Pesky Pests And How To Deal: Fungus Gnats

Photo by @anythinggrowsgarden

Second to spider mites, we are most often asked about fungus gnats. They are common and incredibly annoying but they are treatable!

How to spot them: 

Fungus gnats look like small fruit flies. You will see them flying around your plants and crawling on the surface of the soil.

How to be rid of them:

Fungus gnats love laying their eggs in wet soil.

• The best way to get rid of them is first to remove the top three inches of soil, discard it and replace with fresh soil.
• If your pot has drainage holes use a piece of fabric to cover the holes so the gnats can't fly in but water can still flow out.
• Then get some pheromone traps and add them to affected plants.
• Alternatively, place a carnivorous plant in the area.
• Lastly, allow your plant to dry out a little more between watering.
  
  

Photo by @houseplantsxyz

How to prevent them:

• Don't over-water your plants.
• Water from the bottom allowing the plant to soak up water through its drainage holes.
• Replace the top 2" of soil with sand or fine pebbles.