To get rid of gnats fast, try these effective methods:
- Use vinegar traps: Pour apple cider vinegar into a glass or jar, cover with plastic wrap, secure with a rubber band, and poke small holes in the wrap. Gnats enter but can't escape. Alternatively, add dish soap to vinegar in a bowl to trap and drown them
- Set sticky traps: Place yellow sticky traps near plants or light sources to catch adult gnats quickly. Replace them when full
- Dry out soil: Let the top 4 inches of soil dry completely before watering again. Gnats lay eggs in moist soil, so drying it disrupts their lifecycle
- Use mosquito bits (BTI): Water plants with mosquito bits soaked in water to kill gnat larvae in soil. This biological control is safe and effective over 2-3 weeks
- Pour boiling water down drains: Drains can harbor gnat eggs; pouring boiling water kills them and cleans buildup
- Use insecticidal sprays: Products with geraniol or lemongrass oil kill gnats on contact and are safe indoors
- Beer or wine trap: Leave an open bottle of stale beer or wine to lure and trap gnats
- Homemade spray: Mix water, isopropyl alcohol, and dish soap in a spray bottle and spray gnats directly
For severe infestations, combine several methods: dry soil, cinnamon sprinkle on soil surface (which repels gnats), vinegar traps, potato slices to attract larvae, and BTI treatments repeatedly for up to a month for full eradication
. These approaches provide fast and comprehensive control of gnats indoors and around plants
