There may be house plant gnats if you noticed a sudden raise in the numeral of tiny fruit tent-fly vaporize or crawling around in the soil of your plant life , especially after you water them . Fungus gnats are attracted to moist dirt and can breed and distribute tight . The larvae feeds on organic matter and in life-threatening cases , can feed on the root of plant . They re also highly annoying .
We ’ll talk about how to get free of gnats on plants and the good ways to keep fungus gnats away further down this web log .
Monstera leaves Photo byJeremy LeeonUnsplash
It begin with just a few petite flying particle you point out dash around your beloved houseplants Upon closer review , you realize they are modest flies that seem to be living in the potting soil Annoyed , you shoo them away only to have more appear whenever you irrigate your plant .
If this scenario sounds conversant , you likely have a fungus gnat infestation . While they wait like miniature mosquito , these common yet bothersome insect are not at all related . Getting disembarrass of fungus gnat takes some persistency , but is very accomplishable with the right technique .
In this comprehensive usher , we ’ll cover everything you need to know about identifying , preventing , and safely eliminate fungus gnats from houseplants . No more pesky flies bothering your indoor oasis !
What Exactly Are Those Tiny Flies Buzzing Around Houseplants?
Fungus gnats are midget flying insects about 1/8 inch long that look unmistakably similar to mosquitos . However , they do not burn humans or pets .
These delicate black fly with long legs get their name from their affinity for dampish soil that control fungi and decay constitutional matter . This is typically found in the Earth’s surface layer of pot mix where houseplant develop .
While grownup fungus gnats do n’t directly harm plants , their larvae provender on flora roots and can injure seedling or little plants . The larvae are tiny blank worms about 1⁄4 inch long find burrow through moist ground .
Fungus gnats are drawn to indoor plant because of the idealistic humid environment and consistent moisture found in potting soil . They lie eggs in top layers of filth and mulch that sustain their development .
If you inspect the soil and see small white larvae wriggling around , there is no doubt fungus gnat have taken up residence . The adult you see flying nearby have emerged from those larvae mature in the soil .
What Attracts Fungus Gnats to Houseplants?
Fungus gnat are attracted to the damp , decomposing thing in potting mixture , so anything that encourages these conditions can draw them in . Here are coarse culprits that result to gnat plague :
Keeping soil consistently moist by watering too often or not permit excess drain out creates an environment where gnat thrive . Good potting recitation that fend off these issues are key to preventing gnat trouble .
How to Prevent Fungus Gnats in Houseplants
Stop fungus gnats from invading your houseplants by following these proactive steps :
It ’s much easy to kibosh an plague before it start ! Adopting these simple practices makes your works far less likable to fungus gnats .
How to Get Rid of Existing Fungus Gnat Infestations
If those plaguy flies are already hum around your flora , take action to sound off them out tight using these proficiency :
Allow Soil to Dry Out
Since fungus gnat larvae require moisture , allowing soil to dry out out more between lachrymation helps eliminate them . Wait until the top inch of ground is dry before water again .
Use Sticky Traps
Yellow viscid traps lure grownup gnat looking for a place to lay eggs . Stick traps into soil or suspend just above the surface . Replace frequently as they fill up with trapped gnats .
Apply a Sand or Gravel Mulch Layer
Covering soil with a 1 inch stratum of moxie , gravel , belittled stones , or horticultural grit prevents adults from attain the soil to situate egg .
Treat Soil with BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis)
This natural bacteria kills gnat larvae but is dependable for plant . employ as a soil drench every 5 - 7 days until adults are gone . BTI is sold under brand names like Mosquito Bits , Gnatrol , etc .
Use Horticultural Oil Sprays
Lightly mist over plant and soil with neem , horticultural , or insecticidal vegetable oil muddle both larvae and adult on middleman . Apply weekly for 2 - 3 calendar week .
Apply Beneficial Nematodes
Microscopic worms kill gnat larvae by infecting them with a lethal bacteria . Use Steinernema feltiae species every 4 calendar week until fungus gnat disappear .
Repot Plants with Fresh Soil
For life-threatening infestations , polish off all old potting admixture , rinsing roots , and repot flora in sterile territory to amply eliminate fungus gnat larvae .
Discard Heavily Infested Plants
In extreme cases , it may be better to discard badly infested plants and initiate over fresh rather than trying to salve them .
With persistence using these proficiency , you could annihilate repeat or severe fungus gnat plague . Be vigilant about prevent their income tax return by adopting good tearing and ground recitation .
Natural Predators That Eat Fungus Gnats
In accession to conventional control methods , sure beneficial predatory insect and mites can be used to biologically curb fungus gnat as part of an IPM ( integrate pest management ) approaching :
Rove Beetles : These ground - inhabit predators feed on gnat larvae in grime . Dalotia coriaria is a species used in greenhouses and indoor plantscapes .
Predatory Mites : Several mite species like Hypoaspis miles and Stratiolaelaps scimitus consume fungus gnat larvae and eggs . They live in the soil .
Nematodes : As remark above , beneficial entomopathogenic roundworm parasitize and bolt down gnat larva . The species Steinernema feltiae is effectual .
Predatory Thrips : Tiny thrip like the ring nursery thrips ( Aeolothrips spp . ) prey on fungus gnat larvae and eggs in potting soil .
These biocontrol organism can be alternate or combined with other method for enhanced fungus gnat direction . Speak to your local garden heart for option .
When Do Fungus Gnats Tend to Be Most Problematic?
Fungus gnat often first become evident on houseplants brought alfresco for the summer . Wet dirt and spilling water makes pots an attractive breeding ground .
Plants kept outdoors may then develop gnat infestations that you only mark upon move them back inside for wintertime . So cautiously check all houseplants before wreak them indoors .
Fungus gnats can successfully reproduce year - bout on indoor plants . But they run to attain peak populations in spring and fall when humidness is higher . Be especially wakeful about watering properly during these times .
If you stay on top of the situation through preventive bill and readily obviate new infestations , fungus gnat do n’t have to take over your houseplants .
A few aviate around the flora is usually nothing to care about . But do n’t let populations spring up out of control . Stay proactive and banish fungus gnat from your indoor plant promised land for good !
How To Get Rid Of Gnats in Plants Naturally
One way to keep gnat forth from houseplants that I do n’t see suggest enough is to repot your industrial plant , peculiarly if you just buy it . Many plants in big box storage are potted in potting grease that is very impenetrable . This is pure for fungus gnat larvae to lay their egg .
Satin pothos on Cactrella treillage from Treleaf
Next , you need to buy a old bag of nice quality invigorated ground . I ve notice a figure of mainstream pot grease bags already infested with gnats and thripid .
repot that flora is one of the most good ways of disembarrass fungus gnats . This uproot all the larval stage .
Plants being repotted Photo byvadim kaipovonUnsplash
Mix adequate share of water and hydrogen peroxide . Use this resolution for your next watering session . The hydrogen hydrogen peroxide will direct the larvae but not injure your industrial plant . Hydrogen hydrogen peroxide will also help with any root rot . The fungus gnat larvae will ordinarily be move in 1 - 2 lachrymation . check that to follow up with plant food . While atomic number 1 peroxide is not bad for aim gnats it will also aim any good bacteria as well .
What are fungus gnats?
Fungus gnat are like tiny mosquito part of the Bradysia specie . Their body are small ( less than fruit rainfly and thrip ) , their wing can be exculpated or grey , and they have antennae . Fungus gnats position eggs in organic matter , like grime . The adult can lay up to 200 egg in the first in of soil . These fungus gnat eggs will brood in three to four weeks . The gnat will then start eating fungi , dead plants , and sometimes even plant root . Adult fungus gnats do nt feed and ca nt sting , they re typically light fliers and only live 7 - 10 days .
Prayer plant “ Lemon Lime ” Photo byMadisonInouye
Fungus gnat infestation usually happen in the transition from wintertime to bound and from summertime to light . Fungus gnat adults can live in the soil of any houseplant that was left outdoors during the maturate time of year from summertime to fall down . When these houseplants are land back deep down , population will drastically increase due to the warm temperatures in houses .
