Gnat Removal: How to Get Rid of Gnats

How to remove gnats and prevent them from entering your home.

Insects like cockroaches and bed bugs get a lot of attention, but there are few species in the insect kingdom more annoying than gnats. Just one or two of these insects flying around your face is enough to drive anyone absolutely crazy.

If you’re hoping you can get rid of gnats by simply ignoring them and hoping they go away, think again. Instead, start using these simple gnat removal and prevention strategies:

Gnat Removal Techniques

Whether these annoying bugs are only appearing occasionally or you’re experiencing a full-on infestation, it’s important you learn how to get rid of them right away.

Here is a quick list of techniques for different areas and situations:

  • Living room — Mix one cup of water, a tablespoon of vinegar, and a few drops of dish soap into a spray bottle. The next time you see any buzzing around, spray them with this houseplant-safe concoction.
  • Kitchen — Gnats are drawn to fruit baskets. When this happens, mix two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with one liter of water, a tablespoon of sugar, and a few drops of dish soap into a container. Then, set it next to the fruit and watch as they get stuck in the solution.
  • Dining room — Gnats are attracted to wine, too. So, if you’re enjoying a glass, why not share? Just add a dash of dish soap to a glass, set it nearby, and the gnats will enter but then get stuck.
  • Bathroom — A typical water/vinegar/soap mixture often won’t work on gnats that are circulating the drains. Instead, mix one-half cup of bleach with a gallon of water, and then pour it down the drain. Repeat, as needed.
  • Pantry — First, mash up a rotten or overripe banana. Then, stick it in a mason jar, put plastic wrap over the opening, and poke several small holes in it. The gnats will push through the holes but won’t be able to escape.

Gnat Prevention Techniques

In addition to gnat removal for your home or business, it’s important that you learn how to avoid these tiny insects in the first place. Here are a few prevention techniques that you can easily follow:

  • Wash dirty dishes — Gnats are drawn to dirty dishes, especially those with any kind of sugary substance on them. If you don’t want to wash the dishes right away, at least rinse off the food and stick them in the dishwasher or a sink of water.
  • Take out trash — Your trash often contains rotting food that the gnats can smell long before you do. If you’ve thrown away any food into the trash, be sure you’re carting it out to the dumpster each night.
  • Remove dampness — Like other insects, gnats are attracted to water sources. If there’s any standing water outside your home or dampness inside, you’ll get gnats. Clean up these problem areas as soon as you notice them.
  • Change pot soil — When pot soil hasn’t been changed for a while, the odor (which you won’t notice) will attract gnats. To prevent this, switch out the soil on a regular basis.

Professional Gnat Removal

Gnats can multiply quite quickly, which means that just a handful can soon turn into a major infestation. The do-it-yourself tactics listed above will keep them at bay, but it’s important that you seek the help of a of a professional, too. A well-trained pest control expert will employ organic methods that will eliminate the problem and help prevent future infestations.

ProHealth Pest Control Will Assist You with Gnat Removal

By following these simple techniques and employing the help of a professional exterminator, you’ll get rid of gnats in no time. In addition to gnat control, ProHealth Pest Control can assist you with termite control, rodent control, and other types of organic pest control in Clearwater. To learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services, reach out to our team at (727) 308-4129 to schedule a no-cost pest control consultation.