Controlling Fungus Gnats

Fungus gnats are serious pests that sometimes become a dreadful indoor nuisance. This happens when a adult materialize in great numbers from potted plants or even flower boxes that are found to contain damp soil that is laden with humus.

They are mosquito like insects, which are attracted to light. Because of this they are most often seen at windows.

Fungus gnat larvae, or maggots, feed in soil that has a high amount of organic matter. They do injure the root systems of bedding plants such as poinsettias, geraniums, cyclamens, carnations and African violets.

Foliage plants are also prone to gnats.

The symptoms of the various plants that are suffering from the serious pest are possible foliage loss, yellowing, poor growth, loss of vigor, and even sudden wilting. These pests become extremely serious when an infestation occurs in mushroom houses.

Although they are completely harmless to humans as well as animals, they do inhabit dead plant materials and fungi.

If you believe that you have these pests, a completely and reliable identity is best if you take a specimen to your local agent or local garden center.

Getting rid of fungus gnats

The prevention process controlling fungus gnats is twofold.

Carefully inspect new plants prior to purchase, and do not take your plants outside for “a bit of sun and fresh air” then bring them back in the house. This type of gnat control is almost guaranteed to create an infestation.

Remember that plants can benefit from direct sunlight through a window, or even utilize an artificial light. Lack of sufficient lighting is the most ordinary factor that limits the growth of plants in many spots of your home.

Purchasing supplementary electric lighting ordinarily is the easiest and definitely the least expensive manner to provide just enough light for plants that you feel do not receive an adequate amount of natural light rather than take them outdoors.

Also, be sure and use only sterile potting soil. Remember that these garden pests love overly moist plantings, thus do not over water your plants, nor have potted plants that do not have adequate drainage.

These pests need damp soil to begin their lives.

If your home is heavily infested, you may consider purchasing Electrocuting Flytrap, in order to attract and therefore kill many adults at night.

There is also a plethora of Safe sticky traps that can be hung over the plant that will cause the pests to stick to the cards which when no longer useful can be thrown away, unfortunately though that only traps the adults, and does nothing against their larvae, or maggots.

In order to deal with that, it is highly suggested that you avail yourself of either a commercial pest control company, or remove the offending plants.

Those who are plagued by these garden pests ordinarily use naled (Dibrom), diazinon, or methoxychlor. Commercially run greenhouse growers have been known to use other means such as Gnatrol, or Vectobac. Most licensed commercial pest companies use oxamyl (Vydate

Do keep in mind that preventing them is much easier than eradicating them, and besides you want to keep your plants healthy so that you can enjoy them for a long time to come!

Top of fungus gnats page