What is this insect? How do I eliminate it? I have had it for months. - Ask Extension
Wha
Knowledgebase
What is this insect? How do I eliminate it? I have had it for months. #924456
Asked February 11, 2026, 1:33 PM EST
Wha
Freeborn County Minnesota
Expert Response
Why is the message I have typed numerous times not staying?
Sorry, your picture of the insect is not detailed enough to be identified. It appears to be some kind of fly. Is it outside your house? Deos it appear to be attracted to light?
If possible, can you capture one or more in a container or plastic bag and then freeze it to kill it without damage. Then take a close up picture of it. These web pages may help with identification and removing it.
https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/15740
https://insectid.wisc.edu/
If possible, can you capture one or more in a container or plastic bag and then freeze it to kill it without damage. Then take a close up picture of it. These web pages may help with identification and removing it.
https://www.bugguide.net/node/view/15740
https://insectid.wisc.edu/
Your initial message came through just fine. See my reply above.
I have never seen it outside of my home.
It is definitely attracted to light where I sit and the Zevo light trap.
They are so tiny.
I will try to capture, but I am not optimistic.
Rose Olmsted
I checked on the Zevo Insect trap. It attracts fruit flies, gnats, house flies. If you have fruit sitting outside your refrigerator, it may be attracting these insects. More likely these are gnats which lay eggs in container plants when they are outdoors in summer. Then the eggs hatch when the plants are brought indoors in the fall. The insects then fly around looking for light. From an online search on gnats.
- Houseplant Care: Allow soil to dry out completely between waterings. Add a layer of sand or diatomaceous earth to the soil surface to prevent eggs from hatching.
- Good luck.
