Gnats are a species of pesky creatures common across just about the entire world!
Exceptionally small but extremely annoying, gnats are a harmless species that can be seen hanging around nearly every house.
While it is quite easy to get rid of them, there are number of ways in which they can come back and dwell in your abode. And if you happen to live near a body of water, you have had it. They become your neighbors!
So, while here we discuss home remedies to get rid of gnats quickly, you must get a handful of knowledge of what actually are they?
Gnats are small but long-legged insects that usually dwell in damp areas. Although considered weak fliers, they are small-winged insects that fly. They are also known as black flies, fungus gnats or ‘fruit flies’ and midges. They can either be non-biting or biting.
Despite their small size, gnats can be a huge nuisance causing a number of food-borne and water-borne diseases. Therefore, it becomes important to eliminate gnats from your surroundings.
Here are some easy and quick methods to make homemade traps to get rid of gnats instantly:
Contents
Method 1: Using ACV and Dish Soap Trap
Things you’ll need:
- Apple cider vinegar – 1 cup
- Dish soap – 1 tablespoon
- Toothpick
- Plastic wrap
- Mason jar
Step 1. Make a solution using ACV and dish soap
- Pour 1 cup of ACV and 1 tablespoon of dish soap into a mason jar.
- Mix them together thoroughly.
Apple cider vinegar has a pungent smell that draws the gnats closer.
Dish soap comes in interesting colors that makes the jar more attractive to gnats. A lemon-scented dish soap works the best in this trap.
Step 2. Cover a jar with plastic wrap
To form a trap, seal the jar using plastic wrap.
Step 3. Poke holes in the plastic
- Using a toothpick, poke very small holes in the plastic wrap. This allows the bugs to get in easily but makes it difficult for them to escape.
- Leave the jar in a place usually inhabited by gnats, like your kitchen or dining area.
- Once the jar is filled with gnats and other insects, dispose of the contents.
Method 2: Using a Rotten Fruit Trap
Things you’ll need:
- Banana, overripe– 1
- Plastic wrap
- Scissors
- Toothpick
- Bowl, can or jar
Step 1. Place a rotten fruit in a bowl
- Peel and divide 1 slightly rotten banana into several small slices.
- Place the slices in a jar or bowl.
Banana has a sweet and palatable aroma that easily lures the gnats. You may also use overripe or rotten apples for this method.
Step 2. Cover and seal the bowl with plastic wrap
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and seal the ends.
Sealing is an important step here as this prevents the gnats from escaping.
Step 3. Poke holes in the plastic
- Use a toothpick, a screw or a nail to poke small holes into the plastic covering. Small holes allow the insects to get in easily but makes it hard for them to escape.
- Place the trap in an area that is usually inhabited by gnats, such as your kitchen, sink, bathroom and under the bed.
- The next day, you will discover gnats in the trap. Dispose of the contents and wash the bowl in soapy water.
Alternatively, you can dispose of the trap if you’ve used a disposable can or jar.
Method 3: Using a Wine Trap
Things you’ll need:
- Red wine
- Jar or bottle with a narrow opening
- Funnel
Pour wine into a jar
- Using a funnel, pour some wine into a jar with a narrow opening.
- Set it in an area usually inhabited by gnats.
Red wine has an attracting color and scent that lures flies and gnats. Once the gnats meet the wine, unable to escape, they drown in the liquid.
Method 4: Using a Natural Repellent
Things you’ll need:
- Lavender oil
- Sponge
- Jar
Soak a sponge with lavender oil
- Soak a sponge with lavender oil and place it in a jar overnight. This helps infuse the scent of the oil into the jar.
- The next day, open the jar to allow the scent of the oil to permeate the air.
Lavender oil has a very strong scent that easily spreads in the air, acting as a natural repellent to shoo away gnats.
Alternatively, you can use lavender oil diluted with water and spray it in the areas infested by gnats.
Additional Tips
- Gnats run far from the scent of vanilla, so you can use a vanilla spray to get rid of gnats around you. You may also dilute some vanilla extract with water and apply the lotion on your body.
- Do not keep any dirty dishes lying around in your kitchen sink. Clean your dishes right after your meal.
- Throw away any food (especially fruit like bananas and apples) that are rotting or have gone bad.
- Cover your trash cans well. Leaving trash cans open builds a breeding ground for gnats and other insects.
- Get rid of damp areas in and around your house. Gnats dwell in damp regions, specifically in the bathroom and the kitchen. So, keep the areas as dry as possible.
- If you have indoor plants, change the soil frequently. Invest in top-quality soil that repels unwanted pests (including ants).
Summary of How to Get Rid of Gnats:
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