3 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats

by Ryan Christensen 08/17/2022

Many plant owners prefer to avoid harsh chemicals in their pest control practices. Luckily, there are plenty of natural methods to combat fungus gnats and other common plant pests. Here are three great ways to get rid of fungus gnats the natural way:

Trap Them With Apple Cider Vinegar & Soap

A simple way to trap adult gnats around your plants is by using some ingredients from your kitchen. Take a shallow dish or pot saucer of at least 1/2 inch deep and fill it with a solution of apple cider vinegar and water. Then, add a few drops of liquid dish soap into the solution and stir it gently to combine the ingredients without creating suds. You can place this trap directly into the soil of the infested plant if it's large enough, otherwise placing it nearby is usually enough to trap and kill the nearby gnats.

Add a Layer of Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous Earth is a powdered substance made of fossilized organisms called diatoms. Diatoms' skeletons are rich in silica, a naturally occurring substance used in countless products to absorb moisture. By sprinkling a layer of diatomaceous earth onto the top of your plant's soil, you create a physical barrier to repel fungus gnats. The silica will dry out and destroy their bodies, preventing them from digging and laying their eggs.

Flush the Soil With Mosquito Bits

One of the most frustrating things about fungus gnats is that no matter how many of the adult insects you remove, the soil may still be full of eggs and larvae. While the gnats themselves are mostly a nuisance, the larvae can actually damage your plant's roots if present in large numbers. To deal with pests deep in the soil, many plant owners use a product called mosquito bits. These dried pellets are full of useful bacteria used to control mosquitoes in standing water. By soaking the pellets and making a "tea," you can water your plants as normal while killing off any lurking larvae.

Fungus gnats are common and frustrating, but by employing these methods you can prevent and get rid of them without using harsh chemical insecticides.

About the Author
Author

Ryan Christensen

Responsive, Responsible and Resourceful - How Real Estate Should Be. This is the foundation of our continued success: responsive service, providing accurate and timely information, and demystifying the process. 100% of my business is referral based because I listen to my clients' needs and exceed their expectations. As a full-time real estate broker, I am the best advocate for both my buyers and sellers. I am always available, regardless of the time of day.

 Being a native Southern Californian is a tremendous advantage. I know the area. Time is more valuable than money, but neither can be wasted. And, I'm a fan of hard work. My clients can enjoy their home buying and/or selling experience because I provide a trusting, focused, straightforward approach. I look forward to helping you achieve your goals and find joy in homeownership.

 I am both a licensed Real Estate and Mortgage Broker. Others choose to concentrate on one or the other. I provide a higher level of service and expertise than those who do not obtain this dual skill set, which differentiates me from other service providers. My decisions and advice are based solely on what is in the best interest of my clients. I use Real Estate Sales as a tool to make sure my clients get the home that meets or exceeds their needs. As a Mortgage Broker, I search for the best loans so I can offer lower rates and pricing than my financing competition. This certainly IS in the client's best interest.