Anyone have any suggestions to get rid of gnats?

Question

Can't find a source, but my boyfriend has had a problem with them for the past couple of weeks....any ideas would be appreciated. He has a cat, so bombing is out of the question

Answer 1

We had them bad this summer and we couldn't find an apparent source either. A friend recommended that we try the old time "fly traps". They are cylinder shaped and you pull one end of them and it kinda rolls out to this long, sticky paper and you can tack one end up so it is hanging down (maybe from ceiling or near where gnats are heaviest). They aren't the prettiest things to look at, but they sure do catch the gnats on the sticky surface. We found ours at Wal-mart or, if you have any near where you live, a "farm and home" store. Good Luck!!

Answer 2

Ah yeah. A similar question was asked and answered recently.

Search in the answered questions area for a "fruit files" question (they were really gnats).

Flea bombs is far and away the best way!
It only takes 3 or 4 hours.
Take the cat with you.
Or have him take it with him.
Put the cat in a kennel.
What's the matter? Has this cat no legs?
Is it growing out of the carpet or what?

Ok. I have the old Roach and Flea fogger can I used.
It's only 2 hours and then 30 minutes to air it out...


Other answer was correct in that only chemicals will do it.
But, fly spray and traps will never get them all.
You'll end up having used more chemicals around the house than if you'd have fogged - and you'll still have gnats.

Never heard of vinegar, but I know that alcohol attacks them.
Beer (flatter is better) works. Scotch works great, but yet another recommended Tequila. I haven't had the time or the gnats to see if tequila works.

Put Scotch or Tequilla out of paper plates that you can then spray. They will be insulted with only a paper plate of beer.
Use at least 1/3 of a can in a bowl.

And, flypaper works too.
I could just never get them all hearded onto it.
Perhaps advances in attractents have made a better flytrap.

Answer 3

If you don't want gnats around, you have to cut off their food supply. This means fruits and vegetables have to go in the refrigerator or a bin the bugs can't penetrate. Make sure house plants stay damp, but not wet, and they must have the proper drainage. Gnats just love over-watered house plants. Empty trashcans regularly and don't allow rotting food to sit in the house. Make sure all trash receptacles and sink drains are cleaned thoroughly, and don't have any old rancid food stuck to them. Never let dirty dishes stand in the sink.

Your best recourse is chemicals. The supermarket and hardware stores have several flying insect spray options for you to choose from. Just about any one of these will take care of your gnat problem. Be sure to check the back of the label to make certain it isn't harmful to pets. If your home is experiencing an all-out infestation, you may need to look into a fogging product. This will require you to seal off cabinets and anywhere else food and eating implements are stored. Be sure to take the pets and leave the house for the day.

You can also get rid of gnats by using products found around the home. Since they are attracted to the scent of vinegar, fill a jar with vinegar and poke holes in the lid. The gnats will climb into the jar, but they won't be able to climb out. For those that remain in the house, try putting vegetable oil around your kitchen sink drain. Gnats finding themselves coated in the oil will be unable to breed. If you're not interested in potentially clogging your drain with vegetable oil, pouring a cup of ammonia down your kitchen sink is said to get rid of any flies hovering around that area. Let it sit for a couple of hours before using the sink again.

Gnats are a source of irritation for many, but you don't have to let this happen to you. Dispose of food properly and don't over water your house plants. If gnats do get in the house, act quickly before one or two bugs become an infestation. Save your irritation for something else... like mosquitoes.

Answer 4

Look for pooled water. Are the gnats inside or outside? If outside, seal or screen the house so they can't get in.
If inside, clean the place well using natural cleaners and dry everything you wash.
They'll go away when it gets colder.