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Anyone who has dealt with a gnat infestation knows they're seriously annoying. Even with summer winding down and fall on its way, some of the little pests still like to hang around. During this time, it's unfortunately still common to see dozens of them flying around your trash can, sink, or even your indoor plants. But not to worry, Country Living spoke with Emma Grace Crumbley, an entomologist at Mosquito Squad, aka, an insect expert, on everything there is to know about the little critters, how to get them out, and keep them out!
This is my personal favorite trap for indoors. The Zevo trap is a bestseller at most retail stores and on Amazon. This insect trap plugs into a wall outlet and while it uses UV lights to get the bug's attention, it's not an electric zapper. Instead, Zevo comes with a sticky cartridge that slides right on the back. It mainly traps and kills fruit flies and gnats, however, it's even caught a few mosquitos in my house. I just plug it into my wall and a few days later I'm always shocked to see how many bugs are trapped! There's also a Zevo Max that's double-sided for some serious bug catchin'. Plug it into an outlet where you see the most activity like a fruit bowl or near a trash can. You can also buy cartridge refills for a good price so you never run out!
While bug zappers are typically reserved for outdoor use, there are many options for indoor bug catchers that also utilize blue light to lure in pests. These noiseless machines should be able to catch the majority of gnats and flies in your home, and the best part is, you won't have to lift a finger to make the magic happen and there's no annoying buzz sound every time a fly dies.
There's really no solution more trustworthy—or oddly satisfying—than fly paper, which simply catches flying bugs on its sticky surface. You can either hang "ribbon fly paper" from areas in your home that get a lot of gnat traffic or try window fly paper, which will cover an entire window in an adhesive sheet.
If things get really bad, you may find yourself in need of a more serious bug killer. Insecticide is one option, though we caution against using it if you have small children around (and as always, you'll want to be sure you're following manufacturer directions). This Hot Shot Kitchen Bug Killer is one option that specifically targets gnats, in addition to several other household pests.
Natural Remedies To Get Rid Of Gnats
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Try Using Cinnamon
Anna Mahan / Country Living Magazine
While there are a lot of natural remedies swirling about, gnats and many insects actually detest the smell of cinnamon.
"Cinnamon’s intense aroma is overwhelming to insects and as a result they will seek a new home and breeding ground away from you. Cinnamon powder, commonly found in our pantries, will irritate the pest’s mouth, nose and lungs, sending them on their way to find a new home," according to experts with Mosquito Squad.
Sprinkle cinnamon in your trash can, in your plant soil, down your drains, and stick cinnamon sticks in that fruit bowl sitting on your kitchen counter. While it's not a perfect fix, it will definitely help prevent gnats and other pests from coming around. You can also make your own homemade remedy of cinnamon spray that's safe to spray on your body, or around the home.
How to Make Cinnamon Spray: Mix 4 cups of warm water and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon together. Mix it together really well, and let it steep for a while, like tea. Strain the liquid to get rid of any clumps of cinnamon and pour into a spray bottle. Next, add in a couple of drops of rubbing alcohol, and a couple of drops of dish soap. Shake it all up to combine and spray it on yourself, your kids, and surfaces around your home. I love spraying my counters and sink with this each night to help keep the bugs at bay.
Make an Apple Cider Vinegar Trap
Country Living / Terri Robertson
Apple cider vinegar is a natural remedy that attracts gnats because of the strong scent they're attracted to. But if you add in a little bit of dish soap, it traps them!
First, find a dish or bowl with a wide base and a narrow opening. Mix a half cup of warm water plus two whole ounces of apple cider vinegar, about a shot glass full. Then, add a few drops of liquid dish soap. Gnats will be lured in by the mixture, but once they dip in for a drink, the sticky dish soap will trap them. Simply place the bowl with solution in the areas where you've noticed the most gnats, and wait for results.
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Pour Boiling Water Down Your Drain
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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.
Pour boiling water down your drain to kill any bugs or eggs hiding down there. Then, fill the sink with water, or cover your drain with something for at least an hour or so to cut off any oxygen from the bugs and to keep them from flying out.
Use a Wine Trap
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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.
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Make a Diluted Bleach Mixture
CHRIS DELMAS
If you've noticed that the gnats in your home are converging around your sink drains, they may actually be drain flies. If the boiling water isn't strong enough, try creating a bleach mixture.
If you feel the need, protect your skin and your lungs properly, then dilute one-half cup of bleach with about one gallon of water and pour it down the affected drain.
Lure Them With Rotten Fruit
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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.
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What Are Gnats?
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. When in doubt, contact a pest control professional to help diagnose the problem.
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.
How to Keep Gnats Away for Good
Getting rid of gnats is one thing, keeping them from coming back is a whole different story. Once you've covered your bases on getting the little pests to leave, there are a few different tips and tricks that will help prevent them from coming back.
What causes gnats in the house?
" Many gnats feed, breed, and hang out in sludgy, moist substrates," Crumbley explained. "These substrates could be saturated soil, animal waste, and clogged drains and gutters. No matter the kind of fly, the key to controlling a gnat infestation is to locate the breeding source and eliminate or reduce it as much as possible."
Are Gnats attracted to any specific smells? Or do they hate any specific smells?
"This depends on the type of gnat. Fungus gnats tend to breed in overwatered plants and flooded soils, like houseplants, gardens, and flower beds. These gnats are attracted to the fermented smell of decomposing fruits, flowers, and veggies. Other small gnats, like phorid flies, prefer decomposing organic matter, like manure, rotting plants, and carrion."
Get Rid of All Leftover Food Debris or Crumbs
This may sound like a no brainer, but even a drop of wine or the smallest crumb from your dessert is a desirable feast to those gnats. Whether you're fixing a quick snack or cleaning up after dinner, make sure you're wiping up all leftover food crumbs and get rid of any dirty dishes. The least amount of open food in the area, the better. And if you're discarding any food waste, wrap it up in paper towels, napkins, or tie it up in a grocery store bag before throwing it in the trash to mask the food from the insects.
Get Rid of Trash Regularly
Aside from wrapping up food waste in closed bags before throwing it in your trash can, keeping your indoor trash to a minimum is so important. Definitely use a trash can with a tight lid so it's harder for bugs to fly inside and to mask any food scents. And take out the trash regularly, maybe more often than you normally would if you have gnats flying around. If any food waste is super strong, go ahead and throw it in your outdoor garbage can to keep those bugs outside and away from your home!
Keep Water and Humidity Levels Low
We're all prone to leaving a mug or a bowl in the sink after rinsing it out. However, still water sitting in the sink is a breeding ground for gnats and drain flies.
"All pests need water and moisture to avoid drying out," explained Crumbley.
When the bugs get bad, clean and put away all dishes, and be sure to wipe down the sink to dry up any remaining water. Cleaning out the drains or pouring boiling water down them is another great way to get rid of the bugs. And if humidity is an issue, running a dehumidifier or hanging a Moisture Absorber Packet in certain areas of your home will also decrease moisture and bug activity.
Don't Overwater Your Plants
If you're a plant lover, make sure you're not overwatering those indoor house plants. Double check how much water your plants really need and make sure you're giving them the right amount. And if they're flying around the leaves or soil, give the leaves a good wipe down, replace the top level of soil, and sprinkle cinnamon on top of the soil as well.
Anna Mahan is the Associate Commerce Editor for Country Living. She finds and shares a variety of the best lifestyle products, from fashion and beauty to cast iron skillets.
Emma Grace Crumbley is a University of Georgia-trained entomologist. She is passionate about insect education, scientific communication, and public, urban, and environmental health awareness. During her time at UGA, she earned two Bachelor of Science degrees in Applied Biotechnology and Entomology and served as the President of the Undergraduate Entomology Club. In addition, she was also the Head Zookeeper at the UGA Insect Zoo. Emma also works with Mosquito Squad to help with public education.
Expert consulted: Emma Grace CrumbleyEntomologist
