Put an end to small black mosquitoes! We show you how you can fight and prevent fungus gnats!
Fungus gnats are real pests. They crawl out of the potting soil and buzz around the room.
Yes, they are only small black flies, but they can steal your last nerve, especially when they appear in masses. And that happens very quickly, unfortunately.
It just happened to us at the office. We have purchased a beautiful new palm tree.
A few days later, we had these little black mosquitoes everywhere. Preferably they stay near my desk, more precisely my face.
Oh how that can be annoying!
Table of contents
Although harmless to us humans, the larvae can cause massive damage to the roots of the plant.
We say: Stop it!
Try to swing the chemical club as rarely as possible. There are many ways to get rid of pests with natural tricks.
Master gardener Fiona Kiss has written a very special guide. She is an expert in organic plant protection and gives you in her book "The handbook for plant protection in the organic garden". best tips against absolutely any plague.
You will find tips against fungi, viruses and insects that make your life in the garden and in the apartment difficult.
Control fungus gnats - Detect black gnats and infestation
Immediately after watering you can discover them in the soil, or just as they rise from the flower pot. And already they are wildly buzzing around the room.
At first glance, fungus gnats can be confused with fruit flies. However, the tiny plant pests stay mainly near flower pots.
If you discover small flies on the pot or small glassy white larvae in the potting soil, they are most likely fungus gnats.
If you also notice that your plants are growing stunted or have a hollow stem, then pesky fungus gnats have taken up residence in the soil.
A simple test can tell if your plants are infested with the pests.
These herbs should not be missing on any balcony!
To do this, hold the affected flower pot in your hand and wiggle it back and forth slightly.
If small black mosquitoes crawl towards you now, then fungus gnats have taken possession of your houseplants.
If you look very closely, you can even see the very bright larvae in the soil.
If you notice an infestation, act immediately. The mosquitoes multiply very quickly. First of all quickly bring Yellow sticker against fungus gnats* on. This will give you a little time for further actions.
Where the black little mosquitoes come from
If your plants are on the balcony or in the garden over the summer, then there is no trace of the little beasts yet.
In winter, small black flies spread on flowers and herbs in the house.
If you grow your own tomatoes and peppers like I do, you'll know this pest all too well. In addition to the bag of potting soil, you get a whole load of fungus gnat eggs as a gift.
It's so easy to make your own greenhouse out of egg cartons!
In the apartment they feel really comfortable. It is warm, humid, windless and they have no natural predators. This allows them to multiply in numbers in just a few days.
Flies are promoted in the pot of low-quality soil. This is an ideal breeding ground for the little beasts.
Especially when the plant soil is moist, fungus gnats multiply particularly well.
You should not ignore the infestation. You must fight fungus gnats if you want to save your plants.
At the beginning, the larvae feed on the roots, but then they eat their way to the very top. In the worst case, they hollow out the entire stem and your beloved plant dies.
How you can fight fungus gnats
The flies are annoying, but the real troublemakers are the larvae. These prefer to feed on the roots of the plant.
Especially for young plants, they pose a great danger. To combat the stubborn fungus gnats, you can use these tricks.
Never again without basil! So easy you multiply the spice infinitely!
1. carnivorous plants
Carnivorous plants against mosquitoes? Yes, you read that right. Mosquito killing plants can control small populations of fungus gnats.
But the plant is much more suitable for prevention. So let's go to the nursery of your choice.
Carnivorous plant not only looks decorative, but also eats uninvited insects.
The downside: if you have a heavy infestation, you'd have to get a whole colony of carnivorous plants.
2. natural pesticides against fungus gnats
Another means to fight fungus gnats is to use natural pesticides. This includes neem oil.
It biologically combats those pesky little flies without harming the environment.
Wow! This strawberry tower you can build yourself without screwing, drilling and sawing!
With this preparation you can get rid of not only black mosquitoes, but also aphids or whiteflies.
Tip: We have got a good grip on the plague of dream gnats in the office with neem and yellow stickers. You simply mix the neem oil with the irrigation water and thus ensure that the larvae do not survive in the soil. The good thing is that neem oil works after just a few hours.
Because I am so excited about Neem oil against fungus gnatsI have dedicated a separate post to this topic, in which I explain step by step what is important and how to use it correctly.
3. eliminate flies in the potting soil with yellow sticker
Have you ever seen those little yellow tablets stuck in the potting soil? That's exactly what yellow stickers are, also known as yellow tablets.
After you put them in the ground, the hunt can begin. The yellow color and the attractant attract the small flies.
On the stickers is a special odorless glue on which the little pests stick.
However, this method catches only the fungus gnats. The larvae remain in the soil.
Yellow sticker against fungus gnats* You can order them in large quantities from Amazon. They come in different shapes and sizes. Take more, unfortunately the plague won't be over overnight. You will certainly have to replace the stickers a few times.
4. replace soil to get rid of black flies.
If your plant is infested with the pests, then you should replace the entire potting soil.
It is also important to completely replace the soil at the root ball.
After all, this is where the stubborn larvae. Then thoroughly wash out the flower pots and refill with fresh soil.
I buy the fresh soil already in the fall. I leave it on the balcony in the winter so that it freezes through. So you make sure that the eggs and the larvae freeze.
5. get rid of black mosquitoes with nematodes
Nematodes are small threadworms. With their help you can control fungus gnats.
The microscopic worms infest the larvae living in the potting soil. Simply add the beneficial worms to the irrigation water and pour onto the affected soil. After about two to three weeks, the mosquito plague is largely eliminated.
The mini worms are available online or at specialty stores.
6. a vinegar trap against mosquitoes
Vinegar can be used in many ways in the household. The acidic liquid can also be helpful in fighting fungus gnats.
The flies are really attracted by the beguiling scent of vinegar and then drown in it. There are two options for a DIY vinegar trap.
Method 1:
- Pour vinegar into a glass jar. Cover the opening with cling film and make small holes in it with a needle.
- The mosquitoes crawl into the glass and can no longer find the exit.
Method 2:
- Pour vinegar, water and dishwashing liquid into a jar.
- The dishwashing liquid ensures that the mosquitoes drown in the vinegar.
Disadvantage: The mosquitoes and the eggs remain unimpressed by the vinegar cure.
Did you know that these 9 plants clean the air?
7. matches against larvae
Matches can eliminate the dream gnat larvae in the soil.
To do this, simply stick three to 4 burnt matches head first into the beleaguered potting soil.
The sulfur in the primer head kills the larvae. This prevents further nesting. However, much does not always help.
Never put more than 4 sticks in the ground at once. This harms the plant!
Replace the matches after 3 days.
Why prevention is better than fighting fungus gnats
Just as important as the control is to prevent a new infestation.
In fact, unintentionally you make the little black mosquitoes feel very comfortable.
We show you which tips you should follow so that flies do not settle in the potting soil in the first place.
Sand can prevent black mosquitoes
To prevent fungus gnat infestations in the first place, you can use sand.
To do this, sprinkle a two to three millimeter layer of lime, quartz sand or gravel on the potting soil. Sprinkle as much as you can until no more soil is visible.
Easy care plants that provide a good indoor climate in the bedroom
This will prevent the female flies from burrowing into the soil to lay their eggs.
When sprinkling sand and lime may gradually mix with the soil during watering.
It is therefore best to use gravel or to keep adding sand and lime.
Warming earth in the microwave
Sounds a bit strange, doesn't it? But works wonderfully.
You can make already infested soil usable again and disinfect purchased potting soil to be on the safe side.
The heat in the microwave causes the larvae and eggs in the soil to die.
- Grab the potting soil.
- The soil is placed in a bowl and then microwaved for 5 minutes at full power.
- Take them out of the microwave and let them cool to room temperature. If you are unsure, you can repeat the process.
Don't make the bowl too full if you want to make sure all the black gnats die off.
Water plants little
Fungus gnats love moist soil.
They are so comfortable in it and on it that they lay their eggs here.
So keep your plants dry. Refrain from watering for one to two weeks.
The potting soil dries superficially.
Thus, the optimal breeding conditions are no longer given.
If you want to be on the safe side, you can additionally remove the top layer of soil, as eggs can still be found here.
Most houseplants will not be harmed if they are not watered for a week or two.
In summary: Create bad conditions for the mosquitoes
Prevention is better than cure. To sterilize soil that has been sitting around for a while, there are two methods. First, you can treat it with winter cold, or second, heat the soil to 60-70 degrees.
With both variants, the plant soil becomes germ-free.
Pay attention to your watering habits. Make sure that your plants do not have wet roots and soil all the time. This favors the living conditions for the little pests.
Finally, you can cover the soil with a layer of gravel or quartz sand. Now the mosquitoes can no longer lay eggs.
What damage fungus gnats
How the adult fungus gnats harm your plants? They don't. The little flies are just annoying.
The real troublemakers are the larvae. So if you think that it is enough to kill the weeping flies, you are unfortunately wrong.
These mosquitoes are already 5 days old and are at the end of the life cycle. They have most likely already reproduced and laid eggs. Meanwhile, the larvae continue to happily eat your plants.
That is why it is important to get rid of the pests in the long run. But not only the fungus gnats, but also their larvae.
If you only remove the flies, the adult larvae will simply lay new eggs. The fun starts all over again.
Our conclusion
These little pests are not dangerous, but they are extremely annoying. With the presented methods you can get rid of black mosquitoes.
While there is no guarantee, the sooner you start fighting fungus gnats, the better.
The best way to help is a mix of neem, yellow boards, little watering and replacing soil.
Good luck fighting fungus gnats!
To browse further:
* Advertising & affiliate links: Our website is financed by advertising and affiliate links. As a partner of linked stores (e.g. Amazon) we earn from qualified sales.
Read more