How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats in Houseplants | Fungus Gnats Treatment

Some links in this post may be affiliate links

Fungus Gnats in Houseplants

Fungus gnats are a major problem in houseplants. The small, black, flying adult is harmless.

The problem is that it lays eggs in the soil which hatch into tiny, black-headed maggots which are harmful.

These black-headed Fungus Gnat maggots normally feed on organic matter in the soil but they can devour young roots.

The Fungus Gnats are troublesome in over-damp conditions. They multiply very fast and easily spread from one plant to another.

Be on the look out for these black fly-like insects and take immediate control as they can infest your entire houseplants collection.

To prevent infestation; cover the soil surface with a layer of sand or ornamental stones and let the soil slightly dry out between waterings.

Cover the soil surface with a layer of sand or ornamental stones and allow the soil dry out slightly between waterings.

This prevents the gnats from getting to the soil as well as discourage their infestation.

The yellow sticky traps, trap the adult fungus gnats and keep them from laying eggs.

The adults are attracted to the yellow color. Insert the cards in the soil such that they are below the plant foliage.

As the gnats fly about, they will get stuck in the sticky card, after which you can discard the card.

Drench the infected soil with a solution of 4 parts water to 1 part rubbing alcohol. Repeat the treatment until the problem is cleared.

The alcohol acts by killing the fungus gnats larvae thereby preventing multiplication and further destruction.

Drench the infected soil with a solution of 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 4 parts water and repeat as necessary.

Hydrogen peroxide kills the fungus gnat larvae, therefore prevents further multiplication.

Sprinkle Mosquito bits over the surface of the infected soil and water them in. Repeat until the problem is cleared.

The mosquito bits discourage the fungus gnats from infesting the soil. They deter the gnats.

Lightly spray all the plant surfaces with a Pyrethrin-based insecticidal spray and spray the infected soil to thoroughly moisten the surface.

Drench the infected soil with the Pyrethrin-based insecticidal solution as per the manufacturer's recommendations.

Allow the top 2 in. of soil to dry out before watering. This deters the fungus gnats from infesting the soil.

The Pyrethrin-based insecticidal solution is effective against the adult fungus gnats as well as the larvae.