How to Get Rid of Outdoor Gnats

Dealing with gnats outdoors can be incredibly frustrating. As soon as you step outside, you’re swarmed by these annoying little bugs buzzing around your head. Getting rid of outdoor gnats requires some work, but it can be done using repellents, traps, and by removing their breeding grounds. Here’s a comprehensive guide on proven methods to effectively eliminate gnats from your yard, porch and garden.

What Are Outdoor Gnats?

Before getting into how to get rid of outdoor gnats, it’s important to understand what they are exactly. Gnats are tiny, flying insects that belong to the fly family. There are many different types of gnats, but some of the most common outdoor gnats include:

Black flies – These biting gnats thrive near bodies of water and are known to deliver painful bites.
Fruit flies – Tiny gnats attracted to ripe or rotting fruit. They proliferate around compost piles.
Fungus gnats – These live in damp soil and potted plants, laying eggs in moist organic material.
Gall gnats – Tiny dark flies that infest lawns and gardens, laying eggs in damp soil.
Sand flies – Biting midges found near water, known to transmit disease.
Phorid flies – Harmless but pesky gnats that reproduce rapidly in drains or moist organic matter.

Gnats typically lay eggs in damp, organic material outdoors like compost piles, grass clippings, rotting leaves, fertilizer or soggy soil. They are attracted to smells and carbon dioxide emitted by humans and animals. Gnats don’t bite, but can be aggravating as they buzz around eyes, ears, nose and mouth. Getting rid of damp, decaying matter is key to eliminating gnats.

Here are the top methods for controlling gnats in your yard and outdoor living areas:

Use Gnat Repellents

Applying gnat repellents is an effective way to deter gnats from lingering and breeding on your property. There are several types of repellents that can be used:

Essential oils – Many plant-derived oils like eucalyptus, citronella, peppermint, tea tree, and lemongrass oil can repel gnats. Try this homemade gnat spray:

Fill a spray bottle with 2 cups water.
Add 20 drops of your chosen essential oil(s).
Shake well and spray onto skin and clothing before going outside.

DEET – This active ingredient is proven to repel all types of insects. Buy DEET repellent and apply to exposed skin or clothing when outside.

Picaridin – Similar to DEET but less harsh on materials. Found in many gnat repellent sprays.

IR3535 – Repels mosquitoes, ticks and gnats. Look for this repellent active ingredient.

Reapply repellents frequently according to label instructions for ongoing protection.

Install Gnat Traps

Using gnat traps can help capture and kill adult gnats while also reducing breeding populations. Here are some effective DIY gnat trap ideas:

Apple cider vinegar traps – Fill a small bowl or jar with ACV and add a drop of dish soap to break surface tension. Gnats are attracted to the vinegar but drown.

Wine traps – Same concept as ACV traps. The gnats drown while feeding on the wine.

Fruit traps – Let some ripe fruit like bananas or melon ferment in a bowl. The stench lures gnats which then stick to the gooey fruit.

Water traps – Mix a few spoonfuls of cooking oil into water. Gnats get stuck and drown when they land.

Funnel traps – Make funnel shaped traps from plastic bottles to lure and contain gnats.

Fly strips – Hang sticky fly paper ribbons around your yard or porch. Gnats will get stuck on the glue.

Bowl/cup traps – Something as simple as bowls filled with soapy water, saltwater or wine can capture wandering gnats.

Check and empty gnat traps frequently to prevent breeding. Try different DIY traps to determine what works best for your specific gnat situation.

Eliminate Gnat Breeding Grounds

To get rid of outdoor gnats long-term, you’ll need to get rid of sources they use to reproduce. Gnats need damp organic matter to lay eggs in and thrive.

Remove decaying matter – Get rid of rotting leaves/plants, soggy grass clippings, piled up mulch or overly wet soil that can breed gnats.

Fix leaky pipes/gutters – Standing water from leaks and sprinklers creates ideal gnat habitat. Repair outdoor plumbing issues.

Improve drainage – Fill in ruts, holes or low areas that accumulate water after rains. Slope soil away from structures.

Cover exposed soil – Use mulch, gravel or landscape fabric to cover bare damp earth that gnats could use to nest and reproduce.

Seal trash cans – Use tight fitting lids and liners to keep gnats from getting into garbage containing organic waste.

Manage compost – Turn compost pile regularly to aerate and prevent soggy moist areas gnats could use. Cover unused compost.

Clean pet waste – Remove animal feces which can draw gnats looking to lay eggs. Dispose of properly in sealed bags.

Clean gutters & drains – Prevent organic debris buildup that collects moisture gnats need to breed.

Fill stand pipes – Pour sand or gravel into openings of outdoor stand pipes/sprinklers so gnats can’t access water.

Use Fans & Air Circulation

Gnats dislike wind and air currents. Using fans and improving air flow can help repel them from your outdoor living space.

Set up floor/table fans on porches pointed outward to blow gnats away.

Use ceiling fans outdoors under covered areas to prevent gnats from congregating.

Improve air circulation by pruning back overgrown plants, bushes and trees that block airflow.

Add wind chimes – Gnats tend to avoid yards with moving wind chimes. Strategically place several around your outdoor space.

Install air curtains over entryways to blow gnats away as you enter/exit buildings.

Use bug zappers – Electric zappers vaporize gnats lured by the light, preventing entry into the area.

Apply Insecticides

For severe gnat infestations, insecticide sprays and granules can help eliminate large populations. Always read and follow label directions carefully.

Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI) – This natural bacterium kills fungus gnat larvae but is safe for people, pets and plants. Use in vegetable gardens, flower beds and lawns. Apply as a liquid drench or granules.

Insecticidal soaps – Potassium salts of fatty acids disrupt gnat membranes. Spray on plants, the ground or small areas. May require multiple applications.

Pyrethrins – Plant-derived insecticides that can kill gnats on contact. Often combined with piperonyl butoxide.

Imidacloprid – Systemic neonicotinoid insecticide that gets absorbed into plant tissue. Use granules or liquid sprays.

Carbaryl – Carbamate insecticide that works on contact. Sold under Sevin and other brand names.

When using chemicals, avoid applying broad spectrum insecticides that could harm beneficial garden insects like lady bugs. Always take safety precautions and use as a last resort when other methods fail. Reapply as needed.

Attract Natural Predators

Certain beneficial garden critters feed on gnats and can be encouraged to keep populations under control:

Birds – Attract insect-eating birds like swallows and purple martins by installing bird houses. They’ll feast on flying gnats.

Bats – Put up bat houses to provide roosting spots. Bats consume gnats and other flying insects.

Lizards – Provide habitat like rock piles or short grass where lizards can live. They’ll eat both adult and larval gnats.

Spiders – Let spider webs persist to allow them to capture gnats. Certain types like crab spiders actively hunt insects.

Dragonflies – These fierce predators feast on midges as adults and naiads eat larvae in water. Install a small pond to attract them.

Frogs & toads – Construct a backyard pond for frogs/toads to live and breed. They’ll snack on gnats near water.

Beetles – Ground beetles and rove beetles prey on fungus gnat larvae in soil. Avoid pesticides that could kill them.

Use Protective Clothing

When all else fails, protective clothing can create a barrier between you and biting or annoying gnats outside.

Wear light colored clothing – gnats are drawn to dark colors.
Cover as much exposed skin as possible.
Treat clothes, hats, nets and gloves with repellent for added protection.
Avoid floral prints or bright patterns which attract some gnats.
Wear tightly woven fabrics like canvas that gnats can’t bite through.

When to Call a Pest Control Professional

For severe infestations that don’t respond adequately to home remedies, you may need to call in a professional pest control company. Exterminators have commercial grade insecticides, specialized equipment and the expertise to fully eliminate stubborn gnat populations. They can:

Inspect your property to pinpoint gnat breeding hotspots.
Apply insecticide drenches, foggers, misters or granules where gnats originate.
Use baits and traps not available to consumers.
Provide residual pest control treatments.
Re-apply treatments as needed until gnats are eradicated.

This comprehensive approach is sometimes the only way to get gnats under control if they’ve already established a foothold outdoors. Be sure to hire a reputable, licensed pest management company that has experience specifically dealing with gnats and small flying insects.

DIY Gnat Control Product Options

For those who want to tackle gnat problems themselves, there are many effective DIY solutions and products available:

Traps – Gnat sticky traps, pheromone traps, reusable zappers

Repellents – DEET, picaridin or natural oil sprays and lotions

Insecticides – BTI, imidacloprid, pyrethrin, neem, insecticidal soaps

Attractants – Pheromones, lures, bait stations

Tools – Electric swatters, indoor bug zappers, vacuum attachments

Protective Gear – Mosquito nets, screen tents, hats, tightly woven clothes

Deterrents – Fans, air blowers, wind chimes, garden oil torches

Shop at home improvement stores, outdoor and garden retailers or order online to DIY gnat control products. Various traps, baits, organic treatments, natural repellents and commercial grade insecticides are readily available for purchase without an exterminator.

When Gnats Are More Than Just a Nuisance

For the most part, gnats are simply a nuisance rather than a major health hazard. However, some gnat species can transmit disease or inflict painful bites:

Biting midges – Can spread livestock diseases like bluetongue virus. Their bites cause intense itching in people.

Black flies – Breed in rivers and streams, biting humans and animals. Can transmit river blindness disease.

Sand flies – Blood sucking flies that inhabit sandy beaches. May transmit leishmaniasis and Carrion’s disease.

Fungus gnats – Do not bite but can spread plant diseases like root rot while in larvae stage.

Phlebotomine gnats – Feed on blood and may transmit bartonellosis and Mycobacterium ulcerans.

If you suspect disease carrying gnats, take extra precautions and consult pest control. Eliminate all standing water sources where possible. Professional treatments may be required to protect human and animal health in some cases.

Gnat Prevention Tips

Once you get rid of gnats, you’ll want to take steps to prevent future infestations. Here are some helpful gnat prevention pointers:

Drain standing water and soggy areas around your home.
Clean gutters and irrigate lawns/gardens early so they dry quickly.
Remove stacks of wet leaves, mulch and yard debris regularly.
Cover exposed moist soil with landscape fabric.
Keep compost contained, aerated and turned.
Inspect potted plants and gardens for gnat larvae.
Use tight fitting lids on trash cans and dumpsters.
Prune vegetation so air circulates freely around your home.
Treat property perimeter with residual insecticides if needed.
Install gnat-proof screens on doors and windows.
Set out traps continuously to monitor populations.
Release natural predators like bats or insects that consume gnats.

With some effort and persistence, you can clear your yard, garden and outdoor living areas of annoying gnats. Combining several of these gnat control methods also provides longer lasting relief by attacking all life stages. Pay attention to their breeding habitats and focus on prevention to stop infestations before they start. Enjoy your outdoor spaces again free of bothersome gnats buzzing around your face.

Frequently Asked Questions About Eliminating Outdoor Gnats

Still have questions about how to banish gnats from your yard and outdoor areas? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

What time of day are gnats most active?

Gnats are generally most active on warm, humid days with little to no wind. Their peak feeding times are at dawn and dusk but some species will bite any time of day. Always use repellents when going outside at dawn or dusk.

How can I get rid of gnats in my yard naturally?

Try using natural repellents like essential oils, installing DIY traps with vinegar or wine, applying beneficial nematodes to soil, introducing gnat predators, eliminating breeding sites and improving drainage and air circulation.

Do gnats bite?

Certain gnat species like black flies, sand flies, deer flies and buffalo gnats do bite exposed skin. Most nuisance gnats don’t bite but will swarm around your face.

How do you keep gnats off patio?

Try using essential oil repellents, installing overhead fans, placing bowls of water with cooking oil to trap gnats, hanging fly strips nearby, introducing plants they dislike, and fixing any drainage issues in your patio area.

What scent do gnats hate?

Gnats detest the strong scents of eucalyptus, citronella, peppermint, lemongrass and tea tree oils. Mix with water in a spray bottle and apply to skin before going outside. Plant these pungent herbs in your yard.

What plants keep gnats away?

Marigolds, lavender, basil, eucalyptus, rosemary, chrysanthemums, citronella grass and pennyroyal are plants that naturally repel gnats through smell and by disrupting breeding. Interplant in your garden beds and borders.

Will vinegar get rid of gnats?

Yes, apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar traps can help eliminate adult gnats. However, vinegar does not kill gnat larvae so you’ll still need to remove breeding sources like soggy soil or organic debris where they reproduce.

Conclusion

Gnats can rapidly take over your outdoor living spaces and gardens if left unchecked. Stop them at the source by eliminating excess moisture and decaying matter where they breed. Apply gnat repellents to your skin and plants when going outside. Install DIY traps filled with tempting gnat treats like vinegar or wine. Improve air circulation and drainage. Remove piles of organic debris promptly. Introduce natural gnat predators to keep populations under control. With some persistence using these methods, you can reclaim your yard from annoying gnats and their pesky bites.