How to Get Rid of Gnats

Gnats can be a nuisance if they find a way inside your home. Seeing a few of these winged pests can also indicate you’ve got a more serious infestation on your hands.

Luckily, we’ve put together a handy guide on how to keep gnats out of your home.

In this blog, we’ll look at the following:

What Are Gnats?

A gnat is a common name for a few species of tiny flying insects found in Arizona and other parts of the United States. These species can include Mycetophilidae, Anisopodidae, and Sciaridae – though they are colloquially known as fruit gnats, drain gnats, and many other nicknames.

Some gnats bite, while others do not. It can be hard to tell which is which as they’re pretty small and typically fly in groups.

What Causes Gnats in the House?

Several environmental factors and resources attract gnats to the house. 

These include, but are not limited to:

  • Unsealed produce or flowers
  • Food waste or spillage
  • Buildup or residue in sink drains
  • Unsealed or overflowing garbage cans
  • Standing water sources

Generally speaking, gnats are looking to find food, water sources, and areas to nest and lay eggs. The moisture in many of these sinks and garbage cans is ideal for gnats to build a home, and the scent of food and plants will attract them if left unchecked.

Can You Get Rid of Gnats Naturally?

There are some DIY ways to get rid of gnats, including some natural solutions using household staples.


Some of the more effective natural ways to keep gnats away include:

  1. Vinegar Traps: Place a few tablespoons of vinegar and dish soap into a bowl and stir it. Set the trap down wherever the gnats are swarming, and it should remove some of them.
  2. Baking Soda/Vinegar Spray: Another vinegar-based method, only this time you actively spray and wipe down affected areas where there are gnats.
  3. Candle Traps: Place a scented candle in a holder and partially fill it with water. Gnats are attracted to the flame and scent, burning or causing them or fall into the water and drown.

These methods are effective for a few gnats but won’t help much against a swarm or actual gnat infestation. You will likely need to call professional pest control services to remove gnats permanently.  

How to Get Rid of Gnats for Good

The best way to get rid of gnats for good is by hiring regular pest control services. A gnat infestation can cause significant stress and degrade your drain pipes, and natural gnat remedies are generally ineffective.

Hiring professional pest control services for gnats will save you time and money in the long term.

The best pest control companies near you should provide:

  • A first-visit home appraisal and a unique plan for your pest problems
  • Modern and eco-friendly treatments that don’t damage your property
  • Integrated Pest Management Services for long-term pest protection
  • A scheduled arrival time that doesn’t keep you guessing
  • Pest removal from houses, plants, garages, yards, and irrigation
  • Itemized billing for all products and services rendered

The best pest control services will be able to work with you to schedule regular pest control services if needed. This could be annually, bi-annually, or however often your property and unique pest solutions dictate.


Best Ways to Prevent Gnats

To prevent gnats from swarming and infesting your home, we recommend taking the following precautions:

  • Keep a tidy kitchen: Gnats are most attracted to rotting foods, especially fruit and other produce. Make sure you don’t have these items in your cabinets, counters, or fridge.
  • Wipe down all surfaces: It’s common for food waste and moisture to build up on dirty surfaces, so make sure you are regularly cleaning your counters, floors, and walls.
  • Remove standing water sources: Items like buckets, gutters, and other outside containers are easy targets for gnats and other pests looking to find water. Additionally, if there are blockages or leaks from your pipes, ensure they are not surrounded by overflow water.
  • Empty and clean garbage bins often: Garbage bins are one of the most common things that attract gnats to your home. The combination of food remnants, liquids, and a contained environment makes for an ideal nest for gnats. Taking the garbage out and cleaning it will help remedy this.

These are just a few ways to prevent gnats from getting into your home. If you do these things alongside your regularly scheduled pest control services, you will have the best chance of getting rid of gnats for good.