How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats Quickly And Easily

Gnats can cause big problems both in larval and adult stages for herbs and houseplants. Here’s how to get rid of fungus gnats indoors.

What are fungus gnats?

Gnats are tiny insects that are also known as “potato bugs” and “wax worms.” They are the larval stage of moths and feed on plants. Unlike other insects, the males don’t bore into the leaves of plants.

The females feed on the juices inside the plant, so they also leave behind small pools of liquid on the leaves that attract males. This is how they mate and produce eggs. How to get rid of fungus gnats indoors To make sure the problem of fungus gnats in your garden doesn’t spread into your home,

Follow these three steps: Put hot, soapy water on the leaves of plants where the gnats are breeding. Place large buckets (or buckets with 2 or 3 holes in the bottom) in strategic locations outside. Spray the bucket with insecticide.

How to identify fungus gnats?

Gnats that are mating have red, black and white spots on their abdomen. Adult female fungus gnats have red, white and black spots. While the larvae of the fungus gnats are small, the adults are bigger than other insects and about half an inch long.

The female adults are slightly larger than the male. What to do about fungus gnats on thyme and marjoram. If you find them on your plants, use oil of cloves or oregano, oil of wintergreen, or even vanilla oil.

If you don’t have these items, make a mixture of oil of cloves and a little water and spray the areas you find gnats on your plants. This will ward off the gnats.

fungus gnat on plant
Photo by Skyler Ewing from Pexels

What are the signs of an infestation?

The adult gnats are less noticeable. If you’re lucky, you’ll see an occasional gnat flying around your yard, or maybe the chirping of their larvae. But they are most noticeable when they swarm over your herb garden, dry your herbs out, and then leave a fungus behind.

Gnats like the herbs because they’re tasty to them. After all, it’s just another plant. They will eat the leaves, stems, flowers and pollen. They can even feast on flowers that are still on the plant. You should be able to spot them near flowering plants and in the late morning.

The adults look a bit like miniature grasshoppers, but they have delicate antennae. The larvae have black bodies with white speckles, and two black legs that end in thin round claws.

Why do I have fungus gnats?

Fungus gnats can come from many sources and can also multiply rapidly. More than one type of fungus gnat is referred to as a collembolan. Can fungus gnats get into my house?

You can have them enter your home on pollen or nectar. This is called air transport, and they can hitch a ride on animals or various insect repellents. When gnats seek light they may be able to get into the house.

Can I get rid of fungus gnats? You can wipe off the gnats with a water or soapy spray and then dry with a wet paper towel. You can also spray your houseplants and bring them inside to air dry. Furthermore, you can also remove adult fungus gnats from the air.

Not only that, but you can do this by using an air purifier with a quality HEPA filter to get the adult gnats. You can also get rid of fungus gnats by using a screen in a window?

How can I get rid of fungus gnats quickly and easily?

This is a common and easily recognizable issue that most people are confronted with if they have large plantings, for example. Over the years, they have gotten used to dealing with these insects as a nuisance and sometimes also even as pests.

The solution is not so much an offensive product (such as mosquito repellent or liquid soap spray), but rather how you deal with this issue at its source. How to get rid of fungus gnats It’s important to learn the basic causes of these pests and find the problem quickly, so you can deal with the situation at hand.

But, before we jump into the remedies, we should know what the pests are, where they come from, and what they usually do once they are found.

How can I prevent fungus gnats from coming back?

Now that the fungus gnats are out of the house, they can breed again. Thus, they are just waiting for a chance to take a trip out again. It’s better to treat them with the right kind of pesticides right away, especially if they are breeding.

Treating with your usual insecticide is only a temporary solution. Treating with a biological control is the right option. In fact, most insects are beneficial for the environment when they are not destroying plants. There is no need to worry that using harmful pesticides that can damage the environment or pollute your water supplies.

Biological control pesticides are available at your local store for a reasonable price. You can choose pesticides that specifically control fungus gnats. Ants are the main natural enemies of fungus gnats.

Conclusion

Just like any other nuisance in your house, fungus gnats aren’t really all that hard to get rid of. You just need to know how.

Author

  • Vince S

    Hello, I'm Vince, and I bring over 25 years of dedicated experience in the world of herb gardening. From cultivating fragrant basil to nurturing hardy rosemary, my journey as a passionate herb enthusiast has allowed me to explore the wonders of these versatile plants. Through diyherbgardener.com, I'm thrilled to share my knowledge, tips, and insights to help you embark on your own herb gardening adventures. Let's grow together!