We Tested 5 Popular Ways to Get Rid of Gnats (And Found One That Actually Works)

by Fred Bell June 24, 2025 Home & Garden

Gnats might be tiny, but when they show up in your kitchen, bathroom, or near your houseplants—they make a big mess. They swarm around fruit bowls, hover near drains, and seem to multiply overnight. If you’ve tried chasing them with a dish towel, you know how impossible they can be to catch.

We were tired of them, so we decided to test the five most popular gnat control methods to figure out what really works. Some helped temporarily, some made things worse—and one solution worked quietly in the background and made the problem disappear for good.

Method #1: Apple Cider Vinegar Traps

How it works: You fill a small bowl with apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap. The scent draws gnats in, and the soap traps them beneath the surface.

Our experience: We caught a few gnats—especially the first night—but they kept coming back. Also, the smell of vinegar wasn’t great in the kitchen after a few days.

Final verdict: Not bad for a quick fix, but not a long-term solution.

Method #2: Drain Cleaners and Bleach

How it works: Many gnats lay eggs in sink drains. Some people pour bleach or baking soda with vinegar down the drain to kill larvae and break the cycle.

Our experience: It helped reduce activity near the kitchen sink, but only for a day or two. We were also hesitant about pouring bleach down pipes often—especially around pets and kids.

Final verdict: Some short-term improvement, but not gnat-proof by any means.

Method #3: Flow Traps

How it works: These are sticky or baited traps that lure gnats in and keep them there. Some use light or scent to attract the bugs. You place them near plants, trash bins, or other problem areas.

Our experience: These definitely caught gnats over time. The ones we used filled up gradually and were easy to replace. They helped in targeted areas like by the compost bin or plant shelf.

Final verdict: Helpful for managing hotspots. Works best when paired with another method.

Method #4: Electric Zappers

How it works: These plug-in devices use UV light to attract flying insects like gnats and flies, then zap them on contact. Great for patios or low-light areas indoors.

Our experience: Zappers worked well at night, especially in darker areas. But they didn’t cover the whole room and weren’t as effective during the day when natural light was brighter.

Final verdict: Good supplemental tool, especially for nighttime use.

Method #5: Ultrasonic Gnat Repellers

How it works: These plug-in devices emit high-frequency sound waves that are silent to humans and pets, but make the environment uncomfortable for gnats. The sound scrambles their ability to navigate, causing them to leave and stay away.

Our experience: This was the most effortless method we tested. We plugged it in and left it alone. After about 48 hours, the gnats were basically gone—and didn’t come back. No sprays, no smells, no cleanup.

Final verdict: Hands-down the easiest and most effective solution.

Our Top Pick for Getting Rid of Gnats Indoors

After trying everything from vinegar to zappers, the method that made the biggest difference was ZeroZap Sonic.

It uses ultrasonic sound waves to quietly clear your space of gnats. You won’t hear it—but the gnats will. And once they start feeling uncomfortable, they leave and don’t come back.

Why We Recommend ZeroZap Sonic

1. Advanced Ultrasonic Sound – Disrupts how gnats fly and navigate.
2. No Chemicals or Odors – Safe to use in kitchens, bathrooms, or around plants.
3. Zero Effort – Just plug it in and let it run 24/7.
4. Silent & Pet-Friendly – You won’t even know it’s working—but the gnats will.
5. Energy Efficient – Quiet and cost-effective, even when running all day.

Final Thoughts: A Clean Way to Keep Gnats Away

Gnats are annoying, persistent, and hard to catch—but you don’t need to fight them with chemicals or constant traps. ZeroZap Sonic keeps your space gnat-free without any hassle.

1. Repels gnats silently using high-frequency sound
2. Safe for families, pets, and plants
3. No cleanup, no chemicals, no traps to empty
4. Great for kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms
5. Backed by real reviews from satisfied customers

If your kitchen is crawling with gnats, and nothing you’ve tried has worked—or worse, made things messier—ZeroZap Sonic might be exactly what you need.

It’s clean, quiet, safe, and best of all—it actually does what it promises.

I honestly wish I had found this sooner. It would’ve saved me a lot of vinegar… and my sanity.