Gnats can be a real nuisance, especially in your kitchen. These tiny flying bugs love hanging around food, drains, and trash, making it essential to act fast when you spot them. But don’t worry—you can say goodbye to these pests. Here are 15 easy ways to learn how to get rid of gnats in kitchen easily and keep them away for good.
What Are Gnats?
Gnats are small flying insects that thrive in damp and warm areas. They often show up around rotting food, wet soil, or drains. The most common types of gnats you might see in your kitchen include fruit flies, fungus gnats, and drain flies.
Why Do Gnats Love Kitchens?
Gnats are drawn to kitchens because that’s where they find food and moisture. They hover around fruit, vegetable peels, sugary spills, and even houseplants. A little mess or leftover water in your sink is all they need to make your kitchen their new home.
15 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Kitchen Gnats
Here are simple steps you can take to tackle your gnat problem effectively:
1. Use an Apple Cider Vinegar Trap
Gnats are attracted to the sweet smell of apple cider vinegar. Pour some into a bowl, add a few drops of dish soap, and cover it with plastic wrap. Poke tiny holes in the plastic. The gnats will fly in and get trapped.
2. Boil Water for Drain Flies
If gnats are coming from your sink, pour boiling water down the drain. This kills their eggs and clears out the build-up where they breed.
3. Try Sticky Traps
Place bright yellow sticky traps near problem areas like counters or potted plants. Gnats are attracted to the color and will stick to the traps, keeping them from reproducing.
4. Seal Up Trash Cans
Gnats love trash cans. Use a tight-fitting lid, empty the trash often, and clean the bin to remove food particles.
5. Clean Kitchen Surfaces
Wipe down counters, sinks, and tables daily. Even tiny food crumbs or sticky spills can attract gnats.
6. Dry Out Damp Areas
Gnats lay eggs in moist environments. Use a fan or dehumidifier to dry wet areas like under the sink or around houseplants.
7. Rinse Produce Properly
Fruit flies often come from produce brought into the home. Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly when you get home, focusing on the stems and bottoms.
8. Use a Candle and Dish Soap Trap
Light a candle and place it in the middle of a bowl filled with soapy water. Turn off other lights to attract gnats to the flame; they’ll fall into the water and can’t escape.
9. Bottom Water Your Plants
Overwatered plants are a favorite for fungus gnats. Switch to bottom watering to keep the topsoil dry while still hydrating your greenery.
10. Pour Bleach Down the Drain
To eliminate gnats living in the sink or garbage disposal, pour a mixture of bleach and water (1 part bleach to 3 parts water) directly down the drain.
11. Remove Overripe Fruit
Gnats are drawn to ripening or rotting produce. Keep fruits like bananas and plums in the fridge, or cover them to avoid attracting pests.
12. Try Pine-Scented Cleaners
Gnats dislike the smell of pine. Using a cleaner like Pine-Sol to wipe surfaces can help drive them away.
13. Make a Red Wine Trap
Like apple cider vinegar traps, you can also use red wine. Pour some into a bowl with dish soap, and place it where gnats swarm.
14. Install Blue Light Traps
Blue light traps are another effective option. The light attracts gnats, and the sticky pad traps them.
15. Use Mosquito Bit Tea
If you’re battling fungus gnats, soak mosquito bits in water for a few hours, then use the water to hydrate your plants. This eliminates eggs in the soil.
Read Our Most Recently Published Guides on Gnats:
- Where Do Gnats Come From in the House? Prevention and Treatment Tips
- How to Get Rid of Gnats in House Quickly? Step by Step Process
- How to Get Rid of Gnats Inside the House Quickly? 2025 Step-by-Step InstructionÂ
- How to Get Rid of Plant Gnats Fast? Prevention and Treatment Tips
- How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats in House Fast? Fungus Gnats Treatment Tips
Keep Your Kitchen Gnat-Free
Getting rid of kitchen gnats doesn’t have to be difficult. By following these 15 tips and maintaining a clean, dry environment, you can say goodbye to these annoying pests for good. Pair DIY solutions like vinegar traps and sticky pads with regular cleaning, and you’ll see results in no time. Follow Us on Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter for the latest updates.
FAQs About Getting Rid of Kitchen Gnats
How can I get rid of gnats ASAP?
To eliminate gnats quickly, combine sticky traps with a vinegar or wine trap, clean all surfaces, and pour boiling water or bleach down the drains.
How to permanently get rid of gnats in the kitchen?
Prevent gnat infestations by always keeping counters clean, emptying trash daily, and storing fruits properly. Regularly clean drains and avoid overwatering plants.
What is the best homemade gnat repellent?
The best homemade gnat repellent is apple cider vinegar with dish soap. You can also use red wine, diluted bleach, or even hydrogen peroxide for targeted areas.
What do gnats hate the most?
Gnats dislike strong smells like pine, peppermint, lemon, and cedar. Use essential oils or pine-scented cleaners to repel them.
What scent will keep gnats away?
Essential oils like tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus are all great options. Mix a few drops with water in a spray bottle and spritz areas where gnats are active.
Does Pine-Sol get rid of gnats?
Yes, Pine-Sol works as a repellent. Clean your kitchen surfaces with Pine-Sol to keep gnats away.
Do dryer sheets repel gnats?
Some people use dryer sheets as a natural gnat repellant. Rubbing one along window sills or near infested areas might help.
How long does a gnat infestation last?
If left untreated, gnat infestations can last weeks or even months. Acting quickly with effective traps and cleaning methods can reduce their lifespan to a few days.
Do flies hate Fabuloso?
Yes, flies including gnats dislike the scent of Fabuloso. Cleaning your kitchen with it can deter them.
