Homemade Gnat Spray Recipe - What Can I Spray to Get Rid of Gnats? (2024)

If you’ve noticed that you suddenly have a swarm of tiny flying insects buzzing around your indoor plants and trash cans, it’s safe to say you probably have a gnat problem. Fungus gnats and fruit flies can be a bit of a nuisance, and if not dealt with immediately with a homemade gnat spray, your small problem can quickly turn into a gnat infestation.

These tiny insects are often found, in mass, around houseplants, because the gnat larvae feed on the organic matter until they metamorphosis into adult gnats.

You can significantly reduce their presence in your house by eliminating the conditions that gnats find attractive, as well as using home remedies to kill gnats.

Homemade Gnat Spray Recipe - What Can I Spray to Get Rid of Gnats? (1)

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Table Of Contents

  1. Can I Kill Gnats with Dish Soap?
  2. How Can I Get Rid of Gnats with Vinegar?
  3. What Can I Spray to Keep Flies Away?
    • Recipe for Homemade Gnat Spray

Can I Kill Gnats with Dish Soap?

You can quickly get rid of gnats with a soap spray, by far the best DIY insect killer spray you can find. You can treat the leaves of your plants that are infested with gnats by making homemade insecticidal soap and DIY fungus gnat spray.

Homemade Gnat Spray Recipe - What Can I Spray to Get Rid of Gnats? (2)

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DIY Insecticidal Gnat Spray

  • 2 tablespoons liquid Castile soap
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 gallon of water

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Before your gnat problem will turn into a gnat infestation, add the ingredients to a one-gallon container. Replace the top and shake the bottle to mix. Transfer some of the bug spray into a spray bottle.

Spray the tops and bottoms of the leaves to kill and prevent additional gnats. It may be necessary to repeat the process daily for several weeks to completely rid your house of gnats, but it is an effective gnat control solution.

Use this DIY mosquito spray for your yard, too. It eliminates gnats, mosquitoes, and other unwanted flying insects. It’s also a great fruit fly killer spray. Keep a bottle handy for flying bugs you find in the house.

How Can I Get Rid of Gnats with Vinegar?

One of the best ways to get rid of house flies with vinegar is to create a gnat trap using apple cider vinegar or red wine. Black flies, or gnats, are attracted to the sweet smell of the vinegar.

To trap gnats, pour an inch of apple cider or white vinegar into a small container, like a Mason jar. Add a few drops of dish soap to the liquid. Cover the opening of the jar with plastic wrap and secure it with a rubber band.

Use a toothpick to pierce small holes through the Saran wrap, giving the gnats a way to get to the vinegar trap. When the gnats fly into the container, their wings and legs will become covered with dish soap, leaving them unable to fly back out.

What Can I Spray to Keep Flies Away?

To answer the questionWhat can I spray to keep flies away,” we need to turn to essential oils. Essential oils have long been used to repel insects, including drain flies and gnats. There are several essential oils that you can use in your gnat repellent.

Some of the best gnat repellent on the market contain essential oils. The best essential oils to use to repel gnats are peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary, cedarwood, tea tree, geranium, patchouli, and neem.

Dealing with gnats in and around your home can be incredibly frustrating because of how quickly they reproduce. With these simple gnat repellent solutions you can get your gnat infestation under control and finally rid your home of these pesky flying insects.

Recipe for Homemade Gnat Spray

Homemade Gnat Spray Recipe - What Can I Spray to Get Rid of Gnats? (3)

Homemade Gnat Spray

Yield: 1/2 gallon

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Difficulty: Easy

Get rid of gnats for good with this organic solution.

Materials

  • 1/2 gallon tap water
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper powder
  • 1 tbsp canola or other oil
  • 1 tbsp liquid natural soap

Tools

  • 1/2 gallon container with a lid
  • 16-ounce sprayer
  • Teaspoon
  • Tablespoon

Instructions

  1. Mix the liquids in the container.
  2. Replace the lid and shake to combine.
  3. Pour some of the gnat repellent into the sprayer.
  4. Spritz flying bugs.
  5. Add more liquid to the sprayer as needed.

Notes

Castile is a trusted natural soap.

Homemade Gnat Spray Recipe - What Can I Spray to Get Rid of Gnats? (4)

We hope you enjoyed learning about how to make a homemade gnat spray to take care of the gnat problem in your home. If you found the information useful in this article, please don’t hesitate to share it with your friends and family.

Homemade Gnat Spray Recipe - What Can I Spray to Get Rid of Gnats? (2024)

FAQs

Homemade Gnat Spray Recipe - What Can I Spray to Get Rid of Gnats? ›

Homemade gnat killer spray: A mixture of half a cup of water, half a cup of isopropyl alcohol, and a teaspoon of dish liquid can be filled in a spray bottle. This mixture can be sprayed on the gnats directly to kill them.

What is the best homemade spray for gnats? ›

If you just have a couple scouts checking out the accommodations—as in, the gnats aren't swarming yet—fill a spray bottle with a cup of water, a tablespoon of vinegar, and a few drops of liquid dish soap and give it a good shake. Spritz gnats in flight to put an end to the infestation before it begins.

What is the fastest home remedy to get rid of gnats? ›

Use a small saucer to mix a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, a few drops of dishwashing soap and a little sugar. Put the saucer near the gnats. Use more than one saucer, if needed. The gnats will be drawn to the sweet solution, fall in and get trapped.

What is a simple solution for gnats? ›

One method includes setting a bowl near the infestation and pouring apple cider vinegar, a teaspoon of sugar and a teaspoon of dish soap into the bowl. The sugar will attract the gnats, the dish soap will prevent them from escaping and the vinegar will kill them.

What scent do gnats hate? ›

The only way to get rid of gnats without killing them is to repel them with scents they don't like: vinegar, vanilla, pine oil, peppermint, lemon, eucalyptus, and lavender. Even dryer sheets could help. Of course, the first line of duty would be to get rid of the infestation's root cause.

What liquid gets rid of gnats? ›

In a small bowl, mix a half cup of warm water plus two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, a tablespoon of sugar, and about six drops of liquid dish soap. Gnats will be lured in by the sugary mixture, but once they dip in for a drink, the sticky dish soap will trap them.

How do I get rid of gnats in 5 minutes? ›

Combine equal parts vinegar and soap and then add a few tablespoons of sugar – once you mix it all together you can place the bowl wherever the gnats have been gathering. They will be attracted to the sugar and vinegar and drown in the mixture.

What is the best gnat repellent? ›

10 Best Gnat Repellents June 2021
  • Insect Repellent 100% Natural With Fresh Lemongrass, Peppermint And Sweet Orange: Repels Biting.
  • Dr. ...
  • Sawyer Products Picaridin 20% Spray Repellent Mosquito Ticks Gnats Biting Flies.
  • Buggins Natural Insect Repellent.
Dec 3, 2023

Why am I getting so many gnats in my house? ›

Inside the home, gnats can be attracted to unsealed produce, fresh flowers, houseplants, food spillage and open or overflowing garbage cans. Gnats may also live in sink drains where food residue can collect. Dirty kitchen sink drains can provide food, water, shelter and breeding sites to many fly species.

What kills fungus gnats instantly? ›

A peroxide solution apparently kills larvae and eggs on contact, effectively killing off all infant gnats and disrupting the lifecycle. You should be able to buy hydrogen peroxide from any high street pharmacy or online. Mix 1 part 9% hydrogen peroxide with 6 parts water.

How to get rid of drain gnats permanently? ›

"Combine 1/2 cup salt with 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar and pour down the drain." Leave it overnight, and in the morning, pour boiling water down the drain. "This is a natural remedy that will clean the plumbing pipes and remove the breeding grounds for these flies," he explains.

Why do I have gnats in my house but no fruit? ›

What causes gnats in the house? Gnats are attracted to sweet scents, moisture, garbage, houseplants, and other warm, moist environments like your bathroom or kitchen. Gnats also live and reproduce in sink drains and garbage disposals due to the food residue, water, and shelter that drains provide.

How do I keep gnats away permanently? ›

Avoid overwatering houseplants to avoid moist conditions where fungus gnats thrive. Clean drains and the garbage disposal to get rid of food buildup that can be breeding grounds where gnats thrive. Check for plumbing leaks and repair them. Wipe up spills and food from floors and countertops.

How do I get rid of gnats in my potted plants? ›

Vinegar for a Gnat Trap

Pour apple cider vinegar into a cup or glass and mix in a few drops of dish soap. Cover it with tape or cheesecloth, leaving holes large enough for the bugs to get to it. They'll be attracted by the scent, try to sip the solution, and drown.

What is the best homemade insect repellent? ›

Bug Boggle Formula #1
  • 15 drops geranium essential oil.
  • 8 drops cedarwood essential oil.
  • 8 drops catnip essential oil.
  • 6 drops eucalyptus essential oil.
  • 6 drops rosemary essential oil.
  • 5 drops peppermint essential oil.
  • ½ cup organic soybean base oil.
  • 4-ounce spritzer, pump, or squeeze bottle.

References

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