Gnats are small irritating flies which can be seen throughout the year, but mostly in the late summer. Their bite is not dangerous as they don’t carry disease, but it could be painful and itchy. These flies not only cause problems to humans but to plants and pets, creating nuisance in the surrounding. Getting rid of them gets essential, however the primary concern is how. The best way to naturally get rid of them is by invading their hideout place with essential oils. In this article we focus on various essential oils and the process to make it.
You can spray the mentioned essential oils directly on the curtains, plants in the corner, or any such object that covers the infested area.
Peppermint Oil- It will not only repel the gnats, but its refreshing aroma is a stress reliever. In case you have pets at home, it may not be the ideal choice, as peppermint oil can cause vomiting, diarrhea, respiratory problems, skin irritation, and ulcers in their mouth, if exposed in good quantity; however, if you use a diluted solution, it is safe to use.
You can also place a peppermint plant on your balcony or at the doorstep because of its strong odor; you’d be able to keep gnats, insects, and other pests, such as mice, away from your place.
Peppermint Body Spray- In a spray bottle, add water, 1 tbsp of vinegar or vodka as a dispersant, and 15-20 drops of peppermint oil; shake this mixture before every use. However, if you can’t tolerate the strong odor of peppermint, you must try other gentle essential oils such as vanilla, lavender, rosemary, cedarwood, etc.
Lemon Essential Oil- Unlike humans, gnats hate fresh lemon’s scent. Which makes it an effective repellant for insects.
Here are some other smells that Gnats Hate: Which you can get in the form of essential oil or make it using DIY.
Lavender Essential Oil- Not only does lavender essential oil repel gnats but it can be used in the diffuser to have a pleasant and relaxing aroma in the room. Do not apply it directly to the skin or any surface, and always dilute it with other solutions.
Pine Oil- Pine oil is often used in a variety of market products such as odorants, insecticides, anti-foaming agents, wax preparations, detergents, emulsifying and wetting agents. It’s a natural mosquito repellent which also repels gnats. Besides these, it smells fresh.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil- This oil possesses pleasant and refreshing fragrance and also acts as a natural insect repellent for plants. Create a protective barrier around the plants using eucalyptus oil to deter Gnats because they hate the smell of eucalyptus.
Tea Tree Essential Oil- Tea tree oil is one of the strong options to keep the insects away without any side effects. It also helps in protecting the plants from diseases.
Rosemary- This is another effective essential oil to deter insects from your exterior and interior area of the home. Rosemary will also keep you mentally fresh.
Neem Essential Oil- It is one of the conventional methods of keeping a wide range of pests including Gnats, away from homes. The natural compound present in the neem oil acts as a protective barrier to keep gnats away and also acts as a natural fungicide.
DIY Gnat Repellents
Gnat infestation can get really bad. You may even suffer insect bites. You can keep them away from your rugs and couches using essential oils, but in order to keep them away from your body, you need a body spray; either buy one or make one at home using citronella and diluting it with the mentioned solutions-
- 30 drops of citronella essential oil
- 20 drops of lemon eucalyptus essential oil
- 30 drops of geranium essential oil
- 20 drops of lavender essential oil
- 10 drops of rosemary essential oil
- 1 tbsp of rubbing alcohol
- ½ cup witch hazel
- ½ cup either water or vinegar
- You can also add ½ tbsp vegetable glycerine (optional)
Add the mentioned essential oils in a spray bottle and add witch hazel; once appropriately mixed, add water or vinegar. Your body spray is ready; shake it properly before every use, as the oil and water will be separated every time the spray bottle is still. This DIY bug repellent won’t only keep the gnats but also mosquitos and other bugs away, too.
DIY Gnat Repellant With Pleasant Aroma
If you are sensitive to certain smells and need a DIY bug repellent, it won’t cause you trouble.
- Distilled water 150 ml
- Lemon essential oil 10 drops
- Eucalyptus essential oil 5 drops
- Peppermint essential oil 10 drops
Fill the bottle with 150 ml water and drop the essential oil in the mentioned quantity, shaking it well to mix the solution; you can also add 1 tbsp vinegar as a dispersant if you are not allergic to it. Also, try not to apply this solution on sensitive areas such as the face or wounds.
Gnat Repellent for House Plants
If your plants are the culprit of attracting gnats and bugs indoors, then you must get bug repellent for the plants, too. Do not overwater your plants, as the moisture attracts fungus gnats, which will kill your plants over time. For an additional layer of protection, consider using traps from Catchmaster. These traps are effective at capturing gnats and other pests, providing a non-toxic alternative to DIY repellents and helping you manage infestations more effectively.
Conclusion
If you don’t have pets and toddlers, every essential oil mentioned in the article is safe to use; however, you can check the toxicity to pets and kids in case you need to. The essential oils are better than chemical filled bug repellent in terms of providing a calm and fresh environment while keeping bugs away.
| Disclaimer: It’s advisable to patch test the essential oil on your skin before applying to check the sensitivity because oil may cause skin irritation. You can apply essential oil on your wrist, neck, ankles, back of knee and behind the ears. |
