Getting rid of gnats in the house?

Question

Within the last week, we have developed a major gnat problem. I kill probably 50 a day. The strange part is that they're not in the kitchen - just the front window and our back patio door, and I rarely see them flying around. I tried the vinegar with dishwashing liquid remedy that I keep finding everywhere online - I found about 5 bugs in the mixture after two days, which is pretty much worthless.

I have made a serious mess squishing the gross little things all over the windows, but they just keep coming back. I even banished my houseplant to the porch outside because I thought maybe they were coming from it.

Does anyone have any idea of how to get rid of these stupid things? (I do have a curious cat, so nothing too toxic, please...)

Answer 1

I would wash everything down with your favorite disinfectant that is proper for the areas....then keep using an equaled mix of vinegar and water on the area. Something is causing it...even if it was a small spill. We had this problem for almost a year in a huge physicians office we didn't even eat in (ew no surgery either) eventually they just went away....idk it's a pain!

Answer 2

Sounds like fungus gnats.  Does your banished houseplant seem sickly?  If it's the source, then they're probably attacking its roots.  

Permethrin is the only really easy solution for around the house.  Or a bug bomb - move kitty to a friend's house or a kennel for a couple of days.  

As for the plant, you need to get your hands on some Bt (Bacillus Thurigensis) and that will kill the larvae, also spray the plant and the soil down with permethrin so when the little flies land on it, they get poisoned and die.  This will not affect your cat unless it eats the plant.  

Answer 3

Get a plant that eats insects.