How to Get Rid of Gnats

Imagine you’re in your kitchen trying to cook dinner and your workflow keeps getting interrupted by the sight of tiny black specks flying around the room. Seeing gnats or fruit flies in your home is never a comforting site — so it’s no surprise that you would take measures to remove them. But since they aren’t always that easy to spot (much less catch), how exactly do you get rid of these pesky little bugs?

Getting Rid of Gnats and Fruit Flies

Start at the Source

Before you can get rid of existing gnats, you need to take measures to prevent new ones from appearing. To start, get rid of dirty dishes, standing trash, and any damp areas in your home.

Use Apple Cider Vinegar

In a disposable container, mix together a half cup of warm water, a few drops of dish soap, two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, and a tablespoon of sugar. Place the container near the area you commonly see the gnats, and let it sit there. Not only will the gnats be attracted to the scent of the mixture, but will get stuck in the liquid under the dish soap.

Use Stale Wine

If you have wine that has sat out and become stale, pour some into a disposable container and place it near the afflicted area. You can also add some dish soap to the wine in order to get the flies stuck in the liquid. Pro Tip: The more aromatic the wine, the better chance you may have at catching gnats.

Use Rotten Food

Place a few pieces of rotten food inside a jar and put plastic wrap over the top. Poke a few small holes into that plastic covering and place the jar near the spot where the gnats seem to come from. The flies will get into the jar through the holes, but they won’t figure out how to get back out.

For more tips on keeping your home safe and clean, keep up with our blog. And for all your HVAC, plumbing, and electrical needs, trust the team at Lancaster PHCE

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