Gnats in my house-why, and how to get rid of?

[lecach]

We returned from vacation on Mothers Day and noticed gnats in our house. The house was only empty for 3 1/2 days. The trash had been taken out. We still are finding gnats. Mainly in the kitchen and in our master bath (which is on the second floor right about the kitchen). Our house is less than a year old and we cant seem to find any reason why these gnats would be there. This morning I killed 5 of them in my bathroom.

Does anyone have any ideas of why we would have them, and what we can do to get rid of them?

We do have a 2 1/2 year old - DH wondered if maybe he hid some food somewhere. But since we're finding them in the Master bath I just dont think that's the reason.

 

[CF'er]

Pour bleach down all your sinks and let it sit for 15 min or so then run HOT water for a few minutes. That should kill them.... they are coming from your drain pipes.

 

[lecach]

See I knew someone on here would know!

Any idea what causes them? Is it because no water ran for several days?

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

We had a problem with little bugs flying around after our vacation in February. The only place we'd see them was the kitchen and the bathroom, too. Turned out our garbage disposal needed a good cleaning. We poured some bleach down it and ran hot water (as a previous poster suggested) and they dissapeared from the entire house.

Good luck. They're really annoying.

 

[hydster]

Have you tried putting some red wine vinegar, a tbsp of honey and 3 drops of dishwashing soap in a mason jar? Cover it with saran wrap and poke some holes into the top of the saran wrap and wait. If they are fruit flies/gnats this should help. They love the honey/vinegar so they fly in but the soap kills them quickly and they don't fly out.

If you didn't leave any food out and they are in your master bath it is also possible you have sewer flies.

 

[1Prince2Princesses]

See I knew someone on here would know!

Any idea what causes them? Is it because no water ran for several days?

Probably.

 

[TurboKitty]

I think they breed in standing water, like the U bend of the pipes. Also, be sure you're not over-watering your houseplants, as they can be a breeding ground as well.

I have found that just using boiling water works in getting rid of them, but you need to do it a couple of times for a week or two, if you are looking for a greener option over the bleach or amonia.

 

[Minnie824]

yup, as others have said they're are probably drain flies. Get some drano or liquid plumber and pour it down every drain with really hot water. Should get rid of them quickly.

 

[pgsahm2]

I've heard they live in your pipes. We had them last year and I was told to put out a glass of wine, something sweet. Sure enough the next morning I had a bunch of gnats floating in the wine. Evidently they drink it and get drunk and fall in and drown. LOL

 

[poptoone]

Could it be a dead mouse in the house?

 

[kimmikayb]

I've heard they live in your pipes. We had them last year and I was told to put out a glass of wine, something sweet. Sure enough the next morning I had a bunch of gnats floating in the wine. Evidently they drink it and get drunk and fall in and drown. LOL

You're killing your gnats with alcohol poisen????? I don't know why, but this really gave me a good giggle!