Top 15 Gnat Trap DIY Ideas [Make Within Minutes]

Gnats can be a real nuisance, especially when they invade your home. Have you been dealing with these pesky insects buzzing around your kitchen or plants? 

I’ve been there, and I know how frustrating it can be. But don’t worry I’ve got you covered! 

Here are 15 simple and effective DIY gnat traps that you can make at home to get rid of these tiny troublemakers.

Gnat Trap DIY Ideas

A gnat trap is an effective tool for controlling those tiny, pesky insects that invade your home.

Designed to attract and capture gnats, these traps typically use bait, like vinegar or fruit juice, to lure the bugs in.

Once inside, the gnats are either trapped by sticky surfaces or drown in the liquid bait.

Simple to set up and highly efficient, gnat traps are a must-have for keeping your living space free of annoying flying insects.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar Trap

You can make a simple yet effective gnat trap using apple cider vinegar. Just take a small bowl and fill it halfway with apple cider vinegar. 

Add a few drops of dish soap to the vinegar; this breaks the surface tension so the gnats can’t escape. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and poke a few small holes in it. 

The gnats are attracted to the smell of the vinegar and will enter through the holes, but they won’t be able to get out. 

Place the trap in areas where you’ve noticed gnat activity, like near your plants or fruit bowl, and watch as it starts to fill up with gnats.

2. Wine Bottle Trap

If you have a bit of leftover wine, you can use it to create a gnat trap. Simply leave a small amount of wine in the bottom of a bottle. 

Gnats are attracted to the fermented liquid, so they’ll fly into the bottle but won’t be able to escape. For extra effectiveness, you can add a couple of drops of dish soap to the wine. 

Place the bottle in an area where gnats are a problem, and soon you’ll notice a significant decrease in their numbers.

3. Fruit Jar Trap

Gnats are naturally drawn to fruit, so you can use this to your advantage. Take a jar and place a piece of ripe or overripe fruit inside. 

Cover the jar with plastic wrap and secure it with a rubber band. Poke a few small holes in the plastic wrap. 

The gnats will be attracted to the fruit, crawl through the holes, and get trapped inside the jar. This trap is particularly effective in the kitchen where fruit flies tend to gather.

4. Milk, Sugar, and Pepper Trap

For this homemade gnat trap, you’ll need a cup of milk, a quarter cup of sugar, and a tablespoon of ground black pepper. 

Heat the mixture in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves, then pour it into a shallow dish. Place the dish in the area where you’ve noticed gnats. 

The sweet smell will attract the gnats, and they’ll get stuck in the liquid. This method is both simple and highly effective.

5. Red Wine Vinegar Trap

Similar to the apple cider vinegar trap, you can use red wine vinegar to attract gnats. 

Pour some red wine vinegar into a bowl and add a few drops of dish soap. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and poke small holes in it. 

The gnats will be drawn to the vinegar and will get trapped inside. Place the bowl near gnat-infested areas and watch it work its magic.

6. Sugar Water Trap

A straightforward sugar water trap can also do the trick. Mix equal parts water and sugar in a bowl and add a few drops of dish soap. 

The sweet smell will lure the gnats in, and the dish soap will ensure they can’t escape. 

This trap is easy to make and can be placed anywhere you’ve noticed gnats congregating.

7. Candle and Water Trap

This old-fashioned trap is quite effective. Place a candle in a shallow bowl or dish and fill the bowl with water. Light the candle and turn off the lights in the room. 

Gnats will be attracted to the flame and, when they get too close, they’ll either get burned by the flame or fall into the water below. This method works best in dark rooms or at night.

8. Rotten Fruit Trap

Using rotten fruit is another great way to trap gnats. Place a piece of overripe or rotten fruit in a container and cover it with plastic wrap. 

Secure the plastic wrap with a rubber band and poke a few small holes in it. 

The gnats will be attracted to the fruit and will get trapped inside the container. This is an excellent way to recycle old fruit and get rid of gnats at the same time.

9. Soda Bottle Trap

You can make a soda bottle trap with just an empty soda bottle and some bait. 

Cut the top third of the bottle off and invert it into the bottom part, forming a funnel. Pour a little apple cider vinegar or fruit juice into the bottom. 

The gnats will fly in through the funnel but won’t be able to find their way back out. This trap is easy to make and very effective.

10. Sticky Trap

For a quick and easy gnat trap, use sticky traps. You can buy these at most hardware stores or make your own by coating a piece of yellow paper or cardboard with a sticky substance like petroleum jelly or honey. 

Hang the traps near gnat-infested areas. The bright color attracts the gnats, and they get stuck on the sticky surface.

11. Yeast and Sugar Trap

This trap uses the power of yeast to attract gnats. Mix a packet of active dry yeast with a cup of warm water and a tablespoon of sugar. 

Pour the mixture into a container and cover it with plastic wrap, securing it with a rubber band. Poke a few small holes in the plastic wrap. 

The yeast will ferment the sugar, producing carbon dioxide that attracts the gnats. Once inside, they won’t be able to escape.

12. Essential Oil Trap

Certain essential oils like eucalyptus, lavender, or peppermint can repel gnats. 

Mix a few drops of your chosen essential oil with water in a spray bottle and spray it around areas where gnats are a problem. 

Alternatively, you can soak a cotton ball in the essential oil and place it near gnat-prone areas. The strong scent will keep gnats at bay and leave your home smelling fresh.

13. Beer Trap

Similar to the wine trap, you can use beer to catch gnats. Pour a small amount of beer into a shallow dish and add a couple of drops of dish soap. 

The gnats will be attracted to the beer, and the dish soap will prevent them from escaping. 

Place the dish in an area where you’ve seen gnats, and it will soon start filling up with trapped insects.

14. Lemon-Scented Dish Soap Trap

Gnats are attracted to citrus scents, so using lemon-scented dish soap can be an effective trap. Fill a bowl with water and add a few drops of lemon-scented dish soap. 

The gnats will be attracted to the citrus smell, and once they land on the surface, they’ll get trapped in the soapy water. This is a simple and pleasant-smelling solution to your gnat problem.

15. Honey Trap

Honey can be used to lure and trap gnats effectively. Spread a thin layer of honey on a piece of yellow paper or cardboard. 

The bright color will attract the gnats, and once they land on the honey, they’ll get stuck. Place these traps around your home where you’ve noticed gnat activity. 

This method is not only effective but also quite natural and safe to use around pets and children.