see numerous gnats stuck on it. Repeat the process for a few more days until all gnats are eliminated.
7.) Liquid Dish Soap to Get Rid of Gnats
A lemon-scented liquid soap is another great option to keep the indoor plants free from gnats. The gnats will get attracted to the lemony fragrance and the chemicals in soap will kill them. Mix two tablespoons of liquid dish soap in four cups of water. Spray this solution on the infested plants to kill the gnats. Finally, spray on the leaves and stem of the plant with clean water to remove the soapy solution.
8.) Honey to Get Rid of Gnats
Honey is considered as the best solution for gnat’s infestation despite the fact that they get attracted toward honey’s sweet smell. The fact is you can easily make a honey trap to withdraw their attention and kill them. The sweet smell will definitely attract the gnats onto the trap, and its sticky consistency will prevent them from escaping. You just need to attach a toothpick to a side of a bright-colored index card. Slander the other side of the index card with a thin layer of honey. You will need to put the card into the soil of the infested houseplant. The card will soon fill with dead gnats and after that, you just need to replace it with a new one.
9.) Keep Your Kitchen Clean to Get Rid of Gnats
Once you eliminated all gnats from your home does not mean they will not come back. If your kitchen is messed up with food items then this is a pure invitation for gnats so keep your kitchen clean. Keeping your kitchen clean will not only prevent gnats but also fruit flies from entering your house. Do not leave any dirty dish overnight, wash and store them before bed. Keep all trash cans covered without any opening. Do not store bags of trash in your house overnight. Properly wipe down your lid and garbage containers with a disinfectant solution. Keep all the food containers tightly sealed. Clean newly purchased vegetables and fruits as soon as you get them home. Tightly close the bread bags and put sweets, cookies into a sealed jar.
10.) Lemongrass Essential Oil to Get Rid of Gnats
Lemongrass is an effective remedy to prevent gnat’s infestation naturally. This is not intended to kill them but to be used as a preventive measure. This remedy should be used when there are no gnats. Pour two cups of hot water in a spray bottle. Add ten drops of lemongrass oil in it. Spray this solution around your kitchen counters, indoor plants, and other places to prevent gnats.
11.) Cinnamon to Treat Gnats Infestation
Cinnamon is one of the best home remedies for gnats infestation. It is known for controlling the larvae and killing the gnats. Moreover, it destroys the fungus, which is fed by the larvae and thus controls the growth of the gnats fungus. To kill the gnats all you have to do is sprinkle the powder around the plants. Sprinkle the powder regularly until you get effective results. This is a wonderful remedy to et rid of ants as well.
12.) Tobacco to Get Rid of Gnats Fast
Though tobacco can be injurious to the health of a human being but it is one of the best remedies to remove the gnats. It has a very strong smell that is not like by the gnats and moreover, it is injurious to them as well. All you have to do simply lit 203 cigarettes and places them at the areas which are frequently visited by the gnats. Do this regularly to get rid of gnats fast. However, if you have pet or children at home, avoid this remedy.
13.) Baking Soda to Remove the Gnats
Another household remedy that can help you to get rid of gnats fast is our very own baking soda. Not only gnats it also helps to get rid of roaches as well. To kill the gnats prepare a solution of 4 tablespoons of baking soda, 1tablespoon of dish wash and water. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly and spray it around plants and places where gnats are quite visible.
14.) Lavender Oil to Getting Rid of Gnats
Like humans gnats also like lavender oil’s fragrance and thus it could act as a bait for them. To remove the gnats soak a sponge in the lavender oil and place this sponge in the areas, frequently visited by the gnats. Alternatively, you can grow lavender plants or can spread the petals of the dried lavender flower around.
15.) Garlic to Kill the Gnats
Garlic is one of the best home remedies for gnats infestation. It has a strong smell that is not liked by the gnats. It is also known as an effective mosquito repellent. You can prepare a spray to kill the pest around. For this soak some garlic in the mineral water. Leave it on for a day. Use this spray next day. Before using this add some liquid dish wash to it and shake it well. Spray this mixture around the plants and at the areas where these pests frequently visit.
16.) Olive Oil to Treat Gnats Infestation
Olive oil is one of the powerful ingredients, from skin to hair and house, it comes handy everywhere. Even for removing gnats as well. Simply pour some olive oil in the sinks, house drains and other remote areas that prone to gnats. Do this regularly for best results.
17.) Ammonia to Get Rid of Gnats Fast
Another remedy that can be helpful for killing gnats is ammonia. It is a wonderful remedy for bidding adieu to the pest like gnats. Pour some ammonia on the sinks, drainage pipes, and the places around mostly visited by the gnats. However, it is harmful to human beings as well so it diligently.
18.) Banana Peel to Get Rid of Gnats Fast
Another remedy that can help you to deal with gnats is a banana peel. The peel can work like a bait or a trap as well. In a jar place, banana peels or slice cover the jar and poke some holes in it so that gnats enter inside. Once they will enter inside they won’t be able to come back.
19.) Basil to Treat Gnats Infestation
Basil is also considered one of the best natural mosquito repellents. It helps to withdraw the pest from the premises. Simply plant a basil plant around or keep the dried basil leaves around the places visited by the gnats.
20.) Tea Tree Oil to Get Rid of Gnats Naturally to dealing
From treating skin problems to dealing with nasty pest, tea tree is an allrounder. It has a strong and pungent smell that works as a pest repellent. Simply spread some oil on the places where you see gnats most and see the instant results.