About Gnat Traps

The beautiful world of nature surrounds us--he trees, the birds, the lush green grass, the... gnats? Gnats tend to be attracted to sweet substances as their food source and nesting grounds. They can appear uninvited around your fresh fruit bowl, your houseplants or the drain. In large numbers and within indoor spaces, gnats can be some of the most annoying pests. To control the development of a gnat infestation--or get rid of an existing one--you can make an environmentally safe, non-toxic gnat trap.

Identification

A common gnat is the fungus gnat, which is related to the sewer fly. It dwelsl in drains and around water. This gnat has a very delicate body, wings, and long legs. Gnats multiply in number very rapidly, as their life cycle lasts only one month.
Gnats lay their eggs around houseplants or even fresh fruit. After these eggs hatch, the larvae emerge and they develop for a couple of days before making a cocoon in the plant soil. This next stage is the pupal stage. One week later, the adult fungus gnat comes out of the cocoon, and the process begins all over again.

Gnat Trap No. 1

Pour baking soda and vinegar, and then boiling water down the sink drain to prevent gnats from coming into the house through the sewer lines. In the warmer months, the sewer environment is very attractive to these gnats, so periodically pour hot water down the drains. Also, use rubber drain plugs to close off the drains when the sinks and tubs are not in use. This will reduce the number of gnats in your home.

Gnat Trap No. 2

Pour one cup of apple cider vinegar in a bowl and add one tablespoon of dish washing soap. Cover it tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, and then punch several holes to allow the gnats to enter the bowl. The gnats will be drawn to the aroma of the apple cider vinegar, but they will not be able to tolerate it. The dish washing liquid will remove the powdery residue from their wings, preventing them from flying back out. When the number of gnats is significantly reduced, discard the solution outside.

Gnat Trap No. 3

Mix a cup of orange juice with a tablespoon of dish washing soap. Again, the sweet smell of the orange juice will attract the gnats, but the soap will inhibit their wings' ability to fly away. Discard of the juice outside when the gnats are all caught.

Another solution to setting an effective gnat trap is to combine a half cup of ammonia, water, balsamic vinegar and something sweet like sugar, syrup or honey, and sit these in high places around the house. This process can be repeated until the house is gnat-free.

Gnat Trap No. 4

Strategically place old drinking water bottles filled with water, apple cider vinegar and soap around your home. The gnats will, again, be drawn to the aroma of the apple cider vinegar, and by placing so many bottles in different locations; you will cut the time in half by catching them in several areas, simultaneously. Discard the solution outside, and recycle the bottles when done.

Gnat Sprays

An effective spray for gnats is a combination of rubbing alcohol and lavender oil. Spray this wherever you find the gnats. Combining neem oil with water and dish soap makes another effective bug spray, as well.

Considerations

Mix water and dish washing soap and pour it in the soil of your house plants. After this, place sliced, fresh garlic cloves on top of the soil to rid it of the gnat infestation.

Wash fresh fruits immediately once you bring them home. This will wash away any existing gnat eggs before they hatch within your home.

Keep a clean house and clean up behind your pets. Do not leave vessels that collect water outside because all types of insects can breed in them, and clean up your garbage. All together, these homemade remedies will rid your home of its gnat problem.