Fungus gnats are those small, annoying black flies that terrorise your plants. Where do they come from? And, more importantly, how you get rid of them? The tips below will help you stamp them out and prevent them from returning — hooray!
Before we start with the steps for prevention and removal, itd be good to know more about this flying pest. Fungus gnats are most active at the beginning and end of the summer, and they love damp soil. An adult fungus gnat only lives for 1 to 2 days, but females lay over 200 eggs in one go. Once a larva reaches adulthood, she immediately lays new eggs in the damp soil of your beloved plant. It’s no surprise that they’re tricky to get rid of, but were here to give you some tips on how to deal with their presence and stop them coming back.
Autumn sage is a popular flowering plant known for its vibrant colors and fragrance. However, these lovely plants can fall victim to annoying infestations of fungus gnats. If you’ve noticed small flies buzzing around your autumn sage, it’s time to take action before they damage your plant. Getting rid of gnats in autumn sage requires diligence and multiple control methods working together. Follow these tips to knock out gnats and restore the health of your sage plant.
Identifying Gnats on Autumn Sage
The first step is confirming you actually have gnats. Fungus gnats are tiny, mosquito-like insects about 1/8 inch long. They have long legs and antennae, with dark or transparent wings. You’ll often see them flying in short hovering patterns over the soil surface.
Upon closer inspection you may find
- Tiny white larvae wriggling in the soil
- Clouds of gnats emerging when you disturb the soil
- Yellowing, wilting, or stunted plant growth
If you see these signs, gnats have likely infested the moist soil of your autumn sage. Act quickly before they destroy roots and spread to other plants.
Drying Out the Soil
Fungus gnats need moist soil to breed and survive. Letting the soil dry out for a few days is an easy first step to curb gnat populations. Avoid overwatering, and let the top 1-2 inches of soil become dry before watering again. This removes the damp environment gnats rely on.
Using Yellow Sticky Traps
Traps placed near infested plants provide an easy way to catch adult gnats. The bright color attracts them, and they become immobilized on the sticky surface. Traps won’t solve the problem entirely, but they reduce flying pests. Monitor traps weekly and replace them once covered with gnats.
Applying a Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bt) Spray
Bt is a natural bacteria that kills gnat larvae but is safe for plants. Apply it to moist soil as a drench to penetrate where larvae are active. Bt must be reapplied after watering. As larvae ingest it, Bt disables their digestive system. Results are visible within a few days as larvae numbers decline.
Covering the Soil with Sand
A simple 1/2 inch layer of sand over the soil creates an abrasive surface that deters adult gnats from laying eggs. The coarse texture also allows the soil to dry out faster. Use horticulture-grade sand, and top dress pots or garden beds once a month. The sand barrier scrapes away gnat’s sticky eggs and causes them to dry out.
Using Neem Oil Foliar Sprays
Neem oil can smother adult gnats and eggs on contact. Mix according to label instructions and spray leaves weekly to control flying adults. The oil’s azadirachtin also disrupts the molting process, preventing larvae from reaching adulthood. Neem oil has a strong scent that repels gnats as an added bonus.
Adding Diatomaceous Earth to Soil
Sprinkle a thin layer of food-grade diatomaceous earth over the soil to shred the exoskeleton of larval and adult gnats. The microscopic fossilized algae particles are abrasive enough to puncture soft-bodied gnats while being harmless to plants. Reapply after watering to maintain control. Wear a mask when handling.
Drenching Soil with Mosquito Dunks
Mosquito dunks contain Bti to kill gnats in the larvae stage. Dunks release the bacteria over 30 days as they slowly dissolve. Make a tea by soaking 1 dunk per gallon of water. Use this solution to thoroughly drench soil to reach larvae. The bacteria in dunks are harmless to plants but deadly to larvae when ingested.
Applying Beneficial Nematodes
Microscopic nematodes are parasites that attack gnat larvae in soil. They occur naturally but can be purchased to boost populations. Apply nematodes during moist soil conditions. Water in well after application to disperse nematodes. They’ll kill larvae and remain in the soil to control future generations. Reapply every 2-4 weeks as needed.
With persistence and an integrated pest management plan, you can break the gnat life cycle and restore your autumn sage’s health. Employ multiple tactics like drying out the soil, using traps, applying sprays, and adding abrasive barriers to eliminate gnats above and below the soil line. With vigilance, your autumn sage will soon be thriving gnat-free once more!
How to prevent them
#1 Dont overwater Fungus gnats love damp soil, so not overwatering your plants helps avoid infestation. It’s no fun laying eggs in dry soil, so the fungus gnats will give your plants a miss! #2 The right pots Buy pots with a hole in the bottom, and place them on saucers. That way youll prevent the damp soil from damaging the roots, as it can cause them to rot.
#3 Keep things clean Fungus gnats do well in compost-rich soil. Regularly remove dead leaves and twigs from the pots to keep the soil clean, dry and well-ventilated.
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Fungus gnats are those small, annoying black flies that terrorise your plants. Where do they come from? And, more importantly, how you get rid of them? The tips below will help you stamp them out and prevent them from returning — hooray!
Before we start with the steps for prevention and removal, itd be good to know more about this flying pest. Fungus gnats are most active at the beginning and end of the summer, and they love damp soil. An adult fungus gnat only lives for 1 to 2 days, but females lay over 200 eggs in one go. Once a larva reaches adulthood, she immediately lays new eggs in the damp soil of your beloved plant. It’s no surprise that they’re tricky to get rid of, but were here to give you some tips on how to deal with their presence and stop them coming back.
How to Keep Gnats Away from Plants | creative explained
FAQ
What kills gnats without killing plants?
How do I keep gnats out of my potted plants?
How do I get rid of gnats in my indoor herbs?
Can I spray my plants with vinegar to get rid of gnats?
How do you get rid of gnats on plants?
Here’s how to use it: Step 1: Dilute the hydrogen peroxide with water at a ratio of 3 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide to 1 cup of water. Step 2: Add the mixture to a spray bottle. Step 3: Spray your plant with the mixture twice a week until the gnat infestation clears up.
How do you stop Gnats from laying eggs?
Use a fine layer of sand or diatomaceous earth on top of plant soil to deter gnats from laying eggs. Use well-draining pots and soils. Inspect new plants for gnats before buying them. Seal cracks and holes around doorways, windows, and drains to prevent gnats from entering. Clean up damp places and allow them to dry.
Does hydrogen peroxide kill fungus gnats?
Use hydrogen peroxide as a soil drench. I really like hydrogen peroxide as a soil bug killer because it doesn’t just get rid of fungus gnat (and other) larvae, but also offers the additional advantage of releasing oxygen into the soil as it breaks down. And as we’ve learned, plant roots do thrive on plenty of oxygen!
What causes gnats in houseplants?
Root rot. In many cases of overwatering a plant, the roots will begin to rot and spread through the soil. Gnats come into play here because they love moist environments, so if you notice your plant has symptoms of root rot there is a good chance you may have fungus gnats.