Gnats can turn a clean home or restaurant into a frustrating battleground. These tiny pests are drawn to moisture and decaying organic matter—and once they invade, they multiply rapidly. If you’re noticing flies near your fruit bowl, drain, or potted plants, you likely have a gnat problem.
This comprehensive guide walks you through how to identify the type of gnat, where they come from, and most importantly, how to get rid of them for good.
What Are Gnats and Why Do They Invade Homes?
“Gnat” is a loose term often used to describe any small, annoying fly. In pest control, the most common types of indoor gnats include:
Fruit flies – Attracted to sugary, fermenting fruit or liquids
Drain flies – Breed in organic slime inside drains
Fungus gnats – Thrive in moist plant soil
Phorid flies – Breed in rotting meat, sewage, or garbage
Gnats are attracted to moisture and organic waste, which makes kitchens, bathrooms, and indoor plants ideal breeding grounds.
How Do I Identify the Type of Gnat I Have?
| Type of Gnat | Where You See Them | What Attracts Them | Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit Flies | Near fruit, wine, beer, sinks | Fermenting fruit, sweet spills | Red or dark eyes, tan body |
| Drain Flies | Bathroom or kitchen walls | Organic grime in drains | Moth-like, fuzzy wings |
| Fungus Gnats | Around potted plants | Overwatered soil | Mosquito-like, black |
| Phorid Flies | Cracks, drains, or trash areas | Rotting meat, sewage | Humpbacked, crawls more than flies |
What Causes Gnats to Appear?
Common causes of gnat infestations include:
Overripe or fermenting fruit
Standing water in drains
Excessively wet houseplant soil
Grease or food buildup under appliances
Sewer or plumbing leaks
Poor sanitation in commercial kitchens
Where Do Fruit Flies Come From and How Do You Eliminate Them?
Fruit flies can sense ripening or rotting produce from outside and enter through screens or cracks. One female can lay 500 eggs, and they hatch quickly.
Elimination Tips:
Remove and discard overripe fruit
Clean under appliances and in cabinets
Set vinegar and dish soap traps
Deep clean food prep surfaces
How to Get Rid of Drain Flies in the Bathroom or Kitchen
Drain flies breed in organic slime in pipes.
Steps to Eliminate:
Identify infested drains using sticky tape
Scrub pipe walls with a long drain brush
Apply enzyme-based drain gel at night
Repeat nightly for at least a week
Avoid bleach—it doesn’t remove the breeding gunk.
How Do I Eliminate Fungus Gnats in Potted Plants?
Overwatering causes fungus gnat infestations.
What to Do:
Let the soil surface dry out completely
Place gravel on top of the soil
Use yellow sticky traps
Add beneficial nematodes or natural larvicides
What Are Phorid Flies and Why Are They Dangerous?
Phorid flies breed in decaying matter, sewage leaks, and trash. They’re especially problematic in hospitals and restaurants.
Why It Matters:
Can spread pathogens in sterile environments
Breed under concrete slabs and plumbing
Indicate serious sanitation or structural issues
Call pest control if you suspect phorid flies.
How Do Gnats Get Inside?
Gnats enter through:
Open doors and windows
Cracked seals around pipes and foundations
Produce or trash deliveries
Sewer gas leaks or broken pipes
What Is the Gnat Life Cycle?
All gnats go through these stages:
Egg → Larva → Pupa → Adult
Under optimal conditions, they complete this cycle in 7–10 days. This is why infestations can grow quickly.
How Do I Prevent Gnats in the Future?
Gnat Prevention Checklist:
Remove trash daily
Wash fruit before storing
Wipe up spills immediately
Hang mops to dry
Keep potted plants well-drained
Flush and treat drains weekly with enzyme cleaners
Gnat Control in Commercial Kitchens
Gnats in a commercial kitchen can lead to:
Health code violations
Bad customer reviews
Lost business
What Businesses Should Do:
Clean under every piece of equipment
Treat floor drains weekly
Fix broken tiles or plumbing issues
Install fly lights in food prep areas
Schedule professional pest inspections
Are DIY Gnat Traps Effective?
They help reduce visible adults, but don’t eliminate the problem.
DIY Trap Options:
Fruit flies: Apple cider vinegar + dish soap in a jar
Fungus gnats: Yellow sticky cards near plants
Traps are a short-term solution while you target breeding sites.
When to Call a Pest Control Professional
Call a pro if:
You can’t find the breeding source
Gnats keep returning after cleaning
You suspect underground pipe issues
You’re managing a commercial kitchen or health facility
Long-Term Gnat Prevention Strategy
Implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Use enzyme-based cleaners weekly
Monitor activity with fly lights and glue boards
Train staff on sanitation protocols
Schedule monthly pest inspections
Contact Nextgen Pest Solutions
Ready to kick gnats out of your home or business for good?
Nextgen Pest Solutions specializes in fruit flies, drain flies, phorid flies, and fungus gnats. We offer tailored pest control services for homes, restaurants, healthcare, and industrial kitchens.
Contact us today for a full gnat inspection and a cleaner, pest-free environment.
