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How to Get Rid of Gnats in Plants

If your plants are being infected with tiny little flies they are probably gnats. Today we will show you how to get rid of gnats in plants!
Course: DIY Gardening
Cuisine: Pests
Keyword: diy gardening, gnats, plants

Instructions

  • SEPARATE THE INFECTED PLANT: Before even starting to treat your plants infected with fungus gnats, you need to separate then from the healthy ones. This way you will protect your plants that are not infected. Check all your plants well and the ones that have tiny flies around, move them to a different room where you can start the treatment and prevent the others from getting infected with gnats.
  • CHANGE THE TOP LAYER OF YOUR PLANT SOIL: This is a great way to get rid of gnats, because you don't have to get rid of your plants. Instead, just remove the top layer of your soil and replace it with new soil. Since gnats like moist potting soil, replacing the old moist dirt will solve the gnats problem. Discard the old soil well and do not use it in any other plant. Another method you can use is to place a thin layer of sand on top of the soil surface. Adult gnats don't like to lay eggs on sandy surface so that is a nice, quick fix!
  • DON'T WATER SO OFTEN: This method works best on houseplants, because most houseplants don't need to be watered so often. Water your plants less than you used to and that way the top layer will dry better. When you water frequently, this keeps the soil moist even at the surface which is where the female adult gnats will hatch their eggs.
  • USE SOME DIY SOLUTIONS: Going the natural way is the best when it comes to protect your plants. This DIY solution will help you get rid of gnats while protecting your plants from chemical damage.
  • USE PLANTS THAT REPEL GNATS: This method works best for outdoors plants! Place some plants that repel gnats around your garden that will keep gnats away from your plants. Plants that repel gnats: Lemon rose, lavendercitronella grass and marigold. Gnats and other insects can't stand the strong scent of the plants, therefore, they will stay away from your garden and your precious plants.
  • REPOT YOUR PLANTS: If the infraction is too deep and you are not willing to wait until gnats disappear, simply remove the plant from its pot and change it. Gently remove the plant, being careful not to damage the roots and remove the soil. You can use the same pot once you thoroughly disinfected it. Clean the roots as well in a safe way before repoting.
  • USE YELLOW STICKY TRAPS: You can use yellow sticky traps, which can be purchased at your local hardware store. Fungus gnats and other flying insects are attracted to the bright yellow color, and once they're on it, they're stuck. The great thing about yellow sticky traps is that they prevent fungus gnat larvae from forming into adult gnats, therefore stopping their life cycle. Gnats lay their eggs on the sticky traps. Adult fungus gnats can be a huge pain to your plants, so this will prevent them from becoming adult gnats in the first place.