Using Vinegar to Get Rid of Gnats

Many people look for effective ways to get rid of gnats because of infestations in their homes. The colloquial word ‘gnat’ actually refers to several different kinds of tiny flying insects that are generally considered household pests. Gnats are also known as fruit flies and vinegar flies due to their attraction to rotten food. They usually infest areas around the trash cans or dirty dishes in the sink. They also seem to prefer moist places such as over-watered plants in pots and sink drains. These warm and damp areas provide gnats with excellent conditions for eating and laying their eggs.

Prevent Infestation

Though these insects are really harmless, they are utterly annoying. And considering the fact that they multiply very quickly, you should take all necessary measures to prevent gnat infestation at your home. For instance, never leave fruits to rotten on the counter, keep your trash cans covered at all times, and dispose of trash regularly. In addition, do not leave dirty dishes in the sink and avoid over-watering indoor plants.

Vinegar Trap

Sometimes despite all preventive measures, getting rid of fruit flies seems like a futile attempt. There are some home remedies which have proven extremely effective for indoor gnat control. The most popular home product in such cases is white vinegar. Setting vinegar traps in potential breeding or feeding grounds will bring the desired results.

Pour vinegar in a jar or any other container with a wide opening at the top, then cut small holes in the lid. Place these traps in and around the problem areas at your home. Gnats, attracted to the smell of the vinegar, will come to the jar or the container and get in without being able to get out. As a matter of fact, a bottle filled with vinegar (in case you have no jars or containers available) would do the job as well. The only problem is that the lid of your bottle trap is quite small, and fewer gnats will be attracted to it. However, this problem may be solved by setting a greater number of the bottle traps around your home.

Alternate Vinegar Trap

Using vinegar, you can set another homemade trap. Pour vinegar in bowls and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Cover the top of the bowl with a layer of plastic wrap, pulled tight, and poke holes in it. Again, attracted to the scent of vinegar, gnats will enter, remain trapped in the liquid, and eventually die. Be sure to place these traps only in the problem areas of your home: the kitchens or damp basements. Otherwise, the fruit flies will be lured into the rest of your house and you will have another problem to solve.

Monitoring these traps, you can determine the area with the highest concentration of gnats and easily locate the source.

Other Methods

If all of the above do not solve the problem of gnat infestation, you may decide to use an insect spray. Read carefully and follow the safety instructions, especially if you have small kids or pets. If the chemical does not help you get rid of the fruit flies, then it is time to call professionals.