Trap Those Gnats with These Inspirational Fungus Gnat Trap Ideas

Are you tired of constantly swatting at those pesky fungus gnats that won’t leave you OR your beloved plants alone? Believe it or not, we’ve had our fair share of gnats swimming around in our cups of tea!

Luckily, we’ve rounded up some ingenious fungus gnat trap ideas from other indoor plant enthusiasts to help you regain peace of mind.

Inspirational Fungus Gnat Trap Ideas

You’re in the right place if you want to glean some creative gnat trap ideas. This is an updated list of ingenious gnat traps that we’ve seen created by plant parents experiencing the same woes.

However, if you are after step-by-step instructions for building your own DIY fungus gnat traps, then we’d recommend jumping over to our other guides:

How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats – FOREVER!

Traps (like the ones we showcase in this round-up) are helpful in reducing the number of those pesky adult fungus gnats.

However, these traps can only help resolve one part of a much larger problem.

So, here’s the thing. There’s more to these little buggers than meets the eye. They also have a sneaky life as eggs and larvae.

We know. It’s not enough to deal with the grown-ups. We have to think about the babies, too! Trapping the adults certainly helps, but it’s like plucking weeds without getting to the root – they’ll keep coming back!

We need a game plan covering all the bases: eggs, larvae, and adults. It’s all about stopping them from hatching in the first place and nipping any larvae in the bud before they can grow up and start the cycle all over again. Trust us, it’s the only way to ensure our leafy friends can live peacefully.

Now, if you’re scratching your head about how to do this, don’t worry. We’ve got a comprehensive guide right HERE.

It’s got everything you need to get savvy about dealing with these pests at every stage of their life cycle.

So go ahead and give it a look – your plants will thank you!

Fungus Gnat Trap Ideas – STOP Swatting and Get Trapping!

If you have been around the Garden Bench Top before, you know we’d choose organic common household product DIY solutions over any commercial product full of chemicals.

The good news is many fungus gnat trap ideas can be made with things that are likely already on your home kitchen counter.

So, to get your creative juices flowing – here are just a few innovative gnat traps that other indoor plant collectors have built to trap those annoying insects.

Recycled Plastic Bottle Gnat Trap

Why is this simple trap so effective? It’s all about temptation and deception!

Gnats are enticed by the scent of fermenting liquid, which lures them down through the small opening (the funnel) into the bottle. Once inside, their attempts to get back out prove futile due to the design of this clever trap.

Plus, this trap is eco-friendly – recycling plastic bottles for good use!

Secondly, it’s highly cost-effective – all the materials required are common household items!

Lastly, it’s non-toxic and safe for homes with pets and small children, unlike some commercial insect control methods that may contain harsh chemicals. So not only do you get rid of these winged nuisances, but you also do so in a harm-free manner!

Kitchen Items for Gnat Traps

Catching gnat bugs can be a piece of cake with simple kitchen items. Here’s an eco-friendly recipe guide to building your own gnat traps at home.

You only need some apple cider vinegar, a few tablespoons of sugar, detergent, and a jar.

Bait and Lure Gnat Traps

Okay, the above gnat traps may not be exactly what we had in mind, but we admit the above image did make us smile.

The entire concept of a successful gnat trap is to entice the fungus gnats into the trap and keep them there. So, while fungus gnats (or fruit flies, for that matter) may not be able to read, we use the appeal of smell with sweet substances like diluted sugar water or ripe fruit.

Cling Film Gnat Trap for the Win

Let’s now turn our attention to DIY cling film gnat traps, shall we?

Here’s how you do it: First, grab a small bowl and fill it with apple cider vinegar (ACV)—you need enough to cover the bottom.

Gnats love ACV, believe us!

Then, stir in a few drops of dish soap; this breaks the surface tension, ensuring those pesky gnats can’t escape once they’re lured in.

Next, stretch some cling film across the top of the bowl and seal it tight.

Lastly, punch holes into the cling film – big enough for gnats to crawl through.

The best part is that these ingredients are incredibly affordable and easy to find in your home.

Making these traps yourself rather than buying commercial solutions saves quite a bit. Plus, fewer pests mean less likelihood of needing to replace damaged plants.

Bubble Gnat Trap

One particular type of Gnat trap we love is one that uses bubbles to attract and drown those pesky fungus gnats.

The bubbles enhanced with surfactants ensnare the gnats once they land on the liquid bait.

These bubble-based traps have benefits over others as they are eco-friendly, safe for indoor use, and require common household materials.

Plus, it’s cost-effective since you can reuse them again by replacing the liquid content – a simple but superb defense for our plant buddies!

Yellow Sticky Fungus Gnat Traps

Okay – this one isn’t exactly homemade. But that doesn’t mean you cannot make your own yellow-sticky gnat traps. Here’s a quick step-by-step guide:

Gather Your Materials:
Yellow construction paper (as gnats are attracted to this color)
Scissors
A hole punch
String or thread
A brush
Honey or any sweet sticky syrup
Cut the Yellow Paper: Cut the yellow construction paper into strips. The size of the strips will depend on the size and number of your plants, but about 1 inch wide and 4 inches long is a good starting point.
Punch Holes: Use a hole punch to create a hole at one end of each strip.
Apply Sticky Substance: Use a brush to apply a thin layer of honey or sticky syrup on one side of each paper strip.
Attach String: Cut your string into lengths to allow your traps to hang just above your plants. Feed one end of each string length through the hole in a paper strip and tie it off.
Hang Traps: Hang each trap near the plant(s) affected by fungus gnats. The gnats should be attracted to yellow and get stuck when they land on the syrup.
Monitor and Replace Traps: Regularly check your traps and replace them when they are full of gnats.

The Funnel Trap for Gnats

Funnel traps work wonders against pesky fungus gnats by cashing in on their flight paths. Lured in by bait, they fly into the funnel and can’t escape due to their upward flight tendency.

These traps are a win-win! They’re eco-friendly, pest damage is minimized since no harmful pesticides are used, and you can conveniently monitor the infestation level.

These budget-friendly traps are DIY-ready with stuff like plastic bottles and yeast. Give it a go!

Here’s another ingenious funnel DIY gnat trap with many flying victims. Plus, as you can see in the image, it also catches fruit flies 😉

This trap for gnats was made from a coffee filter with the end cut off. All you need is a bit of creativity and thinking outside of the box.

Outside of the Box Gnat Traps

While we are on the topic of thinking outside the box, a clever indoor plant owner upcycled an old spice jar as a fungus gnat trap.

All you need is a sticky, sweet liquid to set the trap.

The Natural Homemade Gnat Trap

Why not let nature do the work?

You’ll be pleased to know some excellent options in carnivorous plants that will keep those pesky fungus gnats at bay.

Venus Flytrap (Dionaea Muscipula): This classic carnivorous plant is a prevalent choice for gnat control. With its uniquely shaped leaves that snap shut when an unsuspecting insect wanders inside, it’s both efficient and fascinating to witness.
Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia): These fabulous plants take a different approach by luring gnats into their tubular leaves with sweet nectar. Once inside, the gnats find a slippery surface they cannot climb out of and eventually succumb.
Butterworts (Pinguicula): With their sticky leaves capable of capturing small insects like fungus gnats, this plant is effective and adds beauty to your collection.

Instead of relying on pesticides or chemicals, utilizing carnivorous plants is a natural and undeniably interesting way to manage pest problems.

They add diversity to your indoor garden and are guaranteed conversation starters for anyone peeping into your urban jungle!

Sticky and Sweet Fungus Gnats Trap

Dealing with fungus gnats can be a bit of a challenge, but don’t worry, we’ve got this! There are quite a few substances that make for potent homemade traps.

One such is apple cider vinegar or just plain white vinegar. Both attract these pesky gnats with their fruity scent. Pour some in a jar or bowl, add a drop of liquid dish soap to break the surface tension (so the gnats can’t just float), and —your DIY fungus gnat trap is ready.

Beneficial nematodes are another fantastic and organic solution. They might sound alien (trust me, they’re not extraterrestrial!), but these are naturally occurring microscopic worms present in healthy soil that feast on gnat larvae.

How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats Forever!

Ready to eliminate those pesky flying fungus gnats for good?

Check out our comprehensive Fungus Gnat Guide with our three-pronged approach:

How to Eliminate Fungus Gnats Forever

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