Gnats can be a nuisance in your home, they can pose a hygiene risk, contaminate food, damage plants, and generally make daily tasks more unpleasant. They are also prolific breeders, so a gnat infestation can quickly escalate if left unchecked, making it a challenge to eradicate.
Before you call in the professionals, there are several effective DIY gnat traps you can try to get rid of gnats. These solutions are easy to set up with items you likely already have around the house.
Alongside the best home remedies for getting rid of gnats, our pest control experts reveal how you can create your own easy-to-make traps to enjoy a gnat-free home.
How to make 5 DIY gnat traps
'The placement of your DIY gnat traps is key,' says Georgios Liakopoulos, exterminator at Fantastic Pest Control. 'Find out where the gnats are most prevalent, like fruit bowls, garbage bins, or houseplants. This will maximize the effectiveness of the traps.' The best way to do this might be to ask yourself why you have gnats in your house and work from there.
1. Apple cider vinegar trap
The smell of the apple cider vinegar is incredibly attractive to gnats, making this extremely effective bait.
What you'll need:
- Apple cider vinegar
- Dish soap
- Sugar
- A jar or bowl
- Plastic wrap
Follow these steps:
1. Mix the attractant: 'Combine half a cup of apple cider vinegar, a tablespoon of sugar, and a few drops of dish soap in a jar or bowl,' advises John Target owner and founder of Target Pest Control. 'The sugar and vinegar attract the gnats, while the dish soap traps them.'
2. Seal and poke: Cover the jar with plastic wrap and secure it with a rubber band. Then, use a pen or pencil to poke several small holes in the plastic wrap. Gnats will enter through these holes but won’t be able to escape.
3. Placement: Place the trap in areas where you’ve noticed gnat activity or are worried they may target (such as your pantry).
2. Red wine trap
Similar to the vinegar trap, gnats can’t resist the aroma of red wine.
Here's what you'll need to set up this trap:
- Red wine (a cheap one will do)
- Dish soap
- A container (cup/jar)
Follow these steps:
1. Add the ingredients: 'Fill a container with an inch of red wine and add a drop of dish soap. The soap breaks the surface tension, ensuring gnats sink upon contact,' explains Brett Bennett, director of operations, PURCOR Pest.
2. Set the trap: 'Place the container in a gnat-prone area. Leave it overnight and check the results in the morning.'
3. Ripe fruit trap
Use gnats love for overripe fruit against them with this simple trap.
Here's what you'll need:
- Overripe fruit (banana or melon works well)
- Plastic wrap
- A container
Follow these steps:
1. Bait the trap: Place pieces of ripe fruit in a container.
2. Seal and poke: Cover the container with plastic wrap, secure it with a rubber band, and poke small holes on top. The fruit lures them in, and the plastic wrap keeps them trapped.
3. Trap placement: Set your trap where gnats are frequently seen.
4. Sticky trap
If you don't want to make these yourself, you can use these 36 Pcs Sticky Traps, from Amazon.
This method is great for catching gnats without using liquids. This is a great way to get rid of bugs from houseplant soil naturally, since, unlike other methods, it ensures no substances impact the plant's health.
This is what you will need to try this trap:
- Yellow construction paper (gnats are attracted to yellow)
- Honey or syrup
- A popsicle stick or similar for support
Follow these steps:
1. Prepare the sticky surface: 'Coat a piece of yellow construction paper with honey or syrup. The sweet, sticky substance will trap the gnats,' says John Target.
2. Set up the trap: Attach the paper to a popsicle stick or lay it flat in gnat-infested areas.
5. Candle trap
This homemade gnat trap is probably the easiest to set up, but be careful when leaving candles to burn.
What you'll need:
- A candle
- A candlestick
- A plate
- Water
Follow these steps:
1. Prepare the trap: 'Put the candle in the candlestick, put it in the middle of the plate, add some water, and light it,' says Georgios Liakopoulos.
2. Set it: 'Next, turn off your lights and wait. Gnats will start gathering near the flame and will die.'
'Neem oil is a great way to get rid of fungus gnats in houseplants,' says Georgios Liakopoulos. 'Simply dilute some of the oil in water, then apply it to both the soil and plant. Larvae will die in no time.' Also, if you want to check for gnat eggs, females often lay eggs in moist areas like soil or decaying organic matter.
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