Gnats In Plant Soil

The adults lay their eggs in the soil and the emerging larvae feed on the organic material in the soil as well as the plants root hairs.

Gnats in plant soil. Striker matches contain phosphorus sesquisulfide potassium chlorate and small quantities of magnesium and ferric oxide. Fungus gnats also known as soil gnats cause very little damage to houseplants. Fungus gnats are attracted to the moist soil of your houseplants.

Fungus gnat larvae thrive in moist soil and they cant survive in dry soil. The most common cause of fungus gnats in plants is overwatering so be sure to let your soil dry out in between waterings as often as possible. Make sure that your container has plenty of drainage holes to ensure excess water is drained away.

Thoroughly mix the oil and water. When the gnat eggs hatch the fungus gnat larvae will feed on the plant roots and decaying organic matter until they enter the pupae stage before becoming adults. While adults do not pose much of a problem to plants their larvae can feed on plant roots or fungi in the soil causing the plant to wilt.

If the soil is too dense its going to soak up too much water. Allow the plant soil to dry out. Water plants from the bottom.

If you spot one up close youll notice that they look a little like tiny mosquitoes but they dont bite. Using a small hand shovel scoop out the first inch of each plants soil and dispose of it. This will cause the roots to rot and attract pests like fungus gnats.

Because gnats lay their eggs in the moist soil around plants reducing excess moisture is a key to getting rid of these nuisances for good. Make sure to pack it in well. These pests are attracted to high moisture and humidity.