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How to Prevent Fungus Gnats

by Alexander Eli 04/11/2022

Fungus gnats are an annoying pest houseplant owners are likely familiar with. These tiny flying insects are mostly a nuisance but can also be damaging to your plants in large numbers. There are many methods for getting rid of fungus gnats, but one of the best defenses is to prevent them entirely. Here are some of the best ways you can prevent fungus gnats from appearing in your plants:

No Soggy Soil

As their name might suggest, fungus gnats thrive on the fungus growing in damp soil. They also prefer moist soil for laying their eggs. Therefore, a simple way to prevent them from taking up residence in your plants is to keep the top layer of soil dry. Try to go as long as possible between waterings if the plant allows, and consider switching to bottom-watering as an extra help.

Wash & Cover Drainage Holes

Usually you'll find gnats around the top of the pot, but they can also end up in the drainage holes at the bottom. If they lay eggs in the drainage holes, you'll still have a problem even after completely replacing the soil in a pot.

Two things you can do to combat this are to wash and cover the drainage holes. Wash the pot thoroughly with soap and water before use, and use a coffee filter or another porous barrier inside the hole. Moisture can still drain out, but it will keep the gnats at bay--and prevent soil leakage.

Add a Protective Layer

You can also protect the top layer of soil from fungus gnats. One way is by covering the top of the soil with a thin layer of sand. The fungus gnats won't be able to penetrate through the sand to lay eggs in the soil beneath. While this method may not work perfectly on its own, it's an excellent way to double your defenses.

Fungus gnats are aggravating, but with the right tools and methods you can control and even eradicate them. Keep these strategies in mind when caring for your plants to keep them healthy and pest-free.

About the Author
Author

Alexander Eli

I work with all Residential, commercial and industrial. I've helped a lot of my clients sell their properties when they needed to. Buying properties that can close in sooner amount of time. Plotted investments for investors. I have marketing strategies that will help buyers find want they want. Selling strategies that are confirmed well planned out marketing to sell property. Looking forward to meeting all the new potential sellers and buyers.