The Best Way to Get Rid of Gnats

The best way to get rid of gnats is to create a trap with items you probably already have around the house, such as vinegar and dish soap. Gnat zappers and sprays also work, and you can purchase them at your local hardware store or garden shop. Keeping your home clean and discarding old or rotten food can keep gnats from returning.

If you see one or two gnats in your home, chances are you’ll have an infestation soon if you don’t already. In just 10 days, a female can lay up to 300 eggs. They’re more common in warmer weather, but they can appear any time of year. And while gnats are annoying, they’re pretty easy to get rid of that you usually need to call in professional pest control services.

On this Page:

1. Best Way to Get Rid of Gnats
2. Best Thing to Kill Gnats
1. Sprays
2. Traps
3. Zappers
3. Best Home Remedy for Gnats in Your Drains
4. Best Way to Keep Gnats Away

Best Way to Get Rid of Gnats

The best way to catch gnats in your home is to make traps with items you probably already have in your kitchen. The most common trap is made from apple cider vinegar with a few drops of dish soap added. Place the solution into a shallow bowl, and place it on your kitchen counter. The gnats love the scent of the vinegar, but the soap prevents them from escaping the liquid.

A candle trap is another option that works well. Just remember that you shouldn’t leave a candle burning overnight, and you need to place it in a location where kids and pets can’t reach it.

Place a candle on a trap or shallow dish, and light it. Fill the dish with a solution of water and dish soap. Turn off the other lights in the room. The candle’s flame attracts the gnats, as does the reflection of the flame in the water.

Best Thing to Kill Gnats

If you’re not a fan of DIY or organic pest control, there are some products you can buy at your local garden shop or hardware store. Each one has its benefits but isn’t perfect for every home.

Pros and Cons of Sprays

The fastest way to get rid of gnats you see in your home is to use a spray meant for killing bugs and insects. They work quickly on contact, and you can find products for both indoor and outdoor use.

You have to be careful with these types of sprays, however. Not all of them are safe to use in your kitchen or around children and pets. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Pros and Cons of Traps

Gnat and fly traps come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they usually have a sticky sweet-scented layer on them that attracts the pests and then prevents them from flying away. They’re inexpensive, and you just throw them away when you’re finished with them. They work well when you have many swarming gnats.

Unfortunately, traps will kill adult gnats, but they don’t take care of eggs and larvae. They’re also unsightly when used indoors. And some homeowners do not like the scent they sometimes give off.

Pros and Cons of Zappers

Zappers use light to attract gnats and flies, and then electricity to kill them. They work really well and can handle larger infestations.

However, you can only use most zappers in outdoor areas. And, after a while, you’ll need to clean the dead gnats and flies off of them. They can also be on the expensive side.

Best Home Remedy for Gnats in Your Drains

The best way to get rid of gnats in your house is to treat your drains and garbage disposal. Over time, food and waste builds up in them, and gnats see them as a good place to breed and lay eggs. Your local pest inspector will almost always look to the drain first when you have a flying insect issue.

Treat your drains by pouring any of the following down them. You may have to repeat the step a few times to kill off the entire infestation.

• Boiling water
• Boiling white vinegar
• Bleach

Best Way to Keep Gnats Away

The best way to get rid of gnats and keep them from returning is to create a home where they aren’t welcome. They’re usually attracted to rotting or moldy food, like fruit, so keep all of your food sealed or refrigerated, or throw it away when it gets old.

Treat your drain regularly or consider having a pest control expert do so once a year. Seal any cracks in your home, and keep screens on your windows and doors. Take your garbage out daily, and keep the can clean.

Finally, make sure you clean up any food-related spills or messes immediately. Wipe down your counters and other surfaces daily. Wash dishes immediately, and keep your sink clean.

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