How to Get Rid of Gnats Outside

Gnats can quickly become a nuisance around patios, gardens, and outdoor spaces. Before you can effectively get rid of gnats outside, it helps to understand what type you're dealing with, whether they're simply annoying or capable of biting.

Biting and Non-Biting Gnats

There’s often confusion about what qualifies as a “gnat,” since the term is used to describe several types of small flies. For simplicity, we’ll refer to the most common indoor gnats as non-biting types, while the ones you’re more likely to encounter outside, like biting midges or black flies, fall under the biting category. While all gnats can be a nuisance, biting gnats are especially troublesome. Their bites can cause significant discomfort and may even lead to allergic reactions or secondary infections.

How to Control Non-Biting Gnats Outdoors

The most common non-biting gnats are fruit flies, fungus gnats, phorid flies, eye gnats, and moth flies. Controlling non-biting gnats outdoors is important, especially since they often breed in moist, organic areas and can eventually make their way indoors. Reducing or eliminating these outdoor breeding sites can help manage gnat populations around your home or business. Key steps include:

• Dry Out Moist Areas: Remove or manage moisture around outdoor potted plants, clogged gutters, areas near downspouts, air conditioning units with poor drainage, thick mulch, compost piles, and decaying yard debris like grass clippings and leaves.

• Fix Leaks: Repair outdoor plumbing issues that lead to standing water or sewage buildup, especially under crawlspaces where gnats can thrive.

• Maintain Sewer Systems: Ensure sewage treatment areas are properly maintained to prevent moth fly infestations nearby.

• Remove Fallen Fruit: Pick up fallen fruit promptly to prevent fruit fly breeding and avoid attracting pests like yellow jackets.

• Adjust Outdoor Lighting: Use bug light bulbs or low-voltage lighting to reduce gnat attraction at night.

• Avoid Overwatering: Be mindful not to overwater lawns and garden beds, which can create ideal gnat breeding conditions.

• Secure Trash: Keep garbage bins clean, tightly sealed, and covered at all times

Biting Gnat Control

Common biting gnats include biting midges (also known as no-see-ums, punkies, or sand flies) and black flies (often called buffalo gnats). Their bites can cause allergic reactions and irritation, making them more than just a nuisance.

Biting midges typically breed in moist coastal areas, marshes, and pools of standing water, while black flies develop in fast-moving, oxygen-rich rivers and streams. Because these breeding sites are large and difficult to access, effective control is typically handled by local or government mosquito abatement programs, making homeowner control limited and often costly.

However, there are some steps individuals can take to help reduce exposure:

• Avoid Peak Activity: Biting midges are most active during calm, evening hours. Stay indoors or in screened areas when possible.

• Use Fine-Mesh Screens: Standard window screens may not block these tiny pests. Use smaller mesh, known as “no-see-um” screens, for better protection.

• Wear Protective Clothing: Long sleeves, pants, and head nets can help minimize bites.

• Use Fans: Biting gnats are weak fliers, so outdoor fans can help keep them at bay.

• Apply Repellents: While repellents may offer some protection, they’re generally less effective against biting gnats than mosquitoes.

• Use Insecticides with Caution: Aerosol sprays have limited effectiveness and should only be used if the product is specifically labeled for biting flies, and always according to instructions.

Professional Gnat Control

While DIY steps can help reduce gnat activity around your yard, they’re not always enough, especially when biting gnats or large infestations are involved. For more reliable protection and long-term results, consider calling on professional help from an exterminator. Orkin Pros can identify breeding sites, recommend targeted treatments, and implement a customized fly control plan to help keep your outdoor spaces protected. Contact your local Orkin branch to schedule an inspection and take the first step toward reclaiming your yard.