houseplant brighten our homes and give us a sense of lend the open at bottom .
However , if you recently brought a houseplant , such asa sansevieria , into your domicile and find lots of little pitch-black fly front wing around it , you may have bring a bit more of the outdoors at heart than you really desire .
In that pillowcase you probably have a case of fungus gnats , which are some of the most frequently occurring houseplant pests .
Fungus gnat on plant leaf
Fungus gnats are minuscule flies that are attract to moist potting filth and compost . They lay ballock in the soil and their larvae feed on rotting works material and the soft ancestor of youthful plants . They do n’t usually cause too much damage to indoor plants , but they can be a cuss .
If you ’re unsure if you have fungus gnats , place several slices of in the buff potato on top of the soil , and check them after a few days . If you have fungus gnat larvae in the soil then you are likely to notice them clinging to the bottom of the potato gash .
There is a whole discussion section below which give more particular about fungus gnat and their lifecycle . But let ’s get flat into the detial of how you’re able to get rid of fungus gnats of course as part of yourhouse plant careroutine . Ready to get rid of gnat on star sign plants ? take on …
Fungus gnat on plant leaf
16 different ways to get rid of fungus gnats in houseplants naturally
you could spray fungus gnats with fly killer but , as well as being unhealthful , that will not be a retentive term solution . It may drink down fungus gnat flying around , but wo n’t inevitably prevent fungus gnats get back , because it wo n’t touch on any larva under the soil surface .
It is deserving understand that the grownup fungus gnat is unforesightful lived and does not bung , although they are reasonably unpleasant to have around . Any wrong to plants is make by the gnat in its larval phase , which lasts longer than the grownup lifespan .
Therefore most of the techniques for dealing with fungus gnat target the fungus gnat larva and the direction of the potting mix in your containers .
as luck would have it , there are natural way to forbid and conclude gnats in family plants . So , read on for a diverseness of suggestion on how to get rid of fungus gnats in houseplant course .
1. Isolate new houseplants
commonly , fungus gnat infix your menage and infest houseplants when a plant has been outdoors or has comefrom a gnat - infested surroundings ( perhaps from a shop pr glasshouse ) . So , if you ’re lend a new plant into your family , prevent gnat plague by keeping it away from other plants first .
Quarantine the new plant life in a separate elbow room for at least 18 day , during which clip the gnat will have rcompleted one intact lifecycle . Using tater slices , you’re able to confirm whether the works already has larvae during this period . If there ’s no sign of larvae or adult gnats in your new flora , you could move it in with your existing houseplant .
2. Let the soil dry out before watering again
Since fungus gnats fly high in moist environments , endeavor to completely dry your plant ’s territory between waterings . Ideally , do n’t water your plant for several day until the soil is dry at around one to two inches mysterious .
This is especially important in autumn when the flora development slows down and the flora will take up less water . So , unless you concentrate your watering government at that meter , the the grease will become too wet .
If you do n’t keep your stain dry , fungus gnats will lay their eggs in the moist soil . Their eggs are almost impossible to see , and you ’ll only notice them once they ’ve grown .
you may also create a DIY sub - irrigation or self - water system to keep the top of your plant ’s stain dry . For example , place the pot in a deep saucer or bowl and water into that bowl / saucer so the plant life sucks up its ask wet from below .
3. Remove decayed plant materials
Fungus gnat larvae feed on decayed , constituent matter like dead leaves and roots . remove rotted plant materials will eliminate some of the gnat ’s food generator and prevent them from thriving . So , watch your mess on a regular basis , and clean out dampish airfoil junk .
4. Change to better potting soil
Potting intermixture retain wet and this is a keen attractant of fungus gnats . So , it is a good estimation to ensure that when you store your potting composts , you forbid them from becoming too sloshed .
When top up or change the soil in your pots , use unused , dryish mix . This is a balancing human action though , because potting mixes that dry out out completely can become hard to re - wet . This is jazz assoil hydrophobicityCompletely dry potting admixture is to be avert because it will not keep on the body of water that the industrial plant ’ tooth root involve .
Some potting soils are sold as sterile . However , I am pretty dubious about these . This is partially because some are treat with chemical , which does not allot with the way that I want to garden or kick upstairs works . But it is also , because so - called sterile soilcan never stay on uninspired for longonce it is outside the processing plant and stored in the home surround .
5. Use diatomaceous earth
you may use diatomaceous world for fungus gnats . Diatomaceous globe is a naturally come mineral product . It is a Methedrine - like substance made from siliceous aqueous John Rock and helps control pests by dry out them out and killing them .
Place a level of diatomaceous earth on the top of the potting soil , or mix into the top layer . Either use a wettable form or wear a mask when deal the ware , as the fine whitened dust can get into your lungs .
Also check that you apply the food grade version of the ware , not the type that is used for swimming pool filters .
6. Use horticultural sand or grit
Horticultural sand is a gritty sand made from broken sandstone , granite , or quartz , and it helps with soil drainage . Horticultural moxie is , as the name paint a picture , more gritty , with larger size particles than the Amandine Aurore Lucie Dupin .
A layer of George Sand or gritstone on top of the soil in your pot will make it hard for the adult gnat to perforate the territory to lay eggs . Sand , in peculiar , will facilitate dry out the top level of potting mix and therefore make an inhospitable environment for the gnat eggs and larva .
7. Use Cinnamon
dry cinnamon powder is also a useful artillery against fungus gnats . Cinnamon is have sex to have anti - fungous dimension , so it works to eliminate the material in your potting compost that the gnat larvae feed on .
Cinnamon contains compounds that are toxic to fungus gnats . When sprinkled on the soil surface , cinnamon acts as a deterrent , repelling these pestilence and preventing them from lay testis near the plants . Moreover , Ceylon cinnamon tree can help see the spread of fungal disease that may appeal fungus gnat due to its antifungal properties . Overall , the integration of cinnamon as anatural root has testify efficient in combatingfungus gnat and promoting fitter plant life growth .
I have n’t sow any convincing grounds that it shoot down the larvae themselves , nor does it kills grownup flies . But when used as part of a multi - pronged approach path to fungus gnat control , it can be an effectual artillery .
Fungus gnat on plant leaf
8. Attract and Trap the Fungus Gnats
If fungus gnats are already aviate around your plant and home , you could tighten the impact by trapping and killing them .
One rude means to do this is by putting red wine or Malus pumila cider vinegar in a deep roll or glass and adding a few drops of fluid dish soap . Then , put the roll near your gnat - infested plant life , and commute the solution every duad of days . The solution will pull in the gnat and trap them , lead them to drown .
A variation on this approach is to cover the bowl with cleave film and thrust it with a few holes . The flies will creep in to get to the fluid , but will not be able-bodied to get out .
sciarid fly – fungus gnat
distinctly , this method manage with the nuisance shock from the grownup gnat , but will not bear upon the larvae or eggs that are already in the grease .
9. Use Sticky Traps
Another way to address with adult fungus gnats is with insect sticky gob . These are often used in greenhouses and are not the most attractive thing to have on display in your home . But if you hang the sticky trap up near your infested plant for a few week , you have a good chance of killing enough adult gnat to diminish the infestation significantly .
you could also make your own dirt ball traps by using a piece of yellow cardboard and applying vaseline over it . Ensure that you ’re using a sensationalistic colour since it attracts fungus gnats . Then , place your yap above your plant horizontally , and wait until it attract and traps fungus gnat .
10. Kill adult fungus gnats with soap solution spray
A nebuliser made from liquid dish Georgia home boy or Castile easy lay can be an effective lifelike curative for dealing with fungus gnats . By mixing a solution of water and a small amount of castile soap , you’re able to create a spray that can be applied to the affected plants .
To make the result tally one table spoon of soap to some two pint or 1 litre of H2O and rock well . It works by sink in through the fungus gnat ’s protective consistency surface and kill them via asphyxiation and dehydration .
11. Use hydrogen peroxide to kill the fungus gnat larvae?
Hydrogen hydrogen peroxide is said to be one of the best option for direct control of the fungus gnat larvae .
Dilute one part of hydrogen hydrogen peroxide with four part of water and pour them into your plant soil . This resolution is safe for your plants and well used weekly until the gnats are gone .
Fungus gnat – atomic number 1 hydrogen peroxide ? Does this method acting really work ? I have seen lot of website reprize the idea that hydrogen peroxide directly kill the fungus gnat larvae . Admittedly , I have not strain this method myself ( as I enunciate above , I am middling wary of any chemical substance ) , but neither have I seen any verbatim evidence that atomic number 1 peroxide bring in this room .
Fungus gnat sticky trap
What I have seen , is evidence from theUS Environmental Protection Agencythat atomic number 1 hydrogen peroxide can kill “ microbial pest on crops growing indoors and outdoors ” and that the “ active fixings prevents and controls bacteria and fungi that induce serious plant disease ” .
It therefore vocalize to me as if hydogen peroxide vote down the fungi within the damp pot soil that fungus gnat larvae feed on , rather the larvae themselves .
12. Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis
This naturally pass microbe , commonly know as BTi which is available in solution form can be watered into the ground . The microbes will attack and stamp out the fungus gnat larvae .
However , BTi is not necessarily effective on the larvae at all level of the larvae lifecycle . Therefore repeated employment is needed to secure an plague can at long last be controlled .
BTis are also notice in mosquito bits , which act to kill mosquito larvae , as well as fungus gnat larvae .
Fungus gnat larvae
13. Beneficial Nematodes
Another elbow room to get disembarrass of fungus gnats in houseplant is to use nematode .
roundworm are microscopic yarn like worm that attack and ultimately kill fungus gnat larvae . Various commercial preparations are available . But they usually come in pack that need to be mixed with water and then water into the potting soil .
The Nematodes are lively animate being , so the packs need to be refrigerated and have a short ‘ shelf lifespan ’ .
Fungus gnats: repot your plant
Do n’t practice nematodes at the same time as using other drenching techniques , such a hydrogen peroxide or Neem oil ( see below ) , as these will vote down the nematode .
14. Neem Oil
Neem crude is a naturally occurring pesticide derive from the seed of the neem tree . It worksby affecting the lifecyle of the fungus gnat larvae(and other pests ) by interfering with eating , eggs - laying and mating .
Neem oil needs to be meld with soap and water so as to produce a root that will grant the oil to be applied effectively to the potting soil around the plants .
Add 1 tablespoon or fluid goop to half a Imperial gallon of warm ( not red-hot ) water and then lend a tablespoon of neem oil . blend soundly and drench the top layer of potting soil . double every seven Clarence Shepard Day Jr. until the infestation seems to have pass away .
15. Repot Your Plant
If all else fail , or if you want a prompt solvent to fungus gnat infestation , take the industrial plant out from the can , remove most of the grunge without harm its roots , and change it to another pot with healthy , gnat - devoid soil .
Then , do n’t forget to place the gnat - overrun soil into a traveling bag , seal it , and project it away . unluckily , that stain will be unserviceable since it ’s already creep with fungus gnat or larvae , and using it again can still spread the gnat .
16. The regime
If you ’ve show this far , you ’ve believably gain that the best way to distribute with a fungus gnat infestation is through a combination of the methods outlined above . Here is a suggested regime :
What are fungus gnats?
It is worth bang a bite about fungus gnat and their lifecycle , because this will assist you understand what forge well when your are adjudicate to get rid of fungus gnats in star sign industrial plant .
Fungus gnats are small dark dyed flies of various species and families , such as Mycetophilidae , mainly from the superfamily of Sciaroidea . They are often have a go at it as Sciarid tent-fly and sometimes called works gnats or soil gnats .
Fungus gnats can be confuse with yield flies , which are attracted to over - ripe yield and vegetables in your kitchen . Fruit rainfly are light in colour than fungus gnat ( more tan that brown ) and have red eyes .
How did my indoor plant get fungus gnats?
Fungus gnats typically infest moist or unsterilised soil and potting mixture in family plant , or in plants in container in a greenhouse or indoor garden . They do n’t burn or make any damage to man or pets . However , they can be a trouble .
They run on fungi and organic thing , and the larva are have intercourse to feed on tender young flora beginning . So , although a fungus gnat infestation does not do much damage to mature industrial plant , the gnats can stunt the growth of untested works , by damaging the unfledged roots and affecting their power to take in nutrient .
Therefore , fungus gnat are chiefly just a nuisance when they are in the potting soil of any mature firm plants . But if you are raise cutting or seedlings indoors or in a nursery , they can cause literal damage .
The lifecycle of fungus gnats
distaff fungus gnats lie egg in tiny ribbons in the gaps and space in moist potting ground . The fungus gnat larvae hatch in about 3 to 4 days and then develop through 4 larval stages over about 10 days until they develop into rounded , oblong pupae .
After another 4 days or so the adult gnats emerge from the pupa . In fact it can be only 17 day or so between successive contemporaries of fungus gnats . In affectionate experimental condition maturation can be zip up and more generations can occur , more quickly .
Protect your houseplants today
So , although fungus gnats are n’t dangerous for plant , people , or pets , they can limit your flora ’s food consumption and stunt ontogenesis in young plants .
Moreover , possess them in your home base can be plaguy and unhygienic , specially when there ’s already a swarm of them .
prove the methods recommend above to prevent or get rid of fungus gnat in houseplants in your home . Once you ’ve try them , rent us acknowledge which one is the most effective for you .
Martin Cole has been an avid industrial plant buff and nurseryman for more than 20 years and have sex to verbalise and write about gardening . In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year challenger . He is a extremity of the National dahlia Society .
He antecedently live in London and Sydney , Australia , where he took a diploma form in Horticultural studies and is now base in North Berwick in Scotland . He establish GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012 . The internet site is take at everybody who loves plants or has been prick by the horticulture bug and wants to know more .
Gardening Step by Step has beencited by Thompson and Morgan , the UK ’s largest chain armor order plant life retailer , as a website that write expert horticulture content .
