We love our plants, and we just want them to be happy and healthy! The last thing we want is to see them suffer at the ‘wings’ of pests. Fungus gnats are annoying little flying creatures that resemble a mosquito but are less damaging and easier to get rid of. Fungus gnats love to find nutrient-rich, moist soil and feast on plant roots and other organic matter. Adult fungus gnats only live about a week, but in that time, they can lay 300 eggs. The lifecycle is about 3-4 weeks and without attention you quickly could have a large population on your hands.
How do you know if you have Fungus gnats?
These little buggers tend to stay close to the plant because they aren’t great fliers. They tend to zig-zag around. Due to the quick life cycle of gnats, you’ll often see them in various life stages at the same time. Wet soil encourages root rot and are a breeding ground for gnats. Sometimes we bring our plants inside to overwinter and can unintentionally invite in unwanted guests. Your plants may cry for help with sudden wilting and yellowing of plant leaves, weak growth, and a sad appearance.
How do you remove Fungus gnats naturally?
Most of us try and use a natural method to remove pests, before having to bring out the big guns and use chemical treatments. Thankfully, fungus gnats can be eradicated naturally if seen and treated in time.
First option – Make sugar and dish soap traps
A simple method for removing fungus gnats involves creating a homemade trap using a tablespoon of sugar and a few drops of dish soap. The sugar acts as a bait that attracts the gnats. Once the gnats land in the container the dish soap breaks the surface tension and causes the gnats to sink and drown when they land.
Second option – Cider and Vinegar traps
Another homemade trap can be made using equal parts cider and vinegar in a shallow container. The container can be placed inside the plant on top of the soil, or nearby the plant. Just like the previous trap they are attracted to the mixture and then drown. You could add dish soap to this mixture as well.
Third option – Sticky traps
Sticky traps placed on the surface of the soil will catch those pesky gnats on the move. Traps should be removed and replaced every 2-3 days to stop them from laying eggs.
Fourth option – Avoid overwatering
A great way to avoid gnats is to not create the inviting environment in the first place. Understanding your plant’s specific water requirements will help you to avoid overwatering. You should always allow the top few inches of soil to dry out prior to watering your houseplants. Gnats will not be attracted to the moist soil, and it will help to disrupt the reproduction cycle of existing populations.
How to kill Fungus gnats on houseplants?
When it’s time to bring out the big guns you can try a few other methods. One way is to introduce beneficial Nematodes that will remove gnats at the larval stage. You could also use mosquito dunks or hydrogen peroxide. Using these in your water can kill gnats and larvae without harming your plant.
Chemicals are never the preferred method, but when it comes to protecting our plants, we will do what it takes. Hydrogen peroxide, Neem oil, and Pyrethrin sprays can be used as directed to get rid of those pesky pests.
These simple steps can help you to keep your houseplants pest free and happy all year round.
