I've got little black winged bugs flying in my house smaller than gnat

Cynthia Cox
by Cynthia Cox
  13 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Sep 20, 2017

    Place bowls of apple cider vinegar covered with saran wrap with small holes

  • Brenda Pyles Brenda Pyles on Sep 20, 2017

    I have the same and they are driving me crazy. They bite and leave whelps plus my dog is going nutz when they get on her. Please someone help.

  • Chas' Crazy Creations Chas' Crazy Creations on Sep 20, 2017

    Here is an article that might be helpful - https://www.orkin.com/ask-the-orkin-man/how-do-i-get-rid-of-gnats/ - good luck

  • Jul10743989 Jul10743989 on Sep 20, 2017

    Yes they very well could be coming from your plants!

    There are different sticky fly traps that have different types of hormones and chemicals to attract them.

    AND/OR

    I could suggest that you get a bag of Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth. It's a powder with many uses including killing bed bugs and feels like flour. What is does is dry certain insects out SO try not to get on leaves OR stem of your plants as precaution.

    It is ok to use on top of dirt.

    What those tiny flies do is they have babies in dirt and only fly out to mate and then return to lay more babies. They can become a problem for your plants roots as well.

    When you put a thin layer on top the soil, they will have to pass through when coming and going. Within 2 of their generations, they should die off (which in fly time is maybe 3 to 4 days per generation)

    The powder will wash out when watering the plants.

  • Amanda Amanda on Sep 20, 2017

    Have you tried putting up some fly tape to try and catch them. They also could be fruit flies. Try putting out a dish of apple cider vinegar. Then add a little dish soap to that and a little bit of water, just enough to make the soap start bubbling. If they are fruit flies they will be attracted to it and get stuck in the soap.

  • Jaxs Jaxs on Sep 20, 2017

    They are probably coming from your plants and the soil. Had the same thing here drove me nuts. I got spray at the garden center still had them. Changed the dirt washed all the pots and plants, and that was a chore, all in all. I now have No plants. Also thought it was lice. Ick I live alone. How I was asking. ??? So Good luck

  • Cheryl Cheryl on Sep 20, 2017

    Place a small glass bowl on a table/counter or other out of the way space. Put 1/4 cup of cider vinegar in it with 1/4 teaspoon of dish detergent (I use Dawn) mixed in. Cover this with plastic wrap that has been punctured in 5 places (diamond shape) and leave it there for a few days. I've done this for years & it's the only thing that has worked for me. I hope it works for you too!

  • Carmen Carmen on Sep 20, 2017

    Fruit flies. In a small dish put some wine mixed with dish soap and leave it by your sink, near plants, etc. they go in there, but don't come out.

  • Patricia Loyco Patricia Loyco on Sep 20, 2017

    I also had them. I used the "fruit fly catcher" recipe which is: a small clear bowl with about a 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar, covered with clear plastic with about 6 holes in it. The next day I had 7 dead very small small black flying things which were biting me. When they would bite they would leave a very large hard whelp. They were driving me crazy.

  • Cynthia Cox Cynthia Cox on Sep 20, 2017

    Tried that

  • Cynthia Cox Cynthia Cox on Sep 20, 2017

    yes they do bite, I wonder if they're coming from my plants?

  • Deb K Deb K on Oct 07, 2023

    Hi Cynthia, likely drain flies, hope this helps you.

    https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/a46626/how-to-get-rid-of-gnats/