Effective Ways to Make Gnats Go Away: A Complete Action Plan

Dealing with a gnat outbreak at home is frustrating, but the good news is you have multiple proven solutions at your disposal. Gnats—including fruit flies, drain flies, and fungus gnats—are small pests that reproduce rapidly, making quick action essential. The key is attacking the problem systematically and eliminating every single one. Your best approach depends on infestation severity, available time, materials on hand, and budget.

Start Simple: DIY Trap Methods

The easiest way to make gnats go away is setting trap stations around your home. Begin with the apple cider vinegar approach: combine a few tablespoons of vinegar with equal parts dish soap in a shallow bowl, then add a tablespoon of sugar. The vinegar and sugar lure gnats in while the soap traps and drowns them. Place this where gnats congregate most—typically the kitchen.

Alternative trap options work equally well. Mix red wine with dish soap for a similar effect, or use overripe fruit (bananas are particularly effective). Mash the fruit in a jar, cover with plastic wrap, and poke small holes to trap incoming gnats. For a more creative solution, try the candle method: position a lit candle in a candlestick over shallow water. Gnats attracted to the flame either burn or fall into the water below. Severe infestations may require multiple traps positioned throughout your home.

Target Drain Areas Directly

When gnats cluster around sinks and drains, traps alone won’t suffice. For drain-based infestations, dilute half a cup of bleach in a gallon of water and pour it slowly down affected drains. Repeat as necessary until gnats disappear completely.

Quick Spray Intervention

If you’re only dealing with a handful of gnats, a spray bottle solution offers immediate relief. Mix one cup of water with a tablespoon of vinegar and a bit of dish soap, then spray directly at gnats as you spot them flying around.

Professional Help for Persistent Problems

When your gnat situation returns repeatedly or resists home treatments, professional pest control becomes the logical next step. Licensed specialists target gnat larvae at their source and develop customized treatment plans tailored to your infestation’s scope. Expect this service to cost between $500 and $700, depending on your location and severity.

Preventing Gnats From Returning

Once you successfully make gnats go away, protect your home from future invasions. Clean up food and beverages immediately after meals, dispose of trash nightly in sealed containers, and reduce plant watering frequency (gnats thrive in soil moisture). Store fruit in the refrigerator rather than on counters, since exposed produce attracts these pests.

By combining prevention habits with swift action, you can keep your home gnat-free long-term.