Summertime is an absolute blast. Unfortunately, though, we are not the only ones who love the warm weather. Pests, gnats in particular, truly come alive during the summertime. If you have recently noticed an uptick in airborne nuisances lingering around your plants, trash and light fixtures, no, you are not imagining things, and you’re not alone.

These bugs thrive in heat and humidity, so as temperatures rise, it’s not uncommon to notice an uptick in pesky unexpected visitors. Similar to us, they are also drawn to the sticky sweetness of seasonal fruits, an all-out recipe for a total gnat fest, and we honestly want no parts. On an environmental level, gnats do serve a purpose, but in our homes and kitchens, they absolutely do not. So, if you are looking for ways to get rid of gnats and take control of your kitchen, we are here to help. Here are five ways to get rid of those pesky gnats.

Clean around your sink.

The opening of your sink is like a honeymoon resort for gnats. The damp, dark food particle-ridden area under your sink is a breeding ground for gnats who lay 100 to 300 eggs in batches of 2 to 30 each. Thoroughly cleaning in and around your sink opening can limit areas of congregation for gnats.

Try some DIY methods.

There are some at-home concoctions that can be used to treat pesky gnats that won’t leave you or your kitchen alone. These mixtures typically call for some combination of vinegar, soap and sugar. You can also use some spoiling fruit or sugary wines to attract gnats. Once you have your desired mixture, place it in the area of your home where the gnats gather and place a piece of saran wrap on top to help trap the gnats.

Bring in the vanilla and lavender.

If you were looking for a new scent for the summer, this is the perfect time to try our vanilla and lavender. Why? Gnats hate these scents, so boosting up those scents in your space will help keep the pesky gnats at bay. They also dislike pine oil, peppermint, lemon and eucalyptus, so keep that in mind while doing your summer candle shopping.

Utilize lidded trash cans.

Since gnats are drawn to fruity/sweet scents and decay, high volumes of garbage are a goldmine for them, so limiting their ease of access to your trash is a must. Limiting areas where they can gather and reproduce is a great way to slow and hopefully end the infestation altogether.

Try at-home bug foggers.

Sometimes, you need to call in the big guns. An at-home bug fogger can be a great way to kill gnats on contact. Just be sure to read the instructions carefully, as some DIY foggers require you to turn off your pilot lights and leave the home for a few hours.