Pest Control: Fungus Gnats
Words & photography by Plant Sit
As the colder weather sets in, fungus gnats are almost inevitable in offices & homes alike. The good thing is that they are completely harmless to your plants, but it doesn’t make them any less annoying to be around.
What are fungus gnats?
They are small flies in the family Sciaridae, with over 250 species in Britain. Many species feed on rotting organic matter, therefore breeding in large numbers in damp composts.
How can you spot the gnats?
They are very small black/brown flies that tend to be everywhere! To find out where they have come from, inspect the soil of your plants. If you water them & see lots of flies suddenly appear from the soil, you have found your source.
Why do we get them?
As mentioned above, they love damp compost. Often appearing if your plants are overwatered, or have not dried out as quickly as usual. This is also why they are sometimes inevitable in the winter months, as you might not be overwatering your plants, but they just take a bit longer to dry out.
Is there any way to control the gnats?
Yes, and luckily we have tried & tested lots of different methods at Plant Sit:
Ensure the soil (at least the top few inches) dry out before watering again.
Don’t let the plant sit in water for too long - remember to check your cache pots after an hour or so.
Get some sticky fly paper, which deals with the flies that you can see.
Use Nematodes: a natural “microscopic eelworm” which controls the infestation at soil level. Note: Only buy immediately before you use as they are live.
Repeat steps if needed.
Good luck! If you are unsure about what to do, or would like to chat to someone at Plant Sit, get in touch & we will be happy to help 🌿