There’s a reason why these little insects are referred to as pests. Try a few easy DIY solutions to banish them from every room of your house—and fast.
Although they can’t really harm you, gnats are certainly annoying. I’m sure you are wondering what brought them inside in the first place. Rotting fruit is a common culprit, but it isn’t the only one. Dirty dishes, trash bags with spoiled food, and even damp potting soil can cause gnats to congregate and drive you crazy.
The good news: There are a handful of clever DIYs for how to get rid of gnats in your house that require nothing more than ingredients that you probably have in your kitchen or pantry. Here area a few room-by-room DIYs of gnat-removal that will help you fix the problem before it gets worse.
REMOVE GNATS FROM THE KITCHEN
Have a few gnats hanging around your fruit basket? You’ll need apple cider vinegar, sugar, dish soap, water, and a container. Simply mix approximately two tablespoons of vinegar with one liter of water. Add a tablespoon of sugar and a few drops of dish soap, stir it all together, and set the container near the fruit. The insects will be attracted to the scent, then when they make contact with the solution they’ll get stuck in the soap and drown.
REMOVE GNATS FROM THE DINING ROOM
The next time you’re drinking a glass of red wine at the dinner table and notice the occasional gnat hovering around, get ready to set out an extra glass. Gnats are attracted to the sugary, fermented beverage. Simply pour a small amount of wine into a glass, and add a dash of liquid soap—Try not to drink out of that glass! The gnats will fly right in, get stuck.
REMOVE GNATS FROM THE BATHROOM
Gnats usually swarm around the sink or above tub drain. Once you know where the drain flies are coming in, keep the access point covered with sticky tape or a drain plug at all times. Once or twice daily, boil a pot of water, uncover the drain and pour the boiling water down it. Recover the drain, and repeat the boiling water method once or twice daily for at least a week until the flies are gone.
REMOVE GNATS FROM THE PANTRY
Sure, rotten fruit attracts gnats, but it’s also something you can use to attract and eliminate. The next time you have a rotten or overripe banana, mash it into a container, such as a mason jar. Next, put plastic wrap over the top of the jar before puncturing the plastic with a scattering of holes. Gnats will wiggle through the openings to get to the fruit, but the transparent cover will prevent them from flying back out.
REMOVE GNATS FROM THE LIVING ROOM
If you notice just a gnat or two circling the room, this method is for you: Fill a spray bottle with a mixture of one cup of water, one tablespoon of vinegar, and a few drops of dish soap. The next time you see a gnat flying around, zap it in the air with a spritz. And don’t worry—this solution won’t harm your indoor plants.
Check back for more Hippie Chick ideas next time! Also check out other articles on gnats and other pests on the Bugyman Blog!