How to Get Rid of Gnats

December 20th, 2008 Posted in Gnats







Gnats are “gnasty” little bugs that fly into your face, it seems, just to annoy the heck out of you. They’re annoying outside, but even more annoying in your home.

This article explains:

  • House gnats - what does a gnat look like?
  • Gnats infestation - where do gnats come from?
  • Gnat control
  • How to get rid of gnats

House Gnats - What Does a Gnat Look Like?

“Gnat” is a colloquial term for flies that are smaller than the common house fly, which are 1/4″ long on average. Like the common house fly, all gnats are “true flies,” which means they have one pair of wings, instead of two pairs, like dragonflies do.

Fungus gnats

  • Look similar to a small mosquito and are generally found around potted plants.
  • About 1/8″ long
  • Grayish to black in color
  • Clear or smoky wings
  • Long-legged
  • Thread-like antennae
  • Looks like a small mosquito

Drain flies

You don’t want these guys around, because they are likely the most commonly found insect in sewage treatment plants…gross!

  • About 1/8″ long
  • Dark gray to black in color
  • Thorax and wings covered with gray hair
  • Wings lie flat on their abdomen when at rest
  • Commonly found in bathrooms
  • Also called the “moth fly,” because it looks like a tiny, hairy moth

Phorid flies

Also known as humpback flies, phorid flies are very small (or minute) flies that resemble fruit flies in appearance.

  • About 1/8″ long
  • Tan to dark brown in color
  • Usually running around rather than flying
  • Also known as “humpbacked flies,” because their thorax is arched

Black fly

Also known as buffalo gnats, black flies are blood-suckers that prey on anything from humans to livestock, since a blood meal is necessary for females to produce eggs.

  • About 1/8″ long
  • Black, gray or yellow in color
  • Clear wings without hairs or scales
  • Short, segmented antennae
  • Large round eyes
  • Humpbacked appearance

Gnat bites

Black fly bites can cause itchiness for about a week, but can be more serious for some according to University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign studies.

Usual symptoms are like that of a mosquito bite, which include pain, itching and swelling. Some people are allergic and a single bite can cause serious complications, so medical attention is necessary.

Keep pets safe by keeping them indoors as much as possible during the day, since black flies are daytime, outdoor pests. Black fly bites can actually kill animals from “toxic shock” when they’re bitten by large numbers of gnats. Some gnats transmit a parasite, called leukocytozoon, that affects poultry.

June is peak black fly season, and these gnats tend to bite people on their upper bodies and/or heads during the day; but if you plan to spend time outdoors on a sunny, June day, there are steps you can take to avoid bites:

  • Wear light colored clothing that covers your skin.
  • Minimize gaps in holes created by buttons by layering.
  • Apply insect repellent - there are times when gnats will bite regardless, however.

Gnats Infestation - Where do gnats come from?

Before you begin controlling and eliminating these pests, you must first identify what type of gnat it is, then you can begin to locate where the gnats are breeding. You can do this by checking out typical breeding grounds depending on the type.

Fungus gnats:

The name “fungus gnats” speaks for itself; these gnats live in fungus that thrives off of decaying plant material. So check out your plants.

Drain flies:

Drain fly larvae live in the wet slime on your kitchen or bathroom floor and in your sinks and toilet drains.

Phorid flies:

These flies infest wet garbage and sewage, and if the conditions are right, these babies build up huge populations fast.

Black flies:

Black fly larvae can be found in small bodies of running water, like streams.

Gnat Control

Gnats can be controlled and/or prevented by the following means, as broken down by type:

Fungus gnats:

  • Water plant(s) less frequently.
  • Remove old plant material from in and around plants in a home or greenhouse.

Drain flies:

  • Scrub drain pipes with a stiff brush to remove all slime.
  • Pour hot water down the drain for temporary control - larvae can trap air bubbles and remain submerged for at least a day.
  • Clean your garbage can and under appliances, like your refrigerator and microwave.

Phorid flies:

  • Clean floor drains regularly with a drain cleaner; bleach does not work.
  • Wash garbage cans.
  • Sanitize floor mops and change mop sponges regularly.

Black flies:

  • Remove vegetation in small bodies of running water, like streams, to cut down larvae populations.
  • Dam running water, since immature gnats need swift, flowing water and will die in standing water.

How to Get Rid of Gnats

For any of the gnats discussed in this article, the following solutions can help you find the best way on how to kill gnats.
E - Exclusion

  • Keep doors, windows and vents shut as often as possible.
  • Seal any cracks around entry points.
  • Screen windows and doors.
  • Install air curtains that blow air (and gnats) away from doorways.

C - Chemical control

  • Place pesticide-releasing fly strips in unoccupied, enclosed room.
  • Apply residual pesticides to outdoor surfaces.
  • Bait with a pesticide formulation for outdoor fly control.

O - Organic spray

  • Spray an environmentally-friendly spray on target.
  • Watch the knock-down power:

S - Sanitation

  • Keep trash in bags in sealed containers.
  • Clean dumpsters and trash receptacles.

M - Mechanical control

  • Smash with a fly swatter.
  • Trap them with sticky fly paper.

A - Attracting material

  • Identify type of fly involved.
  • Inspect area for specific type of gnat breeding sites.
  • Locate attracting material.

R - Remove

  • Discard attracting material.
  • Empy trash regularly.
  • Remove manure and decaying plant and animal material from around home.
  • Eliminate excessive moisture.

T - Try together or alone

The aforementioned suggestions can work alone, but can also be integrated to work more effectively.

You may want to try one solution, like the organic spray, first and see if any more steps need to be taken. EcoSMART’s Flying Insect Spray is an organic insecticide that the EPA classifies as minimum-risk. It is safe for use around pets and children, while still being effective as tested by Universities.

Try EcoSMART products to get rid of gnats now!

Author, Kara Arnold

  1. Comment and Win a Free Can of EcoSMART to “How to Get Rid of Gnats”

  2. By frank zwirba on Dec 21, 2008

    Can anyone help me with FLEA`S..My cat and apartment have flea`s and can`t find anything to completly beat them and get rid of them..I bath my cats, 10,000 fleas fall off. Then an hour later there`s still 10,000 more fleas on them.What the (beep) can i do..also don`t know where to post this question, thats why i`ve posted here..Didn`t know what else to do..Can anyone help me.?? pittsfieldfrank at yahoo

  3. By fran on Dec 21, 2008

    they hate cigarette smoke and will usually leave a smoke filled room, they use tobbacco smoke to get rid of bugs in the greenhouses

  4. By gene on Dec 21, 2008

    wow this was very helpful! i always get those nasty drain gnats during the summer. There’re so annoying!

  5. By Steven on Dec 21, 2008

    We have gnats that seem to be attracted to fruit and other food. They bother us mostly when we are eating. Our drains are clean and we have only four houseplants that receive infrequent watering. Our garbage is kept in the garage and we have no running water close by. Any other ideas where they may be breeding?

  6. By Jennifer Krohn on Dec 21, 2008

    Uggh, I HATE these little suckers! I am glad that for now they seem to be gone for the season. We hung flypaper and constantly cleaned our drains with bleach but it was still a battle to fight off these intruders.

    Next time I’ll consider grabbing a can of ecoSmart.

  7. By Catherine Bishop on Dec 22, 2008

    I get ants an other flying bugs but where I live I have a creek running by my house and I don’t want bad cems. going in to it. I was even told by fish and game that I can’t use weed killer because of the harm it does to the creek. Please help It does get larvy for misqutioes in it at times.

  8. By Helena Wombles on Dec 22, 2008

    I have these gnats that fly around the house all the time, people tell me they are from my garbage disposal. I keep it as clean as I know how, but still they remain. How can I get rid of these? Spray your solution in my drain? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

  9. By Blair on Dec 22, 2008

    We have gnats that hover around the screen door of our home. They are a pain.

  10. By EcoSMART Kara on Dec 23, 2008

    Dear Frank,

    I just finished an article about fleas, but can’t post it yet! Cleaning your pet is just the first step. He/she is probably getting reinfested from the environment. Vacuum at least weekly, especially in areas in which he/she frequents, to get rid of flea eggs and fleas.

    Also, since you have cats, be sure to sanitize higher areas, like above the refrigerator.

    Hope that helps!

  11. By EcoSMART Kara on Dec 23, 2008

    Dear Steven,

    It sounds to me like you have fruit flies. For more information, visit another article on the blog:

    http://blog.ecosmart.com/index.php/2008/08/30/getting-fruit-flies-out-of-the-kitchen/

    Hope that helps!

  12. By Rachel on Dec 29, 2008

    Nice article. Visit my website for more interesting house related things. :)

  13. By Koken on Jan 1, 2009

    We have an apple tree in the back and especially when it started producing fruits we started seeing some gnats and we’ve tried many products and some seemed to work for few days and they come back again. I am really concerned about it because I don’t like to use chemicals as much as possible in our home.

  14. By Rashelle on Jan 6, 2009

    Thank you this is useful. Gnats are horrible here in Georgia during the summer. I play soccer and once I start breaking a sweat they will not leave me alone no matter how much bug repellent I put on it seems.

  15. By Barbara York on Jan 6, 2009

    I hope to save a lot of money on fruit this year. When I see knats in my kitchen I through out all the fruit in my fruit bowls.

  16. By Angie Campbell on Jan 7, 2009

    I hate those drain flies! Thanks for this article, some useful tips to keep in mind!

  17. By shannon on Jan 7, 2009

    i found out about this product via the healthychild.org newsletter i received. i live in the south - a lot of pests! - with two small children and an allergy to fireants. i look forward to trying these safe products.

  18. By Greg on Jan 10, 2009

    According to our Vet, Frontline is not working in our area for flea control. Seems the critters built up a restistance to it, so they are changing to a different product. Our dogs are happy with the new product.

    The carbon dioxide skeet traps work great in controlling the flying blood suckers.

  19. By Seth on Jan 11, 2009

    This has been very helpful as my house has recently been invaded by little plant gnats that we have tried everything to get rid of!

  20. By Christina on Jan 12, 2009

    I have gnats from a plant I have even changed the dirt to a more expensive dirt no luck. I had two plants but the dog ate 1 but the last one has so many they are all over the house every single floor has them. I need something safe as I am pregnant have a dumb dog and a 7 year old.
    Christina

  21. By jodi on Jan 13, 2009

    I had good success with gnats by filling shallow bowls with apple cider vinegar and a squirt of dish soap, they were attracted to the smell (like fruit on the counter) and drowned in the bowls. It was gross to see them in the dish, but a least they are gone…so far Hope this helps…

  22. By shannon C on Jan 13, 2009

    We found (and finally fixed) a slow leaking tub drain. We had to cut into the above ceiling to fix… and now we have gnats everywhere!! Thanks for the tips.

  23. By kendall on Jan 13, 2009

    I have so many of these stupid fungus gnats from some Ivy my husband brought home one day. Tried alot of different things, hoping to get a bottle of ecosmart soon. Do you know if it’s harmful to seedlings and delicate tropical plants?

  24. By Alyson David on Jan 14, 2009

    Use borax sprinkled on the carpet, let set an hour then vaccum to get rid of fleas indoors.

  25. By pdnm on Jan 15, 2009

    I also get those gnats. Hate those insects! Some good ideas on here and will try.

  26. By erik johnson on Jan 16, 2009

    this is an excellent site i see it growing really fast in the future there on the cutting edge of what people want and need, i signed up for a sample of there products to see how they actually work ill be getting back to you with the results once they arrive

  27. By Neil Manning on Jan 16, 2009

    Because my family is pretty much allergic to chemicals we have yet to find an eco-friendly/people friendly way to get rid of flying critters and cat fleas. The kids are especially sensitive to the stuff most stores sell. It is really annoying to have to put up with bugs because of sensitivity.

  28. By Beverley Rabidoux on Jan 17, 2009

    I have used apple cider vinegar and dish soap in a little cup and this attracts them and kills them, but I would like to not have them in the first place!

  29. By James on Jan 19, 2009

    ugh…those pests are nasty…looking forward to trying this pest spray

  30. By Kim Williams Venice,Ca on Jan 21, 2009

    This is a great product that should revolutionize the insect repellent industry!

  31. By Mario Salazar on Jan 23, 2009

    Hi, i have a lot of bugs in my garden and i’m afraid they will bite my new puppy. I have ants, rouches, flys, mosquitoes, snails, spiders, and some other i cant name. Can you recomend me a product and can i get a free sample? Thanks

  32. By Jeannie on Jan 25, 2009

    I live near the beach and have a serious problem with gnats, flies, and fleas! I treat the yard, house, and pets, but still can’t seem to conquer the BUGS! My dogs are allergic to fleas, and go into fits because of the flies and gnats. The extreme amount of chemicals I have to use, to no avail, can’t be healthy for my pets. HELP!

  33. By EcoSMART Kara on Jan 26, 2009

    I recommend EcoSMART’s Flying Insect Killer for flying pests and EcoSMART’s Ant and Roach Killer for crawling pests. Both are safe to use indoors and outdoors. Try EcoSMART for free! Fill out a survey to be eligible for a free can and/or post a comment on the giveaway page to win!

  34. By Barbara Platt on Jan 28, 2009

    Thanks for the lessons. I have learned so much from reading this story. I plan to try EcoSMART’s Flying Insect Spray.

  35. By EcoSMART Kara on Jan 28, 2009

    Glad you learned a lot…please, let us know what you think of the spray once you try it!

  36. By Gloria on Jan 31, 2009

    Gnats can be such a problem for me in the summer. I don’t have a big problem with gnats now, but I do have wasps coming into my home. So far I’ve used the spray on the wasp and works well, but the residue the spray leaves behind is so slippery. I can’t wait to use the spray on the gnats.

  37. By EcoSMART Kara on Feb 2, 2009

    Gloria, thanks for sharing your positive experience with EcoSMART!

  38. By Shannon W. on Feb 18, 2009

    I finally have a nice big yard so I planted a vegetable garden in the back and many, many bulbs and bushes in the front. I am disabled and have found a way to enjoy my days by gardening. It seems that my most productive crop has been bugs! My vegetables grew really good until the bugs ate most of them. Also, in the front yard the black flies nearly ate me alive last summer. I sat and watched from my window as the gnats took over my yard! I have asthma, so chemical sprays usually don’t work for me. I am really anxious to try something eco-friendly that will actually work. Also, thanks for settling the argument between my husband and I that gnats and black flies are the same thing!

  39. By EcoSMART Kara on Feb 20, 2009

    Always glad to settle an argument.

  40. By Joshua Johnson on Feb 22, 2009

    I have a small gnat infestation that came with a house plant that my mother gave to me. I plan on taking your advice on how to get rid of them. I will let you know if I have any luck!

  41. By EcoSMART Kara on Feb 25, 2009

    Joshua Johnson,

    Same thing happened to me when my mom gave me a plant! Check out “How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats” for more in depth information on exterminating these guys.

  42. By betty colburn on Mar 4, 2009

    Thanks this was very helpful!

  43. By EcoSMART Alyse on Mar 4, 2009

    Betty Colburn,

    Glad to help!

  44. By mary webb on May 6, 2009

    thanks for all the info. very comprehensive. i finally saw where my plants were. i found a bag of potting soil. tied up the trash. hot watered and soaped the drains and plugged those babies up. tried the hair spray–GLEEFULLY. just put out the vinegar again without covers this time. when we go out tomorrow we’re leaving them a little treat by the lamp. now, instead of fanning them away, we’ll be fanning them toward their great goodnight. by golly i’m going to beat ‘em or die tryin’. thanks a million
    beth

  45. By EcoSMART Kara on May 7, 2009

    Thanks for sharing your entertaining and likely successful gnat-ridding adventure!

  46. By Stephanie on May 19, 2009

    I have tons of these little fungus gnats in my bathrooms. We have no indoor plants whatsoever and have 2 separate pest control companies coming to our house each month. A few weeks ago one of them sprayed inside for these gnats and it didn’t help at all. I spend hours every day killing them while they’re still babies and crawling before they get the chance to fly. We can’t even give our little girls a bath in their tub because there are so many in there! I’ve tried bleach, drano, etc and nothing works. I will try the apple cider vinegar but these bugs are crawling, not flying. I have trapped the few that made it to the flying stage and they are for sure fungus gnats. I think they’re in my walls. What do you recommend? I’m DESPERATE!!! This has been going on for 2 months.

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