Get rid of gnats and fruit flies

Sometimes you'll catch these pesky pests in poorly cleaned drains, trashcans or moist places containing decomposing organic matter.

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  AUSTIN, Texas — As the weather heats up, you may start to see those pesky gnats, fruit flies or whatever you choose to call them.

  According to pest control company, Orkin, the word "gnat" refers to any small, winged insect and the most common gnats in homes are fruit flies or fungus gnats. 

  Where do they come from? Well, Orkin says fruit flies can enter homes through open doors and screens, or as eggs and larvae on produce. Once inside, they eat and develop in over-ripened fruits and vegetables. Sometimes you'll catch them in poorly cleaned drains, trashcans or moist places containing decomposing organic matter. 

  What kind of pest is it?

  There are three common kinds of gnats: fruit flies, drain flies and fungus gnats. Each one looks different from the other and can be found in different places. Fruit flies are brown with red eyes, and typically more round in shape. They're typically found in the kitchen. Drain flies are fuzzy with moth-like wings. They typically congregate around drains. And fungus gnats are black with long legs. They're typically found near potted plants. 

  How do I prevent and get rid of gnats?

  Dealing with these little buggers can be frustrating, so we're here to help you get rid of them. Here are some of the most common tips for getting rid of gnats: 

  • The first step (hopefully) can start with prevention. Orkin advises make sure there are proper exclusion methods such as effective screening to keep them out of the home to begin with; store fruit produce in a manner that makes it unlikely that flies will infest foods, and keep products in the fridge and inside sealed containers; and keep all food containers, sink drains and trashcans clean.
  • If you're already stuck with them, some of the common ways to get rid of a gnat infestation are: 
    • Yellow sticky traps: glue-coated, adhesive paper that attracts gnats with their bright color and then traps them as they land
    • Fruit traps: Some homeowners use a jar of rotting fruit covered with perforated plastic wrap to lure and then trap gnats.
    • Vinegar or red wine traps: Similar to a fruit trap, this option uses the gnats' attraction to these pungent liquids to trap them inside a jar.
    • Apple cider vinegar: In a small bowl, mix a half cup of warm water plus two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, a tablespoon of sugar and about six drops of liquid dish soap. Gnats will be lured in by the sugary mixture, but once they dip in for a drink, the sticky dish soap will trap them. Simply place the bowl with the solution in the areas where you've noticed the most gnats, and wait. 
  • Eliminate their food source: they won't stick around if they don't have anything to feast on. For the time being, put produce in the fridge or inside bins as much as possible. You should also rinse fruits and vegetables as soon as you get home from the store.
  • Call an exterminator: If things get really bad, or if you just don't feel like putting forth the effort on these home remedies, call a professional.

  What about outdoor gnats?

  For these pests, Orkin recommends installing low-voltage, low-light bulbs for your porch. Also, installing a fan may help keep the bugs away.

  As any entomologist would tell you, a gnat is one of many species of tiny, flying insects—biting and non-biting—in the dipterid suborder Nematocera, especially those in the families Mycetophilidae, Anisopodidae and Sciaridae. But you don't need to know any of that, because it won't help with getting rid of them.

  The gnats typically found in and around our homes are commonly called fruit flies, midges, or no-see-ums. Regardless of what you call them, getting rid of gnats can be difficult, but not impossible. Here are a couple of old-school techniques (plus a couple of high-tech options) to try and the tools you'll need to get started:

  How to Get Rid of Gnats Technique #1: Use Fly Paper

  For generations, old-fashioned sticky fly paper has been a trusted way to catch and kill flying bugs, including gnats. Simply hang the sticky paper wherever you see gnats and wait for them to become stuck in the exposed adhesive.

  Traditional ribbon fly paper works well in most areas. But if you’ve got gnats congregating at your windows, try window fly traps. Just stick these rectangular clear plastic sheets to the windowpane, then peel off the protective facing to expose the bug-trapping adhesive.

  How to Get Rid of Gnats Technique #2: Use Rotten Fruit

  How better to trap fruit flies than with fruit? Places several pieces of rotted, over-ripe fruit in a medium-size bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and secure it with a rubber band. Then, use a round toothpick, narrow skewer or similar object to poke several holes in the plastic. The gnats, attracted by the rotting, fermented fruit, will crawl through the holes. But once inside the bowl, they won’t be able to find their way out.

  How to Get Rid of Gnats Technique #3: Use Cider Vinegar

  This proven technique challenges the old adage: you catch more flies with honey than vinegar.

  Into a bowl, add one-half cup of warm water, two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, four to six drops of liquid dish soap, and one tablespoon of sugar. Mix well with a fork until the sugar dissolves and all the ingredients are well blended. Place the bowl anywhere you notice gnats. The scent of the sugar and vinegar will attract the gnats, but once they dip in for a sip, they’ll become trapped by the dish soap.

  

  Bragg Bragg Organic Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider VinegarCredit: Walmart

  

  Dawn Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap

  

  Glad Glad ClingWrap Plastic Food Wrap

  

  Stingmon Sticky Fruit Fly TrapsCredit: Amazon

  

  Terro TERRO Fruit Fly Trap

  

  KATCHY Katchy Indoor Fly Trap

  How to Get Rid of Gnats Technique #4: Use a Wine Trap

  Next time a bottle of wine turns stale or vinegary, don’t dump it. Instead, use it to make a simple gnat trap. This technique is similar to the cider vinegar trap mentioned above. Pour the old wine into a bowl, add a few drops of liquid dish soap, then set the bowl out in the open. For heavy gnat infestation, set out a few wine traps along with some vinegar traps.

  How to Get Rid of Gnats Technique #5: Use a Candle Flame

  This simple tip works well inside and out, especially at night. Put a tall tapered candle into a candlestick; be sure it’s stuck in tightly. Set the candlestick in a shallow pan that’s partially filled with water. Light the candle, turn off and lights, and wait for the gnats to flock to the flame. Any bugs that aren’t instantly incinerated will fall into the water and drown.

  ⚠️ Never leave a burning candle unattended, keep candles well away from children and pets, and don’t place candles near curtains or any other flammable material.

  How to Get Rid of Gnats Technique #6: Use Ultraviolet Light

  Use light—ultraviolet light, that is—to bring gnats to their knees First, UV light-powered indoor fly traps like those by Katchy and FENUN use a Ultraviolet rays to attract the insects. Then, a small fan sucks them down into a chamber and onto a glue board, where they lie trapped for the rest of their days (hours?).

  If you're desperate and have a couple of dollars to spare, these high-tech options can help you avoid the hassle of dealing with gloopy vinegar and soap concoctions. They're clean, quiet and—dare we say it—even kind of stylish. Honestly, we love any machine that'll zap a pest to Kingdom come.

  How to Get Rid of Gnats Technique #7: Combine and Conquer

  Ultimately, if you've got a particularly bad gnat problem, the best course of action may be to combine a couple of different techniques.

  For example, try rolling up a rectangular sheet of fly paper into a cone and slide it into the opening of your wine bottle. (For the best effect, make sure to roll the cone tightly.) Most of the gnats that are attracted to the mixture will get stuck to the paper. Those that somehow slip through will get trapped in the bottle.

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  Joe is a former carpenter and cabinetmaker who writes extensively about remodeling, woodworking, and tool techniques. He has written eight books and is a contributing editor to Popular Mechanics. He also appears on the Today’s Homeowner TV show, and co-hosts the weekly Today’s Homeowner Radio Show. Joe writes from his home in Roxbury, Connecticut. 

  How do you get rid of fruit flies and gnats fast?

  Apple cider vinegar works better than white vinegar for fruit flies because it smells like fermenting fruit. Red wine vinegar will also work, but it tends to be more expensive than ACV. Microwave the mixture for 20 seconds or so to enhance the smell of the vinegar, then place the bowl in an area with a lot of flies.

  What is the fastest way to get rid of gnats?

  Vinegar Traps One method includes setting a bowl near the infestation and pouring apple cider vinegar, a teaspoon of sugar and a teaspoon of dish soap into the bowl. The sugar will attract the gnats, the dish soap will prevent them from escaping and the vinegar will kill them.

  Can you get rid of gnats and fruit flies the same way?

  Traps made from vinegar, wine, or overripe fruit can help trap gnats and fruit flies. Avoid overwatering your plants to keep fungus gnats away.

  What causes fruit flies and gnats in the house?

  How did I get fruit flies? Fruit flies often infest homes with ripe, rotting, or decayed fruit and produce. They also enjoy fermented items such as beer, liquor, and wine. Fruit flies also may breed and develop in drains, garbage disposals, trash cans, and mop buckets.