Gnats are tiny winged insects, typically 2.5 millimeters long and yellow or brown in color. They thrive in hot and humid climates, at times feeding on other insects, plants, fungi, and blood. The female gnat can bite, causing painful, itchy bumps that increase the risk of open sores. Additionally, these pests can transmit infectious diseases. To prevent these issues, it is important to get rid of indoor gnats immediately.
Ways to get rid of gnats
1. Try dish soap
Using dish soap is often considered the best way to get rid of gnats. All one has to do here is pour water and dish soap into a bottle and shake it to mix both liquids thoroughly. Then, one can spray the solution in the kitchen or near windows, wherever one usually finds gnats. This solution is an instant gnat killer. One can make a fresh solution repeatedly to keep gnats away. Another way to target these insects is by setting up a trap. One can add a few drops of liquid dish soap to a bowl containing equal quantities of apple cider vinegar and water. The pests will be attracted to the vinegar, fall into the dish, and die because of the dish soap and water. Adding honey red wine instead of vinegar is also an option as long as dish soap is added.
2. Use gnat traps
Upon noticing gnats around the home, one would be tempted to go for chemical-based gnat killers that work instantly. However, such products are often harmful to occupants, especially infants, seniors, pets, or household members with allergies. This is where gnat traps can help.
- Sticky tape trap
Gnats are attracted to the color yellow. So, one can get some yellow adhesive tapes to trap gnats. All one has to do is place the tape with the sticky part turned outward in spots frequented by the gnats. One can use ripe fruit as bait here. - Light traps
Certain devices come with UV lights that attract small insects, including gnats. As soon as these pests get close to the light, the devices emit a mild electric shock, killing gnats instantly. Some UV lights also have adhesive-lined sheets where gnats get stuck. - Vacuum traps
These devices, powered by strong suction units, pull the gnats toward sticky sheets or containers within. So, once the gnats enter these devices, they get stuck and eventually die.
3. Use kitchen ingredients
Gnats breed and thrive in moist areas, like drains in kitchens. To target the source, one can mix boiling water and bleach in a 10:1 ratio and pour the mixture into the drain to kill both adult gnats and their eggs. Alternatively, one can use essential oils to target these pests, as they avoid places with strong fragrances. Here, one can mix a few drops of water with concentrated essential oils like eucalyptus, tea tree, or mint oil and spray the solution on gnats directly.
Additionally, when combined with dish soap and water, certain kitchen ingredients are great home remedies for trapping and killing gnats. For instance, one can set up a sugar trap. Here, combining sugar with dish soap and water will trap and kill gnats. Using ripe or decaying fruit is another option. One can pour a solution made up of vinegar and decaying fruit into a jar and place a paper cone at the top. The flies will be attracted to the fruit and enter the jar through the cone. Then, they will be unable to escape it.
4. Use store-bought solutions
If one is dealing with a huge infestation of gnats, one may have to rely on powerful store-bought insect killers. These products usually come in spray bottles, often with precise nozzles that can target flying pests with ease. They are also formulated to instantly kill gnats. If one is using such a product around the kitchen, especially around food and utensils, then one should clean the surfaces before using them. Another way to quickly target flying insects is by using bug zappers. These tools contain UV lights that attract gnats. Once they come close to the lights, they are hit with an electric current, dying immediately.
To target outdoor gnat hotspots, like the backyard or garden outside the home, one can get 3% hydrogen peroxide liquid from a local store or online. Then, one can mix one part of the product with four parts of water and pour it on the soil to kill gnats, their larvae, and eggs. Alternatively, one can sprinkle cinnamon powder around the plants where one spots gnats. This kitchen ingredient can stop the pests from breeding further.
Preventive measures
Gnats thrive in moist and damp environments. So, eliminating such spots inside and outside the home can help one get rid of gnats. For starters, one should dispose of any food and yard waste regularly and keep garbage bins covered. One should also cover fruits and vegetables to avoid attracting flies. Cleaning the drains regularly also helps keep these insects at bay. Additionally, keeping an eye out for leaks and dampness in the home and getting these issues fixed will reduce the risk of a gnat infestation. If one has pets in the house, they must get rid of their feces immediately and keep the area clean and disinfected.
