How to Get Rid of Gnats – Natural, Herbal, and Chemical Treatment

1. Introduction

Gnats are a species of one of many tiny flying insects. They belong to the dipterid suborder Nematocera in Mycetophilidae, Anisopodidae, and Sciaridae. Gnats are of biting as well as non-biting types. Mainly one can see them flying together, making a cloud. There is no science base on what forms a gnat.

There is a thought among entomologists that only non-biting flies are gnats. The Smithsonian Institute has described them as \’non-biting flies as small as few grains of salt, attracted to fluid excreted by your eyes.\’

At dusk, male gnats gather in large malting swarms or ghosts. Some gnat larvae are aquatic, but mostly they are free-living. Some are carnivorous, but most feed on plants. Some species of gnats are pests of mushrooms and roots of potted plants in houses and greenhouses.

1.1 Life Cycle

Non-biting gnats are active in summer and prefer wet soils near water. In moist coastal regions, however, they can be found at any time of the year. When the females enter swarms, mating takes place. The females lay many eggs on water or near watery vegetation.

The hatching takes longer, and the larvae drop to the bottom to build tube-like structures in debris. The tiny worm-like larvae feed on organic material. The species pupate for a few days after the larvae stage for about a month. The pupa becomes a nutritious food for fish as they surface water.

The metamorphosis of larvae from the pupal stage turns out to become winged adults. However, this stage lasts less than a week or so. The adults live for another one and a half weeks, producing as many as 300 eggs. A female gnat can lay up to 1000 eggs in its lifetime.

1.2 Control

Adult non-biting gnats can cause severe plant damage while they are in large numbers. They can alter the growth of the plant and damage its roots. If they are fewer or single, they do not harm the plants. If the species are controlled at early stages, it is possible to limit their population.

Preventing favorable conditions, removing the decaying organic matter, controlling the moisture, and not allowing pools of water can be practical steps to control their growth.     

1.3 Types of Gnats  

All types of gnats are not harmful to humans. However, some species are known to spread disease and risk human health. Gnats are flying pests, and they do not leave their eggs unattended. Therefore, one must understand this to get rid of them.

• Fungus or Houseplant Gnats – Fungus gnat is the most common species of about 1000 species around. They are also known as winter gnats and are 1/6 to 1/8 inch in size. Adults have long, grayish-black legs and transparent or gray wings with visible veins. They feed on fungi and the roots of plants.
  
  Fungus gnat eggs are smooth, shiny white, oval, and challenging to locate. During the larvae stage, they do not have legs and appear white and thread-like. They reproduce in homes in warm conditions and live up to a month. The females fly around windows and lamps due to light\’s attraction. They lay up to 300 eggs that take three days to hatch.

• Drain Flies – Drain flies can grow up to 5 mm long. They are 4-10 mm long in the larval stage but have no legs or eyes. With a dark stripe on the dorsal area, they have a breathing tube. While sitting, they fold their wings over their bodies.
  
  As the name suggests, the drain flies hang out on drains and sewage and can block pipes because of the filth they collect while living there. They reproduce in drains and sewers or on any decaying matter they find to live on. It takes three days to mature. They live in large numbers; however, they are not known to spread disease in humans though they carry bacteria.
  
  
• Midges – These are biting species, and they live in swampy areas. They extract blood from whoever they bite. The non-biting midges, chironomids, look similar to mosquitoes. The adults are gray and about 1/8 inch in length.
  
  Females have long beaks through which they extract blood while biting. They have segmented antennae. They are aquatic and like to live in fast-flowing streams and deep lakes. They halt the development in the fall and winter. Adult midges feed on sugary substances and nectar and die in five days. Their cycle from egg to adult lasts about three weeks in warm weather.

• Sand Flies – Sand gnats grow about 1/8 to 1/10 inch. They are called sandflies because of their sandy color. They have big black eyes and thick hair on their body and legs. They prefer the humid environment of a dry area because that protects their eggs.
  
  Females feed on blood before laying eggs. However, both males and females feed on sugary substances from plant nectar. Some species are known to feed on reptiles and mammals too. Their life cycle is 20-40 days, of which 1-2 weeks are spent hatching the eggs. Pupae become an adult in 10 days. Some sandflies cause disease in humans.

Unique-Headed Bug – Unique-headed bugs have around 130 species, also called gnat bugs. These small creatures grow 4 mm long with elongated heads constricted at places.

They are found under litter, bars, and rocks and may swarm in sunny woodlands too. Their proboscis and antennae have four joints. The front legs catch the prey and have very different membranous membranes of thick base areas. Most of these gnats have a life cycle of fewer than four weeks.

Buffalo Gnats – Buffalo gnats, also called turkey gnats or black flies, grow 1/8 inch. Females bite birds and humans, but males feed only on nectar. They are seen in late spring or early summer.

 Buffalo gnats are tan, gray, or green and breed in fast-moving streams and rivers. They live just 2-3 weeks and are drawn to moving objects. Outside, they are a nuisance to people. They bite around the neck and head and can even kill animals through their aggressiveness. Chicken can die of suffocation due to their clog on the respiratory tract.

• Gall Gnats – Gall gnats cause infection and interrupt plant growth. They inject their larvae into plant sap for nourishment, adversely affecting the plants.
  
  The gall gnats mosquito look alike but are non-biting. The hair on their body and wings sheds quickly, and they have a main cross-vein with multiple longitudinal veins. The eggs often have bright red or yellow shades and hatch in tapered maggots. The pupa is always in a silk cocoon. Adult females eat animal sweat, pus secretions, and blood to provide proteins to their eggs. In 3 days, females can produce around 400 eggs.
  
  
• Hessian Fly – Reportedly, the hessian flies came from Europe with hessian soldiers. During their larvae stage, these species live in wheat. It is understood that millions of dollars worth of wheat crops are damaged by hessian flies every year.
  
  Initially, these gnats feed on the seed, and once fully grown, they come out of closed florets. They creep out of the plant till they fall on the ground to form hard and ovular cocoons. The pale orange pupa becomes a hessian adult fly in about ten days. They come in large numbers to feed on white clover and destroy the crop in the US.

• Eye Gnats – Eye gnats are also called grass flies. They fly around the face of humans and animals because of the secretion they smell and like. This is the reason they are known to spread pink eye.
  
  Based on the moisture, temperature, and food availability, their life cycle changes, but commonly, it is 28 days. The adult female feed on blood, sweat, and secretion to provide protein to the larvae ad pupa. Females lay 400 eggs in 2-3 days. 

Any small bug flying around may not necessarily be a gnat. The three most common types of gnats are fungus gnats, fruit flies, and drain flies. These three are often seen around houses, buildings, offices, and factories (especially food units).

• Fruit flies – Fruit flies are brown with red eyes and more round in shape. They are mostly observed in kitchens. They will not be active in the areas where they do not get food.
  
  To get rid of them, one must follow the procedure of washing fruits and vegetables properly before taking them for preparation. These may contain very tiny eggs entangled within them.

• Drain flies – Drain flies have wings like moths. They can always be found around the drains and sewage. Drain flies prefer bacteria, sewage, and dirt in your drain, garbage, and toilets that are not used regularly. To avoid drain flies, care must be taken to have a clean and free-flow drain to avoid stagnant water.    
  
  
• Fungus gnats – Fungus gnats have long legs and are black in color. They can be specifically found near potted plants. Fungus gnats like humid and moist places. If you are overwatering the potted plants, you invite the fungus gnats. If the potted plant is long-serving, replacing the pots with new soil is a good idea.    

2. How to Get Rid of Indoor Gnats?

If you want to get rid of an indoor infestation of gnats, first, you need to learn the types of gnats and their habitats. It will be quite easier to take the necessary actions if you know the types of gnats contaminating your house. If you know what you are dealing with, then only you can find the best solution to get rid of them.

There are many easy ways to control the pests in the house. If you are making a bit extra effort to keep your house in top condition, you will seldom face the insect infestation problem. A neat and clean house where all things are mannerly arranged will rarely have the invasion of pests and insects.

Another important thing is how your awareness of various bugs and their habitats. If you have a gnat infestation, then what is needed to be done? All these things matter, as when you know, you can take the necessary steps to get rid of or avoid their recurrence.

Though the life cycle of gnats is known to be short, they can create a nuisance in your house till they are alive. You can study some following methods to get rid of them.

2.1 Natural Home Remedies to Get Rid of Indoor Gnats

1. Soap and Water mixture –

Add a few drops of dish wash soap to a cup of water. Spray this on the observed places of activity to kill larvae. The procedure must be repeated after a few days to confirm the complete elimination of larvae.

• Vinegar – Add two tablespoons of vinegar to one-liter water. Add one tablespoon of sugar and a few drops of dish wash. The smell will lure the insect to the solution, but because it\’s soapy, it will drown instead.

• Wine – As gnats are attracted to sugary, fermented beverages, put wine in a glass and add little dish wash soap. The gnats are bound to come to have a taste, but they will get trapped in a solution containing a dash of soap.

• Bleaching Powder – Mix a little bleaching powder with water and pour it along the corners to only affect the target pest. Wear protective gloves while making and pouring this liquid, as it is hazardous.

• Plastic Wrap trap – What attracts them can be used to trap them. They like rotten fruits, and you can use them to catch gnats.
  
  In a container, put mashed rotten fruit and cover the container with plastic wrap. Puncture small enough holes in this plastic so that gnats can enter, but they cannot come out again.

• Homemade spray – Use a homemade spray with a mixture of a cup of water, a few drops of dish soap, and one tablespoon of vinegar. Spray the solution directly on the gnats if you see them around. The advantage is that this solution is harmless to indoor plants.

• Potato chunks – The raw potato will attract the gnats as they think it is a plant root. This will also drive them away from plants, and potatoes will trap the larvae away from roots.
  
  Once infested, you can replace the potato chunks.

• Gnatrol or BTI – This naturally occurring fungus is toxic to gnat larvae. Apply this frequently over the potted plant to control gnats. It is non-toxic to humans.

• Candle trap – Fill the candle stand with water while a candle is placed in it. Light the candles and turn off the room lights. The gnats fly to the candle and either get burned or drowned in water.

1. Apple cider vinegar trap – Mix a few drops of apple cider vinegar, a few drops of dish wash, and a tablespoon of sugar and place in a container at places where gnats are seen. You can place this in the bathroom, kitchen, or potted plants.
   
   Because of soap in the solution, they will get drowned when they come for sugar.  

2.2 How to Get Rid of Gnats with Pets in House?

The indoor gnat infestation can be a worry for your pets in the house. They can be very irritating to them and can make them itchy and annoyed. They will swarm around the pets and hide in their fur. If you want to keep your pets pest-free, you have to control the gnats outside of your house.

If gnats are already inside, find their breeding spot and destroy it. Do not allow anything in the house to attract them indoors. You can also opt to have a gnat repellent which can be applied on the body of the pets. There are such pet-specific sprays available in the market.

Taking care of what attracts gnats indoors will also help to change the type of lights you are using in the house; clearing the garbage promptly and not allowing waterlogging in the house can be effective measures to protect your pets from gnats.

If you are doing chemical treatment for gnat infestation in the house, you must be aware of the product you are using. If it is harmful to pets, then knowing what precautions to be taken to keep your pets away from accidental ingestion is necessary. If the product is a pesticide, it may harm the pet, so it is always used where the pets won\’t be going or resting.

Some chemicals like boric acid may be low risk to pets, but there is some limit to how much to use. If you are using too much quantity, it may harm the pets because of consuming it.

2.3 Chemical Treatment to Get Rid of Indoor and Outdoor Gnats  

What chemicals can be used to get rid of indoor gnats? One has to make sure that the chemicals are out of reach of children and pets don\’t swallow them.

1. Pyrethrin Insecticide – It contains an extract of 2% and is also approved by many regulatory authorities. It is effective for both indoor and outdoor applications.

This chemical has been dubbed the best in the industry in getting rid of gnats indoors and outdoors.

3. How to Get Rid of Outdoor Gnats?

If you want to get rid of or prevent the gnats from coming to your place, you can follow the simple things given below –

• Do not let any food lying outside.
• Avoid overwatering the plants.
• Keep the top layer of soil decay-free
• Fix the leaky pipes
• Cover the garbage can tightly.

3.1 Natural Home Remedies to Get Rid of Outdoor Gnats  

1. Sand or Gravel – Gnats lay their eggs only about an inch on top of the soil. Replacing this top with sand and gravel will create a dry atmosphere for them. Hence, they won\’t lay the eggs there.

• Dispose of the soil – By not keeping any soil in the area, you can prevent even the little risk of gnat infestation. Instead of working on pets, this is the better option.

• Watering from the bottom – This will prevent the top side of your soil from getting watery and discourage the gnats from laying eggs on your property.

• Remove dog waste – Do not leave any dog waste lying, as it will immediately attract the gnats around it.
  
  
• Change light arrangement – The insects get attracted by bright white or incandescent light. This is like an invitation to them. Hence, you need to manage your lights with LED-type warm lighting. The LED emits a yellow hue which is known to be a bug-repellent.

• Clear garbage – It is very important that you remove all the rubbish around your house on regular basis. This will prevent the food waste as well as smelly substances from attracting the gnats around it.
  
  Food waste with sugary substances particularly needs to be taken care of.

• Insect traps – If you want to try a quick method, you can place some insect traps where your feel gnat activity is more. This will trap the gnats fast if you place a small fruit part on it. This is not a long-term method but will allow you to control lesser gnat infestation.

• Essential oil repellents – Numerous essential oils are natural insect repellents and are very effective. This includes cinnamon, citronella, lavender, clove, and many others. You just need to mix it with water in appropriate proportion and spray around to get very effective results.
  
  Since they possess a strong odor, the insects hate the smell and usually keep away from your place.    
  
  

3.2 How to Get Rid of Gnats in Your Yard?

If you experience a gnat infestation in your yard, you need to make a proper inspection to find out the reason and the source of their entry. If you properly audit the yard area, it will be easier to chalk out the perfect plant to get rid of gnats and prevent them from coming back.

Usually, our yard area is the one that remains unattended most of the time. Moreover, we dump a lot of material there and forget about it later. If you take care of this material, clear your yard once, and maintain it thereafter, you should be able to keep the gnats away from your yard.

Also, you can try the following things which can help you to do so –

• Find out the entry point of fungus gnats
• Trap them with the vinegar treatment
• Use strong smell materials to repel them
• Use gnat traps
• Use candles and Tiki torches method
• Plant the gnat-repelling trees or plants
• Use bug zapper

4. How to Get Rid of Gnats from Trees?

The fungus gnats are the creatures you will find most around the trees. They are specifically attracted to fruit plants. Though these plants give you freshness and fruits, maintaining them pest-free, is the major hurdle one always faces.

Fungus gnats are the most annoying and irritating pests that can damage trees. They like damp places and decaying vegetation. These gnats feed their larvae on the roots of fruit trees, which will stop the plant\’s growth and result in yellow leaves instead of green.

This, thus, disturbs the environment, and additionally, they spread pathogens that cause serious diseases to plants.

4.1 Simple Ways to Get Rid of Gnats from Trees   

There are many pesticide products specially made to be used for plantation. Such products are safe to apply on trees, and they will not have any negative impact on them. One can easily use these products per the label\’s guidelines and make your trees free from gnats.

However, they can be controlled biologically. There is a bacterium insecticide called Bacillus thuringiensis, which is known to control gnat larvae without harming beneficial insects. This insecticide is not toxic to bees, fish, and birds, while it is sprayed on the foliage of fruit trees and hits specific pests. Nematodes also kill fungus gnats and can be used as soil drench where fruit trees are infested.

5. How to Find Gnat Nests?

Where there is moisture and decaying organic material, the chances are high that you will find gnats there. This particularly is true during winter as the conditions are moist and damp. The gnats won\’t live in a place we call a nesting spot. Instead, they breed where waste fruit or decaying matter is lying.

They also lay eggs in damp soil and water outdoors. They enter the houses in search of food and reproduce. Once they find a favorable place and food, they will start their activity. Moist grounds, fruits, vegetables, decaying material, humans, and pets are the places where they can have their food and shelter.

You can also find them near the house\’s lights indoors and outdoors since they are poor fliers in the dark.

6. How to Treat Gnat Bites?

It is common to have gnats flying around your face and on your property. When it comes to biting, the gnats are of two types: biting and non-biting. Usually, gnats look like mosquitoes. The bite symptoms are caused due to gnat saliva, and they are minor.

The gnat bite will produce a bump that is

• Red
• Small
• Very itchy
• Painful, and
• Swollen

You might observe bleeding at the place of the bite. The treatment for gnat bite is very simple as follows –

1. Soap and water – Mildly wash the bite with cool water and soap. Pat lightly to dry and soothe the irritation.
2. Cold-compress – This will ease irritation, and you can use a soaked, cold towel, ice pack, ice cubes, or frozen bags for at least 10 minutes to get maximum effect.
3. Anti-itch cream – Apply a thin layer of hydrocortisone cream to the bite area. One can also use calamine lotion to soothe the area.
4. Antihistamines – It treats the allergic reaction of the bite. It provides relief from irritation and itchiness.

FAQs

How to Get Rid of Gnats under Pavers?

If they are hiding under pavers, one can use sticky pads to catch the gnats. You can hang the small pads nearby and get the gnats caught.

How to Get Rid of Gnats Around Pool?

A vinegar-soap trap around the pool can be a better solution as the gnats falling in the pool can contaminate the water.

How to Get Rid of Gnats with Wings?

Placing the sticky traps along the walls and windows can work well to catch the gnats. The gnats fly around the light, so one can also place dip solution under those lights where gnats can fall and drown in water.

How to Get Rid of Giant Gnats?

Gnats are very small creatures, the biggest of their size, maybe even small for us. However, the gnats can be devoid of food and shelter by keeping the areas neat and dry.

How to Get Rid of Gnats under Carpet?

Gnats are very small, so one must use a vacuum to get them out of the carpet. Vacuuming can effectively clean the carpet of any insects.

How Vegans Get Rid of Gnats?

Vegans can shove them away from the house by trapping them on the strip pads. But gnats can\’t live after they get caught on the sticky surface.

How to Get Rid of Gnats in Refrigerator?

Using a light bleach solution to clean the refrigerator. It will help to prevent the gnats from coming there.