Gnat Traps

Gnat traps

While there are no traps made specifically for gnats, like there are for fruit flies, general fly remedies can help trap gnats.

• There are some formulas out there for homemade gnat “traps,” or solutions that lure gnats in, but not commercially available. Regular fly lures won’t work on gnats, as they are not attracted to the same food source.
• Fly paper, glue boards, and hanging stick traps can all work on gnats. However, you will have to hang them very close to the source of the gnats or where you have seen gnats congregating, maybe by windows or light sources.
• Fly lights can also be effective at trapping gnats. Gnats are attracted to light, like most insects. Fly lights have a light to lure insects in and a glue board to keep them from escaping. Again, you must place lights close to where gnats are, but not near windows as you may lure other insects outdoors to congregate near your home. Gnats won’t be traveling far from the plants, since that is also their food source. Moving plants around can be one solution, or get a portable light, like the Flyweb Fly Light, which plugs into wall outlets.
• Once glue boards or sticky traps have been covered in insects, replace them with fresh products.
• Once it seems your populations have been lessened, you can continue to use glue boards to monitor plants. This way, you can see right away if your plants become infested and treat them quickly.
• Gnats are also often present outdoors, and there are pesticide products you can apply to your yard or garden to combat them; traps are not as effective out doors.