Have you started to notice little black flies that are buzzing and crawling around your beautiful house plants? Not only are these pests obnoxious, but they can cause damage to your houseplants if they are left to their devices. As irritating as this problem is, it is a solvable problem. Stewart Termite & Pest Control is here to share some tips to help you keep fungus gnats out of your houseplants.
Fungus Gnat Identification
Fungus gnats are tiny black flies that can be confused for fruit flies. They hang out around moist places, and this is why there are times that they are thriving near your houseplants. These gnats are about 1/8 inch long when they reach full adulthood, but the larvae are what you should really be concerned about. Fungus gnat larva develop in the soil of your houseplant. It is here that they eat the organic matter they find in the soil. This can be the roots of your plant if the infestation is a bad one.
Fungus Gnats Lifecycle
While the lifespan of fungus gnats is only about a week, during that time, you can count on a female laying around 200 eggs! This irritating pest will continue to reproduce throughout the year which only makes matters worse. This is why it may take several treatments to ensure you have gotten rid of all the pests.
Home Remedies for Fungus Gnats
Here are some tips to help you control the fungus gnat situation in your home.
• Keep the top 2-3 inches of soil dry. They reside in this topsoil and can’t if there isn’t any moisture.
• Water your plant from the bottom to help control the gnat population.
• Replant the houseplant in sterile soil if the infestation is too bad.
• Get rid of any pots that may have decaying plant matter in them that provides a food source for the gnats.
• Sticky fly traps can help capture mature gnats before they have a chance to lay any eggs in the soil; if you can handle the way they look.
How to Make Gnat Traps
If you don’t have any sticky traps, you can make your own simple gnat trap using apple cider vinegar and dish soap. Start by filling the bottom of a cup, dish or mason jar with apple cider vinegar. Next, you will add a drop of dish soap to the mixture and cover the dish or cup with plastic wrap. Now you will poke holes in the top of the plastic. The gnats won’t be able to resist the pungent smell of the cider vinegar and the dish soap will work to kill them.
Fly Control
If these natural tactics don’t work in getting rid of the fungus gnats in your home, you can call of the pest control professionals at Stewart Termite & Pest Control for help. We have the training and expertise to successfully get rid of any fly problem you may have in your home. Call us today!