Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Looking for ways to get rid of insects bugging you at home? Carnivorous plants could be an environmentally friendly way to help manage your insect problem.
Most of these plants in nature live in environments that are very different from a home garden setting, which is why there are no common garden plants that are carnivorous.
With that being said, a handful of them can be grown indoors to help get rid of some annoying insects in your home.
Newsweek asked the experts how carnivorous plants work, which species can be grown indoors and how effective they are as an insect repelling solution.
Speaking to Newsweek, author and house plant expert Lisa Eldred Steinkopf explained carnivorous plants grow naturally in an area with a high peat (a surface layer of soil made partially of decomposed organic matter) content soil, so they “dont receive many nutrients from the soil they are living in.”
So out in nature, American pitcher plants and sundews (more on both later below) may have their leaves completely dotted with insects. But this happens because in nature, carnivorous plants are exposed to hundreds, if not thousands of insects, every day, Kevin Zhang, the president of the Mid-Atlantic Carnivorous Plant Society (MACPS), told Newsweek.
While carnivorous plants wont solve your insect problem, they can be used as part of a wider bug control solution to help the situation. Read more
Kenny Coogan, Education Director at the International Carnivorous Plant Society (ICPS), told Newsweek to use carnivorous plants for pest control purposes, “you will first need to keep the plants alive,” noting while some can be grown indoors, many (or at least the most well known carnivorous plants) would fare better outdoors.
All carnivorous plants require pure water. Rainwater or distilled water are good options, while well, bottled and city water often contain too many contaminants or minerals, Coogan said.
Hey there! I’ve been battling those annoying fruit flies in my kitchen for years, and I finally found a solution that’s both effective and fascinating – carnivorous plants! Let me share everything I’ve learned about these amazing natural pest controllers
Why You Should Consider Carnivorous Plants
Let’s be real – fruit flies are THE WORST. One day you’ve got a couple buzzing around your fruit bowl, and the next thing you know, there’s a whole swarm taking over your kitchen. A female fruit fly can lay up to 500 eggs at once, and those eggs hatch in just 12-15 hours. No wonder they multiply so fast!
Instead of reaching for chemical sprays or those ugly sticky traps, why not try nature’s own solution? Carnivorous plants have evolved to trap and digest insects naturally, making them perfect for controlling fruit fly populations in your home.
Best Carnivorous Plants for Catching Fruit Flies
1. Mexican Butterworts (Pinguicula)
- Best overall choice for indoor fruit fly control
- Looks like a regular succulent
- Has sticky leaves that trap flies on both sides
- Perfect for kitchen windowsills
- Safe and doesn’t smell bad
2. Sundews (Drosera)
- Super effective at catching fruit flies
- Has tentacles covered in sticky “dew” drops
- Can trap multiple flies at once
- Beautiful to look at
- Great for windowsills
3. Pitcher Plants (Sarracenia)
- Most efficient at mass catching
- Uses sweet nectar to lure flies
- Can trap dozens of flies in each pitcher
- Better for outdoor use (can get smelly)
- Produces new pitchers regularly
4. Venus Flytraps (Dionaea muscipula)
- The most famous carnivorous plant
- Has snap traps that close on prey
- Limited effectiveness (4 flies max per trap)
- Takes 2 weeks to digest each meal
- More of a conversation piece than pest control
How to Care for Your Carnivorous Plants
Taking care of these plants isn’t super complicated but there are some important rules
- Water Quality Matters
- ONLY use distilled water or rainwater
- Regular tap water will kill them
- They’re sensitive to minerals
- Light Requirements
- Bright, indirect sunlight
- A sunny windowsill works great
- Some direct morning sun is okay
- Humidity
- Most prefer high humidity
- Consider using a humidity tray
- Terrariums work well for smaller species
- Soil
- Need nutrient-poor soil
- Don’t use regular potting mix
- Special carnivorous plant mix is best
My Personal Experience
I’ve been using these plants for about a year now, and lemme tell ya – they WORK! My pitcher plant (I named her Audrey because why not?) caught like 10 fruit flies in just her first week. The trick is placing them strategically – I keep mine near the fruit bowl and compost bin where flies tend to hang out.
Pro tip: If you’re dealing with a serious fruit fly problem, try combining carnivorous plants with some lavender essential oil near your compost bin. The flies hate the smell of lavender and will avoid those areas!
Common Questions About Carnivorous Plants
Q: Will they eat beneficial insects too?
A: They’ll catch whatever lands on them, but they’re mostly effective at catching small flying insects like fruit flies and fungus gnats.
Q: Do I need to feed them if there aren’t many flies?
A: Yes! During slow periods, you can feed them small amounts of dried mealworms or bloodworms from pet stores.
Q: Are they safe around pets and kids?
A: Totally safe! They’re only dangerous if you’re a tiny insect.
Where to Get Started
If you’re new to carnivorous plants, I’d recommend starting with a Mexican Butterwort or Sundew. They’re easier to care for and work great indoors. You can find them at:
- Specialty nurseries
- Online carnivorous plant sellers
- Some garden centers
Remember, these plants aren’t just pest control – they’re fascinating conversation starters too! Just don’t name them Audrey… I already called dibs on that one!
Final Thoughts
Getting carnivorous plants to control fruit flies is like having tiny, weird-looking pets that actually help keep your house clean. Sure, they need some special care, but they’re way more interesting than those sticky fly traps, and they actually work!
Just remember: distilled water, proper light, and a bit of patience while they establish themselves. Before you know it, you’ll be watching these fascinating plants trap those pesky fruit flies like tiny, vegetative ninjas!
Have you tried using carnivorous plants for pest control? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!
How Do Carnivorous Plants Work?
Coogan explained carnivorous plants lure, trap and digest a variety of organisms ranging from single celled protozoa to the occasional small mammal and many eat a range of insects.
While some carnivorous plants lure their prey with visual markers, most of their prey are lured and trapped due to the sweet nectar they produce, the ICPS Education Director said.
Eldred Steinkopf said when carnivorous plants catch insects, they are “just like fertilizer” for the plants, providing them nutrients. “They are photosynthesizing, so they are actually making their own food from the sun. The insects just give them added nutrients.”
She warned carnivorous plants should not be fed hamburger meat or anything similar. They need to be kept moist at all times, as they naturally grow in bogs (a patch of wetland made partially of decayed plant matter) and swamps.
They grow best in medium to bright light with plenty of humidity and are good for growing in terrariums (sealable glass containers, essentially an aquarium but for plants), Eldred Steinkopf advised.
