How To Get Rid Of Gnats Indoors

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It starts off so innocently: You leave one ripe banana out on your counter or you overwater your houseplant, and the next thing you know, you have a full-fledged gnat problem on your hands. Thankfully, there are tried-and-tested ways for how to get rid of gnats—many of which require items you already have in your pantry.

Before you look for the best gnat killer, you'll want to make sure you're actually dealing with gnats, as they're often confused with fruit flies or drain flies. Fungus gnats are mosquito-like black insects with elongated bodies, while fruit flies are rounder and brown in color (find out how to get rid of fruit flies if that's the case!). Drain flies are fuzzy with large, moth-like wings.

Still here? You might be wondering why you have a gnat problem in the first place. Gnats are attracted to moisture, so you're most likely to encounter them in the summer months—they often hang out in moist areas of your home like your kitchen drain or potted soil. That also means factors like food spills, unsealed garbage cans, or potted houseplants can all contribute to an infestation. Whatever's causing the issue, you'll want to get rid of these pesky insects ASAP. Read on for seven ways to banish gnats from your home, including foolproof products like fly paper and ingenious solutions like a candle flame trap. To prevent a gnat problem in the future, make sure to keep your food stowed away with the best food storage containers and spice jars!

1 Fly Paper

You can't go wrong with fly paper, which catches any flying insects. Just unroll the sticky paper using a twirling motion and hang wherever gnats are an issue. We promise they won't be bugging you anymore!

2 Apple Cider Vinegar Trap

Make a gnat-catching solution with ingredients you have in your pantry. Mix a half cup warm water with two tablespoons apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon of sugar, and six drops of liquid dish soap in a small bowl. Gnats won't be able to resist the sweet concoction, but thanks to the sticky soap they won't be able to escape!

3 Red Wine Trap

Don't worry, you don't have to sacrifice your favorite bottle. This trap works best with wine that's turned vinegary. Mix some vino with a couple drops of dish soap in a small bowl, and wait for the gnats to accumulate.

4 Diluted Bleach

Are gnats hanging out around your drain? Dilute a cup of bleach with about one gallon water, pour it down the drain, and your gnat problem will be history.

5 Candle Flame Trap

Burn, baby, burn! For this old-school trick, place a long tapered candle in a candlestick holder, then put the holder into a pan that's partially filled with water. Turn off all the lights and wait for the gnats to fly toward the flame. If they don't hit the flame directly, they'll fall into the water.

6 Insect Control

If indoor plants are the culprit behind your gnat problem, invest in these ready-to-use granules, which you can add to the soil of a potted plant. The pesticide will protect your plants from gnats (plus termites, mealybugs, and other pesky insects) for up to eight weeks. Note: You shouldn't use it for any edible plants!

7 Rotten Fruit

It might sound counterintuitive, but you can lure gnats with the same thing that might've caused your problem. Add rotten fruit to a large bowl, cover with plastic wrap, secure with a rubber band, and poke small holes on the surface. Gnats will flock to the overripe fruit, but they won't be able to escape!

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