As people who adore plants, we never want to see them suffer at the hand of pests. But we really don’t want pests in our houseplants because that brings the problem inside—gross! Fungus gnats are nasty little winged bugs that look like tiny mosquitoes and are about the size of fruit flies. However, these plant flies don’t do as much damage as some other pests, and they’re also pretty simple to get rid of.
As a home gardener, few things are more frustrating than realizing your lovely houseplants or vegetable garden are infested with pesky gnats. These small flies love laying their eggs in moist, nutrient-rich soil where their larvae can feast on plant roots, fungi, and decaying matter Left unchecked, gnats can weaken and even kill plants
The good news is there are several effective and natural remedies to get rid of gnats in plant soil. With a multi-pronged approach, you can eliminate current infestations and prevent future ones. Here are the best methods:
Identify the Gnat Species
The first step is confirming you actually have gnats and identifying the type. The two most common gnat pests are
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Fungus gnats – These look like tiny mosquitos and thrive in damp soil. They lay eggs that hatch into larvae which damage roots.
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Root gnats – Slightly larger and attracted to rotting vegetation. Their larvae feed aggressively on plant roots.
Knowing which gnat you’re dealing with will help guide the best treatment plan. Pay attention to where you see the gnats flying and if they seem drawn to certain plants
Adjust Watering Habits
Gnats need moisture to breed. By letting the top layers of your plant’s soil dry out between waterings, you remove the ideal environment for gnats to reproduce. Be sure not to underwater either. Proper soil moisture discourages gnats.
Use Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide kills gnat larvae on contact by disrupting their breathing. Mix 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide with 4 parts water. Slowly pour this solution over the soil until it drains from the bottom. Repeat weekly.
Apply Neem Oil
Neem oil smothers gnat larvae and eggs when mixed with water and poured onto infested soil. It’s natural and safe for plants. Dilute according to package instructions and reapply every 1-2 weeks.
Introduce Beneficial Nematodes
These microscopic worms seek out and kill gnat larvae in the soil without harming plants. Apply nematodes every 2-6 weeks according to label instructions. They are a natural, chemical-free solution.
Set Out Traps
Sticky yellow traps draw in adult gnats while apple cider vinegar traps lure them in to drown. Use both together to control current populations. Place the traps near infested plants and empty them often.
Remove Topsoil
In severe infestations, removing the top 2-3 inches of soil will get rid of most of the larvae and eggs. Replace it with fresh, sterile potting mix. Completely replace soil for houseplants every year.
Improve Drainage
Excess moisture promotes fungal growth that gnats feed on. Ensure pots have drainage holes and use well-draining soil mixes. Allow houseplants to completely dry out between waterings.
Discard Infested Plants
Toss any plants that are too far gone from gnat damage. Remove them from the area immediately so larvae don’t spread. Sterilize pots before replanting.
Keep Areas Clean
Don’t give gnats places to breed. Remove piles of dead leaves and rotten plants. Keep greenhouse floors swept. Eliminate standing water. Promptly clean dropped or rotting fruits/veggies.
Use Floating Row Covers
These lightweight cloths cover plants to create a barrier against pests. Use them to protect seedlings and veggies from gnats. Anchor the edges with boards or stones.
Apply Diatomaceous Earth
This powdery chalk made from fossilized algae damages the protective coating on gnat larvae. Sprinkle it on the soil to kill them without harming plants. Reapply after rain or watering.
Spray Plants with Neem Oil
In addition to using neem oil in the soil, you can mix it with water and spray plants to kill any adult gnats resting on leaves. Ensure complete coverage under leaves too.
Set Out Pheromone Traps
Traps containing pheromones specifically target adult fungus gnats and disrupt their breeding cycle. Place them near plants and check often to remove caught gnats.
By taking a multi-faceted approach and attacking gnats throughout their life cycle, you can eliminate infestations in your garden soil. Adjusting irrigation, using organic treatments, managing plants properly, and deploying traps will soon have your plants free of these annoying pests. Pay close attention and act quickly at the first sign of gnats before they have a chance to populate and cause extensive damage.
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Gnats
Natural control methods should always be your first step when dealing with any pest. Chemicals are sometimes needed as a second line of defense, but natural and organic solutions are usually the best for your plants and home. Luckily, fungus gnat populations can be stopped and wiped out naturally if they are found and treated in time.
Make traps out of sugar and dish soap. A simple homemade trap made with a tablespoon of sugar is an effective natural way to get rid of fungus gnats. You can catch these annoying bugs by putting a few drops of dish soap and a tablespoon of sugar in a small container and filling it with water. Gnats are drawn into the solution by the sugar, and when they try to land on the dish soap, they drown because it breaks the surface tension of the water. Putting these traps near plants that have fungus gnats can help lower the number of fungus gnats without using chemicals, which is a safer and more environmentally friendly way to get rid of pests.
Avoid overwatering: Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out before watering your houseplants. This will not only keep fungus gnats from choosing your plant as their new home, but it will also stop them from reproducing and help reduce the number of gnats that have already moved in. Remember that different plants have different watering needs, so understanding your plant’s specific requirements is crucial.
You can use sticky traps for more than just mice. They’re an easy way to get rid of many pests. Place them directly on the surface of the soil, and you’ll catch gnats that are on the move. To stop them from laying eggs, take them out of the trap or throw it away and replace it often (every two to three days). Yellow traps are especially efficient at attracting these insects. Additionally, you can make your own sticky traps using bright yellow paper coated with a sticky substance.
Make traps with cider and vinegar. To do this, mix equal parts of cider and vinegar in a shallow dish or can, like you would to catch fruit flies. Place the trap near the affected plant or even on the soil surface inside the container. The pests will be attracted to the mixture but will drown after they land in it. To make it work better, add a drop of dish soap. This will break the surface tension and help the gnats sink into the liquid.
What are Fungus Gnats?
Fungus gnats are identifiable by their long legs, transparent wings, and affinity for nutrient-rich, moist soils. These tiny flies may be buzzing around plant pots, but you won’t see them eating the plant’s leaves directly, like some more dangerous pests do. You will see them in the ground, though, where they eat plant roots and other organic matter, like rotten fruit. Make no mistake—if left untreated, these bugs can still cause a considerable amount of damage.
Additionally, another pesky insect that can cause problems in moist environments is the drain fly. Drain flies are small, fuzzy bugs that look a lot like fruit flies. They like to live in damp, decaying organic matter, like in and around drains, sewage systems, and compost piles. In bathrooms and kitchens, where they lay their eggs in the gelatinous film that lines drain pipes, they can be a bother inside. If you don’t take care of drain fly infestations right away, they can spread quickly and become a big problem for homeowners.
Fungus gnat adults only live for about a week, but in that short time they can do a lot of damage by laying up to 300 eggs if the conditions are right. With this fast turnaround and short life cycle lasting just 3-4 weeks, populations can skyrocket pretty quickly. That’s why it’s crucial to take prompt action when you notice the signs of a fungus gnat infestation.
Easy One Step – How To Get Rid Of Fungus Gnats – 100% Guarantee – Fungus Gnat Prevention
FAQ
How do I get rid of gnats in my potted plants?
How do you get rid of gnats in soil fast?
What can I put in my potting soil to kill gnats?
Can I put vinegar in my plants to kill gnats?
How do I get rid of gnats in my garden?
Reducing the watering of your plants will allow the soil surface to dry out, which kills the gnat larvae and starts to break the life cycle of the bugs in soil, as well as helping to take care of white fuzz on soil. At the same time, you’ll need to clean up any decaying organic material from the soil surface.
How to get rid of fungus gnats in houseplant soil?
Here is a list of helpful natural ways to get rid of fungus gnats and kill these bugs in houseplant soil: Hydrogen peroxide to kill off fungus gnat larvae —Make a soil drench with hydrogen peroxide 3% to flush the soil and kill these bugs in the plant soil. This remedy helps kill off gnat larvae in the soil to break their lifecycle.
How do you get rid of gnats in a pot?
Here’s what to do: Step 1: Prepare a new pot with clean soil. Don’t reuse the old soil, as it may be contaminated with gnat larvae or eggs. Step 2: Carefully remove the plant from its pot. Step 3: Brush off as much dirt as possible from the roots. Step 4: Place your plant in the new pot, adding more soil around it as necessary.
Are fungus gnats killing your plants?
If you have a vegetable garden or potted plants in your home, one battle that you may be fighting is with soil gnats, or fungus gnats as they are more commonly known, breeding in the moist soil and eating the delicate plant roots, causing your plants to turn brown and die.