How do you get rid of gnats in house plants.

Ronda Scott
by Ronda Scott
  9 answers
  • Repot the plants with fresh non contaminated soil. Wash the pot too.

  • Dianna Sweeney Dianna Sweeney on Sep 21, 2017

    I'd recommend NOT using organic soil for indoor plants. Every single time I use organic soil...especially if I get it from an outside garden area, they are loaded with fungus gnats. I think they must get into tiny holes in the bags when they are stored outdoors. Just MHO


  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Sep 21, 2017

    place bowls of apple cider vinegar covered with saran wrap and poke holes in it

  • Lizbeth Lizbeth on Sep 22, 2017

    Also when repotting check the plant's roots. Cut away any slimey rotting parts you find. The gnats probably are just from bad soil but could be attracted to decaying parts of the plant's roots.

  • Kat Kat on Sep 22, 2017

    both answers are good! I replaced my soil, then covered with a little sand on top. again, dont use organic dirt

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Oct 06, 2023

    I had a terrible gnat problem and the vinegar traps worked perfectly! Simply place a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, a few drops of dish soap, and a tablespoon of sugar in a bowl and stir. Set your bowl in an area where gnats are prevalent, such as your kitchen or bathroom. This took care of my problem in just a couple of days!

  • Chloe Crabtree Chloe Crabtree on Oct 06, 2023

    I had a terrible gnat problem and the vinegar traps worked perfectly! Simply place a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, a few drops of dish soap, and a tablespoon of sugar in a bowl and stir. Set your bowl in an area where gnats are prevalent, such as your kitchen or bathroom. This took care of my problem in just a couple of days!

  • Redcatcec Redcatcec on Oct 07, 2023

    These common pests came into your house on the fruits from the market. The gnats lay their eggs and when conditions are right, they hatch. To prevent this thoroughly wash them off and immediately refrigerate the produce, except bananas. Next is clean the sink drain with 1/2 baking soda followed by 1 cup of white vinegar, when the fizzing stops, rinse with a good amount of hot water, you may also want to keep the stopper in the sink drain until you have gotten rid of them.

    Now for those hatchlings that are still buzzing around, take a sticky cardboard trap (you can get a pack of these from Walmart-they are in the pest control section). These are the same ones used to catch mice, lay it flat and peel off the protective layer, do not fold it up. Put a small piece of sweet decaying fruit in the center of it, the gnats will land on the sticky part and that will be the end of them.

    Best to you.

  • Deb K Deb K on Oct 07, 2023

    Hi Ronda, hope this helps you out.

    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.