how to get rid of fungus gnats

How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats

Make the Natural Habitat Inhospitable.
Use a Soap-and-Water Mixture.
Use Sand or Gravel.
Dispose of the Top Layer of Soil Outdoors.
Don't Overwater Your Houseplants.
Water From the Bottom.
Store Extra Potting Soil in an Airtight Container.

How do I get rid of fungus gnats in my house?

However, instead of throwing the plant out, you can get rid of pesky fungus gnats using household vinegar.

Pour one-quarter to one-half inch of apple cider vinegar into a clear or semi-opaque plastic cup, creating an effective fungus gnat trap. ...
Place the vinegar trap near your houseplant and check it daily.

How do you get rid of fungus gnats fast?

Mix one part peroxide with four parts water, and pour it through the soil at the root zone until it begins to come out of the base of the pot. The peroxide kills fungus gnat larvae on contact. Neem oil is also an effective soil drench to combat fungus gnat larvae.

What kills fungus gnats?

Mix one part 3% hydrogen peroxide with four parts water. Allow the top layer of your soil to dry, and then water your plants with this solution as you normally would. The soil will fizz for a few minutes after application; this is normal. Contact with hydrogen peroxide will kill fungus gnat larvae on contact.

How do you get rid of gnats in potting soil?

If those pests just won't quit, you can use a solution of water and soap in a spray bottle to spray into the top layer of soil (or pour it directly on top). You can also do this with an organic insecticidal soap or Neem oil mixture; these natural pesticides should be effective after a few treatments.

Will fungus gnats go away on their own?

As the adults lay their eggs and multiply, the infestation continues to grow. Rest assured, however, that you can get rid of fungus gnats without having to trash all of your plants. If the infestation is new, let the soil of infected plants dry out completely, which kills the larvae.

Do fungus gnats like coffee grounds?

"While coffee grounds contain a small amount of nitrogen, these kitchen scraps are not actually fertilizers—not yet," Leslie F. ... Uncomposted kitchen scraps of all kinds can also create the conditions for mold as well as attract unwelcome fungus, bacteria, and fungus gnats to your plant, adds Halleck.

How do I get rid of gnats permanently?

5 Ways to Get Rid of Gnats

Make an apple cider vinegar trap. Place a few tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, a few drops of dish soap, and a tablespoon of sugar in a bowl and stir the contents. ...
Make a fruit trap. ...
Pour diluted bleach down the sink or tub drain. ...
Make a candle trap. ...
Hire a professional pest control company.

Will Dawn dish soap kill fungus gnats?

Every other time you water, add one tablespoon of liquid dish soap and one teaspoon of white vinegar to the water. Eventually it will kill the fungus gnat larvae. ... The gnats love it, and will fall into it and die.

Does hydrogen peroxide kill fungus gnats?

A hydrogen peroxide soil soak will address the root problem of fungus gnats: the larvae. Hydrogen peroxide cleanses the soil and the larvae along with it. A 4:1 ratio of water to 3% hydrogen peroxide would be safe for plants and effective for killing off fungus gnat larvae.

How do I get rid of gnats in my plants naturally?

Here's how to naturally treat your houseplants and get rid of gnats in the soil.

Make the Natural Habitat Inhospitable.
Use a Soap-and-Water Mixture.
Use Sand or Gravel.
Dispose of the Top Layer of Soil Outdoors.
Don't Overwater Your Houseplants.
Water From the Bottom.
Store Extra Potting Soil in an Airtight Container.

How do you prevent fungus gnats in soil?

Keeping the top of the soil dry will help stop fungus gnats from laying their eggs in the soil. If needed, add perlite to your potting mix to help improve drainage, especially if you tend to overwater. Also, be sure to empty any excess water out of the saucers under your container plants.

At what temperature do fungus gnats die?

The fungus gnat – a common indoor pest that thrives in the overwatered soil of potted plants or greenhouses – lives out its life cycle in three to four weeks at temperatures of 77 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

How long do fungus gnats live?

Life Cycle

They prefer to lay eggs where fungus is growing. Indoors, they occur anytime of year. The larvae feed for about 2 weeks and then pupate near the soil surface within thread chambers. After 3 to 7 days in the pupal stage, adults emerge and live for about 8 days.

Will hydrogen peroxide kill my plants?

Hydrogen peroxide is also made up of the same atoms that water is made from with the exception of an additional oxygen atom. ... So, the answer to the question “does hydrogen peroxide hurt plants” is a resolute no, provided the strength is sufficiently diluted.

Are soil gnats bad?

Adult fungus gnats don't damage plants or bite people; their presence is primarily considered a nuisance. Larvae, however, when present in large numbers, can damage roots and stunt plant growth, particularly in seedlings and young plants.

What do fungus gnat eggs look like?

Fungus gnat females lay small, yellowish-white eggs on the surface of moist soil. The larvae that hatch are legless, with white or transparent bodies and shiny black heads. Fully grown, larvae measure approximately 1/4 inch in length.

What causes fungus gnats?

Fungus gnats infest homes when there is enough moisture in the property for fungi to grow. Water-related issues from leaky pipes in your basement to a malfunctioning appliance. However, the most common cause of fungus gnat infestations is over-watered indoor plants.

What scents do gnats hate?

Much like spraying yourself with particular scents, burning candles or tiki torches can help keep gnats away, so long as you use the right smells. Citronella is a natural bug repellent and will help to ward off more than just gnats. If you don't have one, try using lavender or lemon-scented candle.

Do dryer sheets repel gnats?

Bounce dryer sheets have been found to repel adult fungus gnats in the laboratory. Raymond Cloyd and his colleagues at Kansas State University tested whether Bounce original scent dryer sheets effectively repelled fungus gnats as compared to moist growing media or water.

How do you use coffee grounds in a potted plant?

"The best way to use coffee grounds for plants is adding it to your compost pile, and then mixing a little bit of that compost in with your potting soil," Marino says. Diluting coffee grounds works the same way as diluting fertilizer: using just a teaspoon of coffee grounds per gallon of water.