How to Get Rid of Pesky Gnats in the Kitchen Once and for All

Your kitchen is a place where so much magic happens, from preparing your favorite dishes to gathering with your loved ones. But like any high-traffic place in your home, the kitchen can also be a pretty gross place — shout out to all those sticky spills, trash smells, and greasy piles of dishes. One of the grossest parts of the kitchen is the pests, and in the summer months, they can be especially rampant. 

Whether you’ve got standing water in your sink, or you left ripe fruit out on your counter, you may have noticed your kitchen is a breeding ground for pesky gnats. These little insects can definitely be annoying (and not to mention nasty), but luckily, you can take steps to eradicate them from your kitchen once and for all.

So, what exactly are gnats? According to Mohamed Samir, a senior pest control technician at Bugwise Pest Control, they’re small, flying insects that are attracted to moisture, organic material such as soil and decaying food, all of which are often found in kitchens. “They can come in through open windows or doors, or they might have been introduced via infested plants or food,” says Samir. 

There are a few different types of insects we call gnats, and it’s important to be aware of what you’re working with so you can solve the problem. Here are the most common offenders: 

• Fruit flies: As their name implies, these little bugs often arrive on fruit. “Gardeners who let their home-grown tomatoes ripen on the kitchen counter are frequently plagued by fruit flies,” says gardening expert and author C.L. Fornari. 
• Fungus gnats: These insects typically come indoors in potted plants, lay eggs in soil, then hatch into larvae that eat organic matter in the soil (including plants’ roots). Then, Fornari says they go on to develop into those annoying, tiny black gnats.
• Drain flies: Aka sewer gnats, these breed in the drains of your kitchen or bathroom sink. “They resemble fungus gnats and fruit flies when they are zipping around your kitchen,” says Fornari. 

While different kinds of gnats can originate from different places, they’re not all that different when it comes down to treating them. How you get rid of gnats in the kitchen ultimately depends on where they are. Here are a few of Samir’s favorite approaches for getting rid of those annoying kitchen pests: 

• Make a DIY trap: Fill a jar halfway with vinegar, sugar water, or beer, add a few drops of dish soap, and leave it out. “The gnats are attracted to the smell, get trapped in the liquid, and drown,” Samir says. 
• Try essential oils: Many gnats dislike the smell of certain essential oils, such as peppermint or lemongrass. Samir recommends diluting a few drops in water and spraying it around your kitchen. 
• Buy a pest-control product: You can also test out products specifically designed for killing gnats, like sticky gnat traps or kitchen-safe gnat sprays. Since gnats are attracted to light, plug-in lights with sticky traps on them can also be effective. 

DIY methods not cutting it? “It’s time to call an exterminator when home remedies and over-the-counter products aren’t effective, or if the infestation is large and persistent,” says Samir. 

Gnats require a certain type of environment to thrive, and there are a few ways you can easily make your kitchen less hospitable to them. Here are some of Samir’s tried-and-true methods for preventing kitchen gnats: 

• Clean regularly: Gnats are attracted to food scraps, so be sure to regularly clean your kitchen counters, stove, and sink — and don’t leave dirty dishes out overnight. 
• Reduce moisture: Repair any leaking pipes or faucets, and don’t overwater your houseplants since many gnats thrive in damp environments. 
• Store food properly: Keep your food in airtight containers and don’t leave ripe fruit out in the open. 
• Take out the trash: Don’t let your garbage pile up, as gnats are attracted to organic matter like food scraps. 

If you think gnats are breeding in your kitchen sink, you can take a few steps to fend them off. Along with preventing standing water in your sink, Samir recommends clearing away any organic matter that may have built up in your drain. He suggests using an anti-bacterial drain cleaner to break down the organic matter. You can also pour a mixture of equal parts vinegar and baking soda down the drain, let it sit for a few hours, and then rinse with boiling water.