Flies in your house plants can be a real annoyance and once they are established they can be difficult to eradicate. This is a guide to getting rid of fungus flies in your houseplants.
Fungus gnats live in soil. The gnats lay their eggs in the soil and their larva feed on the decomposing matter, they pupate and hatch into flying gnats which starts the cycle all over again. The best way to get rid of them is to break this cycle.
Put a thin layer (approximately 1/8th inch) of fine, clean sand on top of the soil in your containers; this keeps the adults from laying eggs and any pupae/larva from hatching. Trap any adults flying around with sticky traps or even a saucer of juice. That's it! Simple and it works! Stop the cycle and no more gnats!
Source: I work at a plant nursery and listen to gardening radio programs. A few years ago, on Garden Compass, this is what they suggested. I have been giving this tip to my customers ever since, and it has always worked, no complaints!
By LeeAnn from Redding, CA
If fungus gnats are a problem with your houseplants here is an easy solution that has worked for me every time. Fungus gnats lay their eggs and develop into adults in the top 1/2 inch of the soil and they need moisture to survive. They have a 2 week life cycle.
The simplest way to break that cycle and get rid of them is to water all your plants from the bottom only and not let the top of the soil get moist. To be doubly certain of results I always keep closer to 1 inch totally dry and extend this routine for closer to 3 weeks, just to make sure.
Also before bringing plants home look around if you see any fungus gnats flying around the plant display area. You can also check the top of the soil for them by gently disturbing the soil with your fingertip. If you see any you will be better off to find another place to buy your plants. I hope this helps.
By Sylvia from Cobalt, Ontario
How do we use Dawn Dish Detergent to remove gnats from potted plant soil in house plants?
By Myra
I have gnats on my plant, it's a palm plant, some say elephant (has large truck base). I cannot get rid of these nasty gnats. Any ideas would be a blessing. Thank you.
By Luana M.
I have little water flies. They like the damp ground in my indoor plants. How do I get them out of my house?
By Pat C.
By Robyn Fed
12/27/2011
Hairspray will kill them if you are dealing with just a few.
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Mix a solution of 1 cup balsamic vinegar and 2 or 3 tbsp. of Dawn dish soap into a small cup or several small cups. The gnats will be attracted to it and climb in.
Or you could save jars and clean them out and pour vinegar into them and poke holes in the top of the jar.
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