Gnats, also known as fruit flies are one of the most invasive and annoying pests you can get in your home. Getting rid of gnats is a bit easier with this Homemade Gnat Killer and a super simple gnat trap.
Gnats can invade your home in different places like sinks, drains, plants and especially around ripe fruits...that's why some people refer to them as fruit flies. Once they invade, they can be kind of difficult to get rid of. I have a few tricks that I use to trap, kill and keep those pesky gnats from coming back!
How to Trap Gnats
Last year I wrote THIS POST on How to Get Rid of Gnats, and I still love using the trap mentioned in this post, because I can place them in different parts of my home without anyone really noticing them.
Another easy way to trap gnats or fruit flies is to mash up a banana and place it in a bowl with some plastic wrap placed loosely over the bowl. Gnats LOVE ripe bananas. You'll definitely have to throw this trap out on the same day or it could bring more gnats around, but it's a great trap to use if you want them to gather quickly.
Once you've trapped as many gnats as possible, it's time to move on to killing the ones that just won't go away.
How to Kill Gnats or Fruit Flies
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You're going to need to make some homemade gnat spray. I use this spray around my kitchen and bathroom sinks, any drains, near my plants and any other area where gnats may gather. I do not spray this on my fruits and vegetables. Before spraying this solution on plants, you should test a small leaf to make sure it won't damage or kill the plants. Some plants are more sensitive than others.
Homemade Gnat Killer
What you will need:
- spray bottle ( Purchase HERE)
- ½ cup of water
- ½ cup of isopropyl alcohol ( Purchase HERE )
- 1 teaspoon of dish liquid ( Purchase HERE )
- labels (optional - Purchase HERE )
Mix ingredients in a clean spray bottle and spray on live gnats. The dish liquid helps the solution stick to the gnats and the isopropyl alcohol will kill them. Be sure to label your spray so it doesn't get mistaken for something else. You can purchase these items in most grocery stores, but I've included links in case you'd like to purchase them on Amazon.
How do you prevent gnats from coming in your home?
Once you've killed the gnats, you'll want to take a few precautions to ensure they stay away. Here are a few tips to keep them out of your home...
- toss or use any overripe fruits
- don't overwater houseplants
- make sure your indoor garbage bins have airtight lids
- keep drains and disposals clean (I am not a huge fan of bleach, but I do pour bleach down my drains a few times during the summer to keep gnats at bay.
- don't leave open food lying around on counters or in your pantries
If you have other pest issues, check out these helpful posts...
Got ants? Grab the recipe for my 2 Ingredient Ant Deterrent Spray and ditch those toxic store bought ant sprays!
If you think your pet/pets may have fleas, you are going to want to whip up this Non-Toxic Flea Killing Shampoo that was actually recommended by our family vet!
Looking for more easy Home Tips? Find them HERE on my Home Tips Page!
Sandy says
I dry coffee grounds and spread them any where ants might enter the house. Th e grounds give off a gas that interferes with their antennas ( cockroaches and other critters with feelers also) will be repelled.
mary says
how do you get rid of little black fly like bugs , they seem to come from my plant soil?
Judy Noel says
Gant sticks put it planted easy on watering them as well. They sell at garden centers or hardwares.
Jessica says
Thanks for the information, Judy!!
Mary Kay Lahay says
Thanks for the tip!
Esther Kibui says
Lesson taken. Buy 3 bananas at a time and eat them as soon as possible. Also noticed wet cat food was a culprit. What an nightmare.
Lisa says
I will be trying the gmat spray their terrible here. Thanks for sharing 💕
Gloría says
Hi lm concern about gnats l have about 50 bites only me thank u.
Jessica says
Hi, Gloria! Gnats don't typically bite, so you may have a different issue. Where are the bites?
Pauline says
Gnats don't generally bite humans; can you identify/catch/trap with scotch tape spot of honey on it and take it to someone who can identify what bug it is? Chiggers bite, mosquitoes bite,fleas bite, ticks bite, some flies bite humans but I haven't heard of gnats doing so.
Carla L Sandstrum says
I live in the country and knats have been really bad the last 2 summers. They are biting knats infestation and i have had the apple cider vinegar traps in every room. I am now trying the alcohol spray. I sprayed plants outside and all rooms inside. I also poured alcohol and dishsoap down drains and covering overnight. I hope this works. This is very annoying and aggrevating
Jessica says
I'm so sorry to hear this, Carla! If you have bleach, try pouring it down your drains...about a cup of it. Then flush with hot water after about 5 minutes. Hope all of this helps in some way! xoxo, Jess
Ivory says
Oh my, I love both of theses ideas. I will be using them the next time I have gnats/ants.
As always, thank you for sharing
Cathy Berthier says
Can I spray the gnat spray directly on my houseplants without harm? They seem to live in the planting soil!!!
Jessica says
I wouldn't spray it directly on your plants. Instead, create a gnat trap as seen in the post and place it near the plant. Then try smothering the gnats by covering the soil with plastic wrap...the ones that escape will hopefully go to the trap, the others will likely suffocate. I'm going to do some research and try to come up with a full post that covers this! Stay tuned!
onebbap says
Tried both the spray and the vinegar trap out of pure desperation. Both combine got rid of all the gnats. Will definitely use both again if I ever have to although I really hope I do not.
Bob says
I really appreciate the mix for the spray. I'm trying it now and already I seen that don't move around. Thank you so much. I live in Florida where gnats can be unbelievable. Again thank you.
Bob says
That should have been I've seen. Don't know how to edit
Jessica says
No worries...so happy to help!
Manjeet says
You can also put some red wine vinegar in a cup, cover with cling wrap and poke some holes in the wrap. Works great to trap gnats!
Rebecca Payne says
Thank you for sharing. Much needed.
Paul says
When gnats bitethey leave a large welt that can stayfor a week. I've had gnat bites on my eye that swell up and closed it. Most gnat bites occur outside or forest waterways...
Rose says
I’ve tried the apple cider vinegar and dish soap in a mason jar covered with plastic wrap and poked holes with a toothpick, however that does seem to be working. So now I’m trying the spray and bleach down drains. I really hope this works! They are so annoying, and I’m over it! Thank you for the info.
Kim says
I hope it does work!! Also cone up with some thing to kill these other ones that get on every single thing in my house. White black and brown. Some I feel others I don't I just see them on me.
Stacey Pennington says
You are the 3rd or 4th website I have seen with the gnat spray. We all the sudden (I guess due to the heat in my area) have started having an influx of gnats near our litter boxes. This so far has seemed to work. I will go back down in a bit and check. I just made another batch. Thank you for sharing.
Cynthia Robson says
Gnats and fruit flies are 2 different insects. The names are nit interchangeable.
Pauline says
Forgot to say: exterminator companies can usually ID bugs for you.