To kill gnats in your house effectively, follow these steps: 1. Identify and eliminate breeding sources
- Find where gnats are coming from, commonly near standing water, overwatered plants, drains, or exposed fruit
- Avoid leaving ripe fruit out and do not overwater indoor plants
- Remove any standing water around sinks, plants, or other areas
2. Use vinegar traps
- Fill a glass or bowl with apple cider vinegar and add a few drops of dish soap. The soap breaks the surface tension, causing gnats attracted to the vinegar to drown
- Alternatively, cover a container of vinegar with plastic wrap, poke small holes in it, and let gnats enter but not escape
- You can also use a paper cone in a jar with vinegar and old fruit to trap gnats
3. Pour boiling water down drains
- Pour boiling water down kitchen and bathroom drains to kill gnat eggs and larvae hiding there
4. Spray solutions
- Mix water, a few drops of dish soap, and a tablespoon of vinegar per cup of water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on gnats and affected areas
- Some recommend adding mint oil for added effect
5. Use sticky traps
- Place yellow or green sticky traps near plants or gnat hotspots to catch adult gnats
6. Treat indoor plants if fungus gnats are present
- Let the top layer of soil dry out between waterings to disrupt larvae development
- Drench soil with a solution of 1 part 9% hydrogen peroxide to 6 parts water to kill larvae and eggs
- Sprinkle cinnamon or use chamomile tea to make soil inhospitable to larvae
- Use mosquito bits or Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) products to kill larvae biologically
- Apply food-grade diatomaceous earth on soil surface to kill larvae and adults on contact
7. Additional traps
- Use beer or wine traps by leaving an open bottle with a narrow neck to attract and trap gnats
Repeat these methods consistently for several weeks to break the gnat life cycle and fully eradicate them. Prevention by keeping areas dry and clean is key to avoiding reinfestation
. This combined approach targets both adult gnats and their larvae, ensuring effective elimination of gnats in your home
