14 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Gnats [Homemade Traps, Sprays & Repellents]

Gnats are small insects with wings that look very similar to fruit flies. These insects are commonly found in garbage cans, gardens, and rotten fruits. However, the real damage is done by the larvae of the gnats, which live underground.

These larvae can completely kill plants, especially houseplants. Apart from that, gnats are a nuisance, since they fly around everywhere.

Most people do not want to have gnats inside or outside their house, which is why we will discuss several natural ways to get rid of them in this article. 

How To Get Rid of Gnats Naturally?

Below are 14 effective natural ways to get rid of gnats. These methods include homemade gnat traps. homemade gnat traps, homemade repellents, and several other natural and home remedies to get rid of gnats.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar Trap

Apple cider vinegar has a strong fermenting smell, which is attractive to the gnats. However, if you mix some dish soap into the apple cider vinegar, the surface tension will be lowered, so any gnat that sits on the liquid will drown and die.

This is a very effective way to get rid of gnats from your home, however, you may have to set up the trap a few times a week. 

Required Items:

• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Unscented Dish Soap 

Step by Step Process:

• In a shallow bowl add ½ cup of water and 4 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar. 
• Add 2 to 3 drops of unscented dish soap and mix the liquid well. 
• Now place this shallow bowl with this liquid in an area that has a lot of gnats. This could be your kitchen or your bathroom etc. 
• After a few hours, you’ll see that the gnats have started to drown in the bowl. 
• Come back after a day or so and discard the dead gnats along with the liquid outside. 
• Repeat this process every 2 to 3 days to get rid of all the gnats in your house. 

Precautions:

Since this is a trap, it can attract gnats from the outside as well, so make sure to close your windows and doors before you set out the trap, otherwise, you may have more gnats than before. 

2. Fruit trap

Gnats are attracted to ripe and rotten fruits. Which makes it a perfect trap for these insects. You can use a ripe banana or a ripe apple for this purpose. The trap will be set in such a way that the gnats can get in but cannot get out.

This is a very effective method for trapping and getting rid of gnats, however, you may need to repeat the process a few times to get rid of an infestation. 

Required Items:

• Ripe fruit 
• Bowl 
• Plastic wrap 
• Toothpick 

Step by Step Process:

• Mash a ripe fruit into a bowl. Keep in mind, this bowl will become your trap. 
• Cover the bowl with plastic wrap. 
• Poke a few holes into the plastic wrap with a toothpick. The holes should be just large enough for gnats to enter. 
• Place this trap in the areas with the most gnats in your house. 
• After a while, you will start noticing that the gnats are entering the bowl to eat the ripe fruit, but they cannot get out and become trapped. 
• After a day, most of the gnats should be dead. If not you can simply add some water to the bowl to drown them before discarding the contents of the bowl. 
• Repeat the process if needed. 

Precautions:

Since this trap attracts gnats, keep your doors and windows closed before using it, otherwise more gnats will enter your home, being attracted to the trap. 

3. Flypaper trap

Gnats are attracted to the color yellow just like flies, which is why flypaper traps are quite effective against them. This method of trapping gnats is great for the garden or for indoor plants, however, you can use this in your kitchen or bathroom as well. 

Required Items:

• Flypaper

Step by Step Process:

• Peel off the protective paper from the flytrap paper to expose the sticky side. 
• Place the sticky papers in the areas that have been affected by gnats. 
• Place one fly trap paper in each of your indoor plants. 
• Gnats will be attracted to the paper because of its yellow color and the smell on it. Once they sit on it, they will be stuck to the paper. 
• Discard the paper afterward by folding it in two. 

Precautions:

This method will only get rid of the gnats inside your home or nearby the trap so it may not be able to get rid of all the gnats. 

4. Candle trap

The candle trap is an age-old method used to get rid of a number of different types of insects including gnats. Gnats are attracted to bright light, so when a candle is lit the gnats would rush towards it, but as soon as they fly near the flame they will burn and die.

To make the trap more effective you can place a dish with water below the candle so that the gnats fall into the water and drown. 

Required Items:

• Unscented Straight Candle
• Dish soap
• Shallow dish 
• Water 

Step by Step Process:

• Place a dish in an area that has a lot of gnats, such as in your kitchen. 
• Pour some water into the dish and add 2 to 3 drops of dish soap. Mix thoroughly. 
• Now light a candle and place it in the middle of the dish. 
• When the gnats see the candle flame, they will fly near it and burn instantly. If they don’t die they will fall into the dish with the water and drown. 

Precautions:

This method will work best at night when all other lights are turned off.

5. Wine trap

Wine is a liquid that is highly attractive to gnats. The fermenting alcohol smell will lure the gnats towards it, while the trap will effectively capture them.

This is a great way to get rid of gnats from your kitchen or bathroom without having to deal with any bad smells. 

Required Items:

• Wine 
• Dish soap 
• Shallow Bowl or dish 

Step by Step Process:

• Take a shallow bowl or a dish and place it in an area with gnats around. 
• Pour some wine into the dish. Add about half the amount of water as well. 
• Add 2 to 3 drops of dish soap into the mixture and mix thoroughly. 
• Gnats will be attracted to the wine and as they sit on the liquid, they will drown in the liquid and die. 
• Repeat the process if required. 

Precautions:

This trap will only kill any gnats that are nearby, so you may have to set this trap a few times to get rid of all of them. 

6. Use bleach

Bleach is a great way to kill off any gnats in your drain. This is a method that is commonly used with a gnat infestation in the sink or garbage disposal.

Bleach is a strong chemical that would kill gnats instantly, but it is also safe to use since it evaporates quickly and does not hurt humans if used correctly. 

Required Items:

• Bleach
• Spray bottle (optional)

Step by Step Process:

• Take about 1/4 cup of bleach and carefully pour it down any drain in your house. Repeat the same process for every other drain in your house. This will kill the gnats that grow inside the drains. 
• Take a spray bottle and fill 1/4th with bleach. Fill the rest of the bottle with water and mix well. 
• Spray this mixture onto the soil of your indoor plants directly. Do not drench the soil with the mixture, only spray the top. 
• Repeat the process a few times until all gnats disappear. 

Precautions:

Always use a pair of gloves while handling bleach, and keep the bleach mixture away from children and pets. 

7. Use Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is another chemical that is frequently used to kill gnats from sinks. The chemical kills gnats on contact but it is quite harmless for humans.

This is a good solution for a gnat infestation as it will kill large numbers of gnats at once. It can be used to kill gnats in your drains, and it can also be used to kill gnat larvae from the soil. 

Required Items:

• Hydrogen peroxide 
• Water 

Step by Step Process:

• For cleaning your drains, mix one-part peroxide with one part water and slowly pour the mixture down into your drain. Use about ½ cup of this mixture for each drain. 
• For killing the gnat larvae from your indoor plants, mix one part of peroxide with 3 parts of water and transfer to a spray bottle.
• Spray onto the soil of your house plants. Be careful not to spray on the plant itself, as it may damage the plant. 
• You may see some fizzing on the soil, which is normal. Spray again once the fizzing has stopped completely. 
• Repeat this process of spraying the soil every 2 to 3 days at least 2 more times. 

Precautions:

Hydrogen peroxide can damage your plants if sprayed onto them, so be careful while spraying the mixture. Use it sparingly. 

8. Neem Oil

Neem Oil is a natural pesticide and insecticide. It can be used to get rid of gnats from your garden or even your houseplants. You may also use neem oil as a spray to prevent gnats from sitting in your kitchen or on any food items. 

Required Items:

• Neem Oil 
• Water 
• Dish soap 

Step by Step Process:

• Mix 1 cup of water with 1 teaspoon of dish soap. 
• Add 2 teaspoons of neem oil into the mixture. 
• Transfer this mixture into a spray bottle and shake well before use. 
• Spray this mixture directly on the soil of the plants that are affected by gnats. You can drench the plants in the liquid as well. 
• You can also spray this mixture in the areas with a lot of gnats such as in your garbage can or in your toilet. 
• Use the spray every 2 to 3 days. 

Precautions:

Do not spray neem oil onto plants that you may eat, or wash them thoroughly before using them. 

9. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a great way to get rid of the larvae of gnats. This will help kill and prevent gnats from your houseplants or even outside plants. The diatomaceous earth powder is a fine powder that is quite sharp on the microscopic level.

When any soft-bodied insects, such as the larvae of gnats, walk on it or through it, they will get pierced and die. This is a highly effective method. 

Required Items:

• Diatomaceous earth powder

Step by Step Process:

• Make sure to start when your plant pots are relatively dry. 
• Spray a generous amount of diatomaceous earth powder on top of the soil, covering the entire pot. 
• If you have not planted your plant yet, you can mix in about 1/4th cup of diatomaceous earth powder into the top layer of soil in your pot. 
• When you water your plant, make sure to re-apply some diatomaceous earth powder on top again. 
• If there are any gnat larvae in the soil, they will die quickly, and when they try to emerge from the soil as gnats, they will become desiccated and die as well. 

Precautions:

Always use food-grade diatomaceous earth for your plants as it is most effective and safe. 

10. Fly Zapper

Electric fly zappers are great for getting rid of gnats, especially indoors. These machines have a UV light that attracts the gnats towards them, but as soon as they fly into the trap they get electrocuted and die.

This is a good solution for anyone who does not want to set up a trap manually because the zapper will do all the work for you. 

Required Items:

• Electric Fly zapper

Step by Step Process:

• Plug the electric bug zapper and switch it on. 
• Place it in an area that has a lot of gnats such as your kitchen or your patio. 
• As the gnats fly into the electric fly zapper, they get electrocuted and die. 
• You can later turn off the machine and empty the container that has collected all the dead gnats. 

Precautions:

Do not touch the electric zapper once it is turned on as it may shock you. Also, keep it out of the reach of pets and children when it is turned on. 

11. Alcohol and Soap spray

This homemade mixture can be sprayed directly onto the gnats to kill them. The alcohol will kill the gnats on contact, while the soap will smother them.

This is a good way to get rid of gnats if they are sitting on your indoor plants or fruits or just bothering you in general. 

Required Items:

• Isopropyl alcohol
• Dish soap 
• Water 
• Spray bottle 

Step by Step Process:

• Mix ¼th cup of isopropyl alcohol with 1 cup of water. 
• Add 2 teaspoons of dish soap into the mixture and mix well. 
• Transfer the mixture into a spray bottle and shake well. 
• Spray directly onto gnats in your home. You can safely use this mixture in your kitchen, pantry, or even on your fruits and vegetables. Just make sure to wash the fruits and vegetables with water before using them. 
• The gnats will die as soon as the spray hits them. 

Precautions:

Keep this mixture out of the reach of children and pets. 

12. Peppermint repellent

Peppermint is commonly used as an insect and pest repellent because of its strong smell. In the case of gnats, it is no different.

You can use peppermint essential oil to create a homemade spray and get rid of these pesky insects from your home in no time. However, this solution is meant for small numbers of gnats and not for an infestation. 

Required Items:

• Peppermint Essential Oil 
• Isopropyl alcohol 
• Spray bottle 
• Water 

Step by Step Process:

• In a spray bottle add ½ cup of isopropyl alcohol with ½ cup of water. 
• Add 20 drops of peppermint oil into the mixture. 
• Close the bottle and shake the bottle well before using it. 
• Spray this mixture throughout your house, especially in the areas that are usually affected by gnats. 
• The strong smell will keep the gnats away from your house. 
• Spray again 2 to 3 days later. 

Precautions:

This is a temporary solution to get rid of the gnats, but this will not get rid of them permanently. 

13. Citronella spray

Similar to peppermint spray, citronella is another herb oil that is commonly used to drive away insects from our home. You can easily make citronella spray at home and use it to get rid of gnats from your kitchen or your bathroom or even from your indoor plants. 

Required Items:

• Citronella Oil 
• Isopropyl alcohol 
• Water 
• Spray bottle 

Step by Step Process:

• Mix ½ cup of isopropyl alcohol with 1/4th cup of water into a spray bottle. 
• Add 20 drops of citronella oil into the mixture. 
• Close the bottle and shake the mixture vigorously before using it. 
• Spray the citronella spray on the areas that are most affected by gnats. Usually the kitchen or bathroom, or even a patio or balcony. 
• Spray down your indoor plants with the mixture as well. 
• Repeat the spraying process every 2 to 3 days. 

Precautions:

This spray will get rid of gnats temporarily, but will not permanently kill them, so you must use other methods as well. 

14. Eucalyptus spray

Eucalyptus not only has an excellent fragrance but can also be used as a gnat repellent. You can easily make a eucalyptus spray at home using eucalyptus essential oil and use it to get rid of gnats.

This spray is great for getting rid of gnats from your kitchen or pantry. However, this is not recommended for treating a gat infestation. 

Required Items:

• Eucalyptus oil
• Isopropyl alcohol 
• Water 
• Spray bottle 

Step by Step Process:

• In a spray bottle mix 1/4th cup of water with ½ cup of isopropyl alcohol. 
• Add 10 to 15 drops of eucalyptus oil into the liquid and close the lid. 
• Shake well before using the spray. 
• Spray directly onto the areas that have the most gnats around. This could be your kitchen or your bathroom or your indoor plants. 
• Spray until the smell has dispersed evenly. If there were any gnats, they would fly away from that area. 
• Repeat the spraying process every 2 to 3 days or when the smell starts to fade away. 

Precautions:

This spray will drive the gnats away, but they will return once the smell goes away. 

How to Keep Gnats Away?

Below are 5 natural preventive techniques to keep gnats away.

1. Cover your garbage cans

One of the most common places you will find gnats is in your garbage can. Garbage cans contain food scraps, fruit peels, etc, all of which attract gnats. In order to prevent this from happening, you can use a covered garbage can.

It may not completely get rid of them, however, it will definitely reduce the number of gnats around your garbage can. This will also make sure that the gnats cannot lay eggs and reproduce inside your garbage can.

Always make sure to cover the garbage can after throwing something in it. Also, make sure to clean the can regularly. 

2. Cover any entry points

The most obvious entry points for gnats are the windows and doors, but they can also come in through the sewage pipes, the ventilator, or any other cracks or openings in your house.

Seal off any of such holes or cracks with caulk or mesh wires. You can keep your windows completely closed or add a mesh screen to them to prevent gnats from entering. 

3. Clean your garbage disposal regularly

Garbage disposals are another area that can become infested with gnats. Garbage disposals can become cluttered with food scraps and rotten food. The disposal may not be completely clean even if you pour water into it every day.

Pour baking soda down into the disposal and then add some vinegar to it. Let the mixture sit for 5 to 10 minutes and then turn on your disposal.

Lastly pour some hot water down the disposal to finish. Do this every week or so, that way your garbage disposal will be clean and gnats will not be attracted to it. 

4. Clean your drains regularly

Similar to garbage disposals, drains can also become infested with gnats. You may see gnats in your bathroom, or kitchen regularly if there is a gnat infestation in your drains. This is why you should regularly clean your drains with a drain cleaner.

Pour drain cleaner, which is usually Sodium Hydroxide, into all your drain openings such as the shower drain, bathtub drain, and your sink.

Add cold water according to the instructions and let it work for 10 or so minutes. Then pour some more cold water into the drain openings. Do this every month or so to prevent any gnats from growing in your drains. 

5. Use beneficial nematodes

Beneficial nematodes are microscopic parasites that can kill gnat larvae. If your houseplants or garden plants are being attacked by gnats, using beneficial nematodes will help you prevent gnats from growing in the soil, thus preventing them overall.

This is a great solution for those that have houseplants, which are wilting or dying due to gnat larvae. 

Top 5 Natural Repellents to Get rid of Gnats

If you are looking for readily available natural repellents to get rid of Gnats, check below listed best Natural and Organic Gnat Repellents.

Final Words:

Needless to say, gnats are very annoying. Once they start reproducing, they quickly grow in population, which can mean a gnat infestation.

No one wants to deal with hundreds of flying insects. Moreover, the larvae of gnats can also infest garbage cans, or your garden soil, which can kill your plants as well.

Thankfully there are many ways you can get rid of them as well as prevent them from coming back. We hope you find the methods useful and you can get rid of these nasty insects from your home quickly.