In winter, your houseplant soil may not dry out as quickly, so you might be under attack from fungus gnats. These tiny, annoying insects that hover around your houseplants can turn your plant care routine into a battle. While they don’t harm humans, their larvae feed on organic matter in the soil, making them a real nuisance. The good news? You don’t have to live with them! With our three-prong approach, you can eliminate fungus gnats and keep them from coming back.
Dry Out Your Houseplant Soil
Fungus gnats thrive in moist soil. In fact, it’s their breeding ground. To stop them from multiplying:
Let the top inch or two of soil dry out completely between waterings. Adults lay their eggs in the top few inches, but their larvae can’t survive without moisture.
Use well-draining soil. And make sure to use pots with drainage holes to prevent excess moisture from pooling in the bottom of your pots.
Bottom water your plants. To keep the soil’s surface drier, water from the bottom. More on this later.
Attack the Gnats with Neem Oil
Neem oil is a natural insecticide that disrupts the life cycle of fungus gnats, stopping eggs from hatching and making adult gnats less likely to lay eggs in your soil. We love We The Wild’s Protect Spray. It’s an excellent choice because it’s organic, plant-safe, and easy to use. Bonus: It actually smells good because of added essential oils. Stop by the shop and pick up a bottle today!
How to use it:
Shake the bottle well.
Spray the surface of the soil.
Mist plant leaves to repel adult gnats and other pests.
Repeat every few days until gnats disappear.
Neem oil not only kills existing pests but also prevents future infestations, making it a must-have in your plant care routine!
Trap the Adult Fungus Gnats
While neem oil tackles the eggs and larvae, you’ll want to catch the flying gnats to prevent them from reproducing. We carry We The Wild’s Fungus Gnat Traps in the shop. They adhere to the inside rim of your pot, making them subtle but effective. And they’re made of corn, so you can compost them when they’re spent.
Once you’ve gotten rid of the fungus gnats, keep them away with these tips:
Water wisely. Only water when your plants need it, and avoid leaving standing water in saucers. A moisture meter can be a useful tool if you have a hard time knowing when it’s time to water. Stop by the shop and pick up a We The Wild Moisture Meter.
Use sand or gravel. Add a thin layer of sand or small gravel on top of the soil to discourage gnats from laying eggs.
Tidy your soil. Remove dead leaves and debris from the soil surface to reduce gnats’ food sources.
Use neem oil regularly. A preventive spray every once in a while will keep gnats and other pests away long-term.
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