Gnats are tiny flying insects that can be hugely annoying when they swarm around your head. Their bites don’t hurt, but they can be irritating. Gnats are attracted to carbon dioxide, moisture, heat, and scent, which is why they tend to fly around people’s faces. Luckily, there are many effective ways to deter gnats and prevent them from pestering you.
Page Contents
Why are gnats attracted to you?
Gnats are drawn to humans for several reasons:
- Carbon dioxide – Gnats use CO2 to track hosts to bite. The CO2 you exhale triggers their interest.
- Moisture – Gnats are attracted to perspiration and damp environments. Sweat draws them in.
- Warmth – Your body heat mimics the kind of conditions gnats like to lay eggs in, like compost piles.
- Scent – Perfumes, scented soaps, fruity shampoos, etc. attract gnats looking for a place to feed and reproduce.
Basically, you are the perfect container of goodies that gnats want – warmth, CO2, moisture, and inviting smells. Knowing what draws gnats to you will help you understand how to repel them.
How to deter gnats from swarming around you
Here are some of the most effective ways to stop gnats from congregating around you when you are outside:
Fan yourself
Use a handheld fan to blow air around your body and face. This disrupts the carbon dioxide cloud that surrounds you, making it harder for gnats to hone in on your location. It also scatters them once they start swarming. Just a few blasts from a fan can clear away gnats.
Avoid heavily scented personal products
Skip the perfume, scented body sprays, and fragranced hair products if you’ll be outside with gnats. The pleasant smells that attract us, attract gnats too. Stick to unscented soaps, shampoos and deodorant when possible.
Wear light-colored clothing
Gnats are more attracted to dark colors which stand out and absorb heat. Wear loose, lightweight clothing in light colors like white, tan, light blue, etc. This makes you less visible and less appealing to gnats.
Stay away from stagnant water
Gnats breed in moist environments with standing water. Avoid wet areas like ponds, puddles, and irrigation runoff when gnats are bad. Steer clear of compost piles and other decaying organic matter as well.
Apply insect repellent
Spray an insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus on exposed skin. This creates a unpleasant barrier that deters gnats from landing on you. Reapply often for continued protection.
Use a fan outdoors
Set up a standing fan nearby when hanging out on your patio or deck. The breeze disrupts the carbon dioxide cloud around you and makes the area less hospitable for gnats. Box fans work well for this.
Burn citronella candles
The natural citronella oil released into the air smells unpleasant to gnats. Place citronella candles strategically around your patio or camping spot to help repel gnats. This doesn’t impact smells that attract gnats to humans.
Wear a hat with mesh
Hats protect your head and face while allowing air flow. Mesh hats are ideal because air blows freely around your head, scattering carbon dioxide. This prevents a concentrated cloud that attracts gnats.
Stay hydrated
When you get dehydrated, your sweat becomes thicker, providing more appeal to gnats. Drink plenty of water when active outdoors so you sweat more water and less salts/nutrients gnats desire.
Treatments to repel gnats at home
If gnats have already infiltrated your home, here are some tips to clear them out:
Use fans indoors
Run ceiling fans on high and place box fans in rooms prone to gnats. The air circulation disorients gnats and reduces places for them to rest. It also blows away the carbon dioxide they follow.
Seal trash cans and drains
Gnats breed in standing water and organic waste. Make sure trash cans contain no leaks or gaps for gnats to enter. Pour boiling water down sinks and drains to kill larvae.
Allow surfaces to dry completely after cleaning
Don’t leave moist areas around your home. After cleaning, allow all surfaces to dry fully so lingering moisture doesn’t attract gnats. Promptly dry out wet dishes, counters, floors, etc.
Use vinegar or bleach solutions
Wiping down surfaces with white vinegar or diluted bleach kills gnat eggs/larvae. Target damp areas in your kitchen and bathrooms. This removes breeding grounds and deters adult gnats.
Set out shallow dishes of wine
Gnats are drawn to the smell of vinegar. Place shallow dishes filled with wine, vinegar or overripe fruit around your home. The gnats will drown trying to reach the liquid.
Burn eucalyptus oil
The strong aroma of eucalyptus oil drives away adult gnats. Use a diffuser or mix a few drops of oil with water in a spray bottle. Spray around window sills, doorways and other gnat entry points.
Use sticky traps
Sticky fly paper or rolls grab gnats when they land on the adhesive surface. Hang strips near plants, by windows and in problem areas to catch large numbers of gnats passively.
Seal food tightly
Gnats can fit through tiny cracks and crevices. Store human and pet food in airtight containers to remove access to crumbs and spills gnats could breed in.
Vacuum frequently
Make sure to vacuum all floors, crevices, vents and upholstered furniture often. This removes adult gnats along with eggs and larvae in carpets, cracks and dusty areas that could become breeding grounds.
Use indoor insect foggers
In extreme infestations, you may need to fog your home to kill adult gnats and larvae hiding in nooks and crannies. Foggers quickly eliminate large populations. Follow all directions carefully.
Natural gnat remedies
If you want to deter gnats without using chemical sprays and fogs, try these natural options:
Essential oils
Oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, lemongrass and citronella repel gnats when diffused in the air. Place a few drops on cotton balls and set near problem areas.
Herbal extracts
Soaking herbs like lavender, mint, rosemary, etc and allowing the water to evaporate in the air deters gnats with aromatics they dislike.
Plant marigolds
The smell of marigolds is offensive to gnats. Having pots of marigolds near walkways, patios and entryways provides a repellent border against gnats.
Basil and mint
Having pots of fresh mint and basil in your home emits smells that naturally deter gnats. Crush leaves occasionally to strengthen aromas.
Citrus peels
Place dried citrus peels like orange, lemon or lime in areas prone to gnats. The aromas are unappealing and help drive gnats away long-term.
Onions and garlic
Both onions and garlic contain sulfur compounds that are pungent to gnats. Chop some up and place around your patio or indoor areas with gnat issues.
Protecting outdoor areas
Here are some tips to make your yard, garden and outdoor living areas less inviting to gnats:
Use oscillating fans
Mount outdoor fans on patios or porches and keep them oscillating. The moving air disrupts swarms of gnats. Use large fans to cover more ground.
Pour boiling water on breeding grounds
Boiling water kills gnat larvae in compost piles, dirt-filled gutters and standing puddles. Focus on moist areas where gnats breed.
Install fly screens
Sturdy window screens and screened-in porches let air flow through while blocking gnats. Make sure screens have tight seals to prevent gaps for gnats to enter.
Remove standing water
Dump bird baths, wading pools, water bowls and other sources of standing water weekly. Eliminate breeding grounds to reduce gnat populations long-term.
Use yellow bug lights
Outdoor lights attract nighttime gnats. Replace bulbs with yellow bug lights. These emit light on spectrums less visible to bugs.
Spread diatomaceous earth
DE is a fine dust that destroys the waxy coating on gnat exoskeletons. Sprinkle some in window wells, under decks and around the perimeter of your home.
Set out bat houses
Bats eat adult insects like gnats and mosquitoes. Having bat boxes around your property encourages natural gnat control from these prolific insect eaters.
Introduce predator insects
Ladybugs, praying mantises, dragonflies and damselflies all feed on gnats. Attract them naturally with certain plants and flowers that draw in these predatory insects.
Use nematodes on lawns/soil
Beneficial parasitic nematodes kill gnat larvae when watered into turf and soil. Apply monthly during warm seasons to control breeding populations.
Treat lawns to prevent thatch buildup
Thatch layers from grass clippings allow gnat larvae to feed and develop. Prevent thatch buildup by aerating, dethatching and amending lawns regularly.
How to treat a gnat bite
Though gnat bites aren’t dangerous, they can still get red and itchy. Here’s how to treat the irritation:
- Wash the bite with soap and water to remove saliva/irritants.
- Apply hydrocortisone cream to reduce swelling and itching.
- Take an antihistamine containing diphenhydramine to relieve itching.
- Place an ice pack on swollen bites to ease inflammation.
- Avoid scratching bites as it can lead to infection.
- See a doctor if bites become severely swollen or infected.
For most people, gnat bites resolve quickly with basic care. Prevent future bites by using effective gnat control methods.
Summary
While tiny, gnats can be incredibly annoying when they amass around you. Their attraction to CO2, sweat, warmth and scent causes them to seek humans out to bite. Thankfully, you can take many approaches to deter gnats from swarming your personal space. Fan yourself, avoid wearing overly fragrant products, apply repellent, and eliminate breeding grounds to keep gnats at bay. Indoors, use fans, traps, vinegar/bleach solutions and essential oils to repel them. Protect outdoor areas with screens, removing standing water, using yellow bug lights and introducing predator insects. With some diligence, you can minimize pesky gnats and enjoy the outdoors gnat-free.