I've been struggling with an invasion of fungus gnats for nearly three months now, and it's driving me crazy! I've tried a bunch of treatments including Mosquito Bits tea, beneficial nematodes, systemic insect granules, and various sprays like neem oil, peppermint, and even lavender dryer sheets. I've employed yellow sticky traps and kept the soil clean of organic debris. I'm even bottom watering, but it seems like things are getting worse! My succulents and houseplants are both affected. I can't keep repotting all of my almost 100 plants, and I'm at my wit's end. What am I doing wrong? I haven't tried hydrogen peroxide, cinnamon, diatomaceous earth, or electric traps yet. Any advice on how to deal with this?
5 Answers
I tried Mosquito Bits tea for every watering until they were gone, and I kept using it for a month after just to be safe. It takes some time since it only kills the larvae, but it's super effective! Just dry out your soil every couple of weeks. If you're worried that your soil isn't drying out, you might need to switch to a more draining mix.
That sounds like a solid plan! Just make sure you're not overwatering at all.
I've had success with Mosquito Bits. Mix 2 tablespoons per gallon of lukewarm water and let the granules soak for at least half an hour before watering your plants. It worked better for me than any other methods I've tried! Just remember to do it for all your plants at once to prevent any escapees.
Agree! I’ve soaked them for longer than a day before and had no issues. Just make sure the soil dries well between applications.
I use about a cup per gallon to soak overnight. It really helps!
If you wanna tackle it indefinitely, drying out the soil is key. But it might also help to check if you have any leaks or sources of moisture elsewhere in your home because those gnats might be breeding in your sinks too!
That's a great point! I had to deal with the same issue—found them in my drains.
Good to know! I’ve been using a moisture meter to gauge when to water, which helps keep my soil from being too wet.
Diatomaceous earth worked wonders for me! Just be cautious about the dust—maybe wear a mask to avoid irritation while applying. Once you water again, you won't have to worry about the dust after that.
That's great to hear! I was surprised to see OP struggling so much after trying that. It's definitely worth a shot!
Is it still effective if it gets wet? I've heard you need to reapply after it rains.
I’ve found that carnivorous plants like butterworts can help by munching on those pesky gnats! It's like having a little gnat control squad in your house—plus they look cool!
Really? I thought sticky traps would help more, but now I see that's not the case.