5 EASY Ways to WIN Against Fungus Gnats

[@davidniemi6553]

Some additional things I've tried that seem to help a lot: (1) a small oscillating fan makes it tough for fungus gnats to get around, dries out the top of the soil faster, and helps strengthen stems. (2) a watering schedule (ideally with weighing pots if you have a lot of the same type), usually 5 to 7 days for 2.5" to 3.5" pots; and (3) yellow sticky traps, they can catch a fair percentage of the adults, but are even more useful for monitoring for fungus gnats and figure out where they are or are coming from.

[@StacyKramer-u4r]

Best explanation I've seen for getting rid of fungus gnats...THANK YOU for this comprehensive explanation!!!

[@MIgardener]

Glad it helped! Happy gardening!

[@amiegamble1678]

Mosquito bits for soil. Dunks for water. I have container pots outside that would have issues when it was the rainy season. I sprinkle this per direction. No more issues. Safe for us too.

[@gelwood99]

YES! It is organic and a different strain of Bt, the organic control for catapellers especially attacking brassicas. I dissolve them in warm water and water my plants with it, this way uses less dunks with the same results.

[@wess4664]

Good to see someone mention the mosquito bits. I've used the bits for years. Whenever I start seeds indoors I'll sprinkle some bits on the soil surface (or mix them in) and give it a good watering. It's rare that I'll see a gnat in the grow room these days.

[@MarysGardenShed]

The dunks are a life saver- and they're pet safe. We use it in the chicken waterer.

[@primitivedaisy]

Yeah, I use the bits, but it’s not the best. There’s also hydrogen peroxide in the water, and beneficial nematodes, and I’ve tried them all. A year later, there’s less, but they’re still here. There’s no one clear answer.

[@JackB-ch2ny]

The only way I found to work was to microwave the soil before I pot AND once potted, cover the top 1 inch of soil with all purpose sand mix. Peroxide didn't work.

[@joannagel4681]

Sticky traps & watering with Gnatrol has worked best for me. I’ve also used the sand as well & that helps too.

[@desertflower9557]

This is the 1st time I’ve heard of Neem being helpful with the gnats. And thank you for clearing up how the sand would be helpful.

[@JoyfullyOrangeDeborah]

I've had fungus gnats kill so many of my plants over the years and never knew what they were for the longest time, then I couldn't find a good way to get rid of them. Last time I got them from an herb plant i bought at the grocery store (i thought it being in the store it would be clean). I really appreciate this video Luke! Many Blessings from Deborah in West Virginia!

[@MIgardener]

Thanks for your support!

[@LisaPebble]

Luke, you should have mentioned BTI, bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, mosquito dunk or bits. It doesn't smell like neem oil will and it is the ONLY thing I personally have found to be 100% effective. The sand on the soil definitely helps prevent them but so does bottom watering and also not overwattering. I put the dunk, usually broken into quarters, in a gallon of water let sit a couple hours and use it to water from the top where the larva predominately are located. I can refill the bottle many times before it starts breaking down and needs a new one. I have not had any problems since I've been using it. I also sterilize my soil using the boiling water rehydration method you suggested. Between those two things no gnats here! BTW, tried neem, stunk up the house and really didn't work that great, for me anyway.

[@desertflower9557]

The BTI is inside of the Mosquito Bits, isn’t it?

[@LisaPebble]

@@desertflower9557 yes

[@historyandhorseplaying7374]

Uh oh, are they censoring the word "tobacco"?

[@FC2ESWS]

How much do you use after you mix? Like the whole gallon or is just a little bit good enough?

[@LisaPebble]

@FC2ESWS I mix it by the gallon and just top water the effected plants and use it for at least a month

[@Teawisher]

I ordered nematodes that are parasites on fungus gnat larvae and the amount of gnats I see now have completely collapsed. Feels like a superior option as it allows you to have a living soil with plenty of beneficial life.

[@CherrieMcKenzie]

It took me awhile to realize I was over watering but once I provided more ground mulch to retain water and stopped watering as often the gnats went away. But thank you for these extra measures.

[@Boosted0ne]

Sticky traps and Mosquito Bits soaked in water works well. Water in as directed on instructions. It might take a while to break the cycle but Mosquito bits/sticky traps works well for me. If you have them bad don't expect to just eradicate them overnite.

[@lindawisner3525]

We get them. I'm gonna try some of your ideas. Just remembered my grandmother use to pour a cup of soapy dishwater into her potted geraniums to kill the flies.

[@TerryMcGearyScotland]

I’ve occasionally cupped soapy lather and coated leaves and stems with it do attempt to kill bugs such as aphids. Limited success.

[@jackiegoodrich1351]

I hung bug zapper lites near my plants. The zaps started right away! I smiled! Left them up for 2 months, was not hearing any more zaps, took them down, no gnats for over a year now! Dont forget to empty the dead ones out of the bottom trays! Good Luck! Rev. J. 😊

[@marilynbook4211]

We have been using Mosquito Dunk and it works for the most part, it was the only thing we were able to get in our area. We also have the yellow sticky traps.

[@carriesearskohles7891]

So helpful! It’s a constant battle.

[@bobe2173]

So thankful for this video. I've been dealing with these for a few months now and couldn't identify what they were. Im so stoked to finally have a plan of action against them. Thank you 👍

[@thenextlevel2888]

I add Neem oil to the soil when I water and it’s reduced the population significantly. I try and bottom water when possible too.

[@emkn1479]

What sort of dose do you use? I’m overrun by gnats over here and need to try this!

[@thenextlevel2888]

@@emkn1479 I use 1 tbsp for 1 gallon water. I usually use Luke warm water. I shake it really well and water the soil. You can water weekly until you see less and then as needed.

[@emkn1479]

@@thenextlevel2888 thanks so much!

[@CoffeeCakeCrumble]

I had a horrible herd of gnats that were sooooo obnoxious!! They'd purposely flitter right in front of my face, landing my coffee🤨 They enjoyed the ACV swimming pool....until they fell in. Game Over! Another tidbit is since I've had the fan running on the plants nonstop to keep the air circulating in the closet, their numbers have dramatically reduced to barely perceptible. They don't like wind🌬🌬🪰

[@tzarvladimir2987]

I would add that to you ideally want to combine multiple methods. For me it was a mosquito dunks and nematodes in the water. I'd start with but letting the tap water sit out for a couple days to dechlorinate and then add 1/8th of a dunk, leaving it for a couple more days. once the water had the right smell (kinda fruity), I would remove the dunk and just before I watered, I'd add the nematode bag. Usually got a few uses out of each dunk piece. I'm less convinced on the nematodes, but they were part of stopping the invasion. I continue to apply water with mosquito dunks as a preventative measure, along with good watering habits.

[@andyd7213]

I had a problem with Fungus gnats on my vegetable seedlings sown indoors. Used Neem Meal which looks like coffee granules. Dissolved some in my watering can and top dressed the pots with the meal. Watered from the base, gnats no more in 7-10 days. Love this stuff!

[@FarmToMarketRoad]

I bought an electric kettle to sterilize my mix. Many brands are 1.7 litter. Happens to be perfect amount for 72 cell, 10x20 seed starting tray. When potting up use dry mix, then bottom water. 1.7 litters again in 10x20 tray. Approx 15-18 4" pots fit in tray. Top of soil will stay dry, preventing conditions favorable for fungus knats and algae/mold.

[@harrypeterson9287]

For indoor plants, a container with a little dish soap or laundry detergent left by the base of the plant works like a sticky trap. I put about an 1/8th inch of soap in tea saucers around the base of the plants and caught tons of them the first day, the amount began to dwindle pretty quickly and now I barely see any after about 6 weeks. Not a total cure, but it's something you can do right now for pretty much free to help get rid of them.

[@karindinarda8755]

Wish I would have seen this video before I brought my herbs in for the winter. I was infested with them. I tried yellow sticky traps, they helped a little and were full of gnats. I ended up taking my plants outside and will try all your tips this spring on my new plants! Thank you

[@ChristyLynnMiles]

OH MY GOSH!! You have NO IDEA how wonderful stumbling across this video has been!! I literally have been seeing these tiny little black fly type gnats. I got some potted indoor plants from my niece for Christmas. I figured out they were coming from them. I didn’t have a clue what they were. Fungus gnats. Ha! Who knew! I didn’t know what to do about them because it was before finding this video and I didn’t know what a fungus gnat was. So I treated each of my spiked plants with a mixture of assorted essential oils and that seem to help tremendously. Thank you so much for sharing this!!

[@MarigoldsintheGarden]

I also have found that placing yellow sticky paper around the seed punnets helps with catching quite a few of the fly gnats. You can put small fish tank pebbles around the tops of the soil once your seeds have fully germinated into plants.

[@mneraasen224]

The struggle is real. I’ve been fighting them since before two Thanksgivings. We had a ton of rain the really warm weather. We were getting our floors done and the workers needed the door open. One guy was in our small bedroom that doesn’t have a screen. And we didn’t know he had the window open and the light was on. When they left there were hundreds oh them everywhere and of course groups in the wall near the light. After trying many things I got yellow sticky traps, mosquito bits and a bug zapper. I finally have it down to only the plants in my room. And I’ve almost one the battle🤦‍♀️ I will be adding some sand too🙌🏻

[@rodneywelch3556]

That’s what those are! We have gotten the sticky fly trap that looks like a night light. It has caught soooo many. This video came at the right time. Now I can get rid of them. Yahoo! Thanks a bunch❤

[@franksinatra1070]

I was overwhelmed with them last year so this year I did the boiling water method but also added mosquito bit and peroxide to the mix. So far no fungus gnats.

[@ConstancePhillips]

I really needed to see this video! Thank you for the advice!

[@brokerken]

Luke never fails to educate and entertain

[@joannevenere3552]

I was completely overwhelmed indoors with these foggers last season. They came in through a bag of soil. I’ve been gardening for several years and last year was the first year I’ve had them. I tried most remedies and nothing worked. I used Mosquito Bits too. That did nothing. I have a few this year but those sticky traps are keeping it under control (so far)

[@carolmalignaggi669]

Thanks for the video! I used a spray bottle of peroxide last year and it worked really well! The plants weren't hurt at all from the peroxide. I find that Neem Oil has an odor that I don't like having in the house. I only use that outside.

[@MIgardener]

Neem oil definitely has a very interesting smell.

[@lindaannb]

After repeated infestation with fungus gnats in my orchids, I bake all potting soil and orchid bark that I bring into my house. Orchids in bark are especially hard to treat. The gnats can live in all of the gaps between the bark pieces and don’t have to come to the surface. Gnatrol, together with sticky traps, kept the numbers low but to eliminate them all, I had to treat with an insecticide, too.

[@Santa4me]

Great vid man.. I use Neem cake instead of Neem oil (Crushed seed).. Easier to disolve in water or soak, you can dump it on the top of the soil (Kills gnats and fertilizes the plants). I like neem oil for foliar spraying if i have insect problems.. Try neem cake with gnats 😀

[@sarahb.6475]

This is my first time dealing with fungas gnats. I had repotted a few of my tropical indoor plants and unknown to me these gnats were in the new bag of potting mix.. At first I had thought they were sour flies but quickly realized they were buzzing around my plants. Looked it up + fungas gnats! I am trying a few methods + just ordered those sticky yellow papers from Amazon: will arrive on Tuesday. I have treated with hydrogen peroxide water + have placed a layer of cactus mix on the top of the plants. I will see what works.

[@sattik836]

I fought with gnats for over two years and what worked for me was Raid mosquito plug-in. Give it two or three days and you will get rid of those flying monsters.

[@AtollSurfer]

all tricks work, the easiest most reliable way is to cover the pot with material, old shirt, sheet, any thing, this prevents the gnats from getting in and, more importantly out.

[@jamurray64]

Thanks for this great video. Can perlite be used instead of vermiculite on top of soil?

[@annagray1928]

I have made a spray using Tree Tea oil and dish soap and water. I spray the top and the bottom of the pot. Works great.

[@bmk0168]

I’d like to try that! What’s the amounts of tea tree oil and dish soap to water? Thanks!

[@dontwantthis]

Surprised you didn't mention misquote bits it works quite well, it killed about 99% of mine within a week

[@michaelbenson2121]

Agreed 100% - mosquito bits used as directed and yellow sticky traps finally stopped the cycle in my greenhouse. I tried numerous other methods with varying results.

[@nancyspanich3574]

Thank you for all the information. I’ve used other products which did not help. I will try each of your suggestions right away

[@NanaSuze77]

Thanks for the tips Luke! 👍

[@clairefoster1580]

Really helpful video Luke. Thank you!

[@barryganslein986]

I use perlite on top of all my seedlings and indoor plants, stopped the problem.

[@SD89120]

Just watched your very helpful video on fungus gnats and you mentioned the egg laying process. The organ of egg laying is called an ovipositor.

[@cherylgrove6782]

Thank you for differentiating between fruit flies and fungus gnats … I thought I had fruit flies last year & wondered why they didn’t go for the vinegar & went for the sticky fly paper instead. Great advice !

[@MIgardener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dianelarwood597]

Aquarium gravel, vermiculite, bottom watering, yellow sticky cards and mosquito dunks. I’ve tried them all finally got my plants fungus gnats free.

[@camicri4263]

Thank you Luke! Blessings 🙏💞

[@shravyamangaloreharish3227]

Hi. I was wondering. Would it be a good idea to repot the plant with the same soil after having (let's say) baked it (the soil) dry?

[@chickenpatti1362]

Thanks Luke!I'm going to put sand on my houseplants.I don't have them now&I want to keep it that way since it is dirt buying season.

[@katharine5606]

Thanks, Luke-- once again I learned helpful stuff!

[@bevstegeman]

Just 10 days ago I planted my Hosta seeds. They were topped with the fine vermculite, watered in and put on a heat mat. The flats had the clear covers on them. Three days later I checked on them and they were crawling with fungus gnats. I put two yellow sticky traps with each flat and returned the plastic covers. The sticky traps are now full of the critters, but I still see some jumping around in there. Next up, the mosquito bits if I can find them!

[@heatherpfeil2939]

So fantastic! I only knew about the boiling water. Will definitely use vermiculite and neem. 💕

[@eileentenenbaum1613]

Can I put a layer of perlite on top of the soil instead of sand or vermiculite?

[@historyandhorseplaying7374]

You didn't mention the most effective preventive measure I've found so far as a new grower-- moving air (i.e. overhead household fan on a high setting, or a cheap oscillating fan etc). Fungus gnats are bad fliers and are unable to penetrate the wall of moving air to even get to the plants, much less be able to land on them in the wind. Not practical for a large operation, but works for a small group of plants in a room with a regular overhead household fan on a HIGH setting.

[@sdonia89]

Hey Luke, what kind of sand would you recommend? Looking at Home Depot, I see quikrete, play sand, and a washed play sand. I'm not sure which is safest for a vegetable garden.

[@hildachacon001]

I also use the boiling water method but I use an electric fly zapper, works great if & when some do hatch. I did not know about the sand method, great idea! WHAT TYPE OF SAND? Thank you.

[@mio.giardino]

I use mosquito dunks, we have the ‘puck’ version here in Canada that are meant to be tossed into swampy areas to control mosquitos by killing off their tadpoles with a bacteria. For in house use, because our water is chlorinated, I set out my plant water for at least 24hrs before use before I add a small chunk of my ‘dunk’ and let that sit overnight before I water my plants.

[@MarysGardenShed]

Definitely going to be trying this as we always fight with the gnats and just can't seem to win.

[@SconnerStudios]

Perfect timing for me. I have more gnats than I've ever had and I'm getting sick of them around my house.

[@zeruty]

Using mosquito bits or mosquito dunks or gnatrol are easier and more effective

[@normanhooten9445]

Thanks for the sand tip. A very economical solution. Also I will try Neem in the water. I always used a sprayer, with mixed results. I plan to try a sand layer in my seed starter trays. I'm a big fan of your videos!

[@iamslbc]

Need additional gnat help. How do I deal with the gnats invading my hydroponic lettuces and micro greens? I assume I start with treating all of my house plants. Is neem oil safe for growing hydroponically grown food plants? Does it concentrate in that environment? I am growing the micro greens on silicon screens. The lettuces start in the peat seed starting cubes and clay spheres. Again is it safe to simple add boiling water or neem oil water mix to the peat in the same way I would potting mix?

[@dalegaa4094]

I got a package of yellow sticky traps yesterday to have on hand. Fungus gnats are sometimes a problem in house plants. I'm going to try sand for my seedlings.

[@rockys7726]

What about a shallow dish with water and a little bit of soap? I put it out and within a few days are full of drowned gnats. When the water evaporates I just refill with water since the soap is still in there.

[@kbjerke]

Neem oil has been very helpful in my outdoor garden. Thanks for the video, Luke!

[@IAMGiftbearer]

Alot of seed starting mixes already are sterilized. I have had almost no fungus gnats since using that rather than potting mix. The ones I've had success with are Hoss, Burpey, and Jiffy seed starting mixes. I have also used the vermiculite method but have found it's better to add it after you see sprouts come out of the ground (and be careful not to get any on the top of the sprouts so that the pieces don't stick to the cotyledons or seed coat and kill the plant). I have had this happen several times when the sprouts had to push through the layer of vermiculite and it sticks like glue. Once adhered it is near impossible to get it off. It will glue the seed coat shut or if it sticks to cotyledons will prevent them from getting the light they need and that plant will wilt and die off.

[@cherihabegger9856]

Thank you for this! I am struggling with fungus gnats and needed some ways to fight them.

[@zeruty]

Using mosquito bits/dunks is easier and more effective

[@mkh7682]

Hello. You introduced the neem oil product in your video. I cannot find this product in my country. So, as I understood, neem oil was used in it. Can this oil be prepared and mixed with water and sprayed on the soil or plants?

[@kittiew260]

Great video gnats every gardener or houseplant keeper pest. TIP. Purchase coarse vermiculite and use a coffee grinder to make fine. Coarse is always cheaper. (Learned that tip from Nicole on KZbin Flower hill farm) Always bottom water and allow top soil dry between watering, too. When watering, make misquito tea watering. Neem is only good if your using true cold pressed neem oil which you typically can't purchase in stores. The rusted garden has cold pressed neem.

[@shirleyk623]

@kittie. Lowe's sells the neem oil with azadractin in it if you need it in a hurry and can't wait until you order it from Gary @The Rusted Garden

[@kittiew260]

@shirleyk623 great advice ty

[@hackiehackerson]

they're in my garden outside. second year in a row in the same spots. ugh I use neem spray but I'll try the watering. thx

[@SH-jy6lc]

I got myself a butterwort, a carnivorous plant. It eats them, yeah. Pretty cool. Also they recommend Neem cake solution to water plants. Safe and effective.

[@MorroccoM13]

Luke: that brand of neem oil is void of azradactrin (sp?). You need cold pressed neem oil. There is also mosquito bits - works very well.

[@sethirium9542]

learned my lesson with top watering them , gonna buy some neem oil tomorrow , i'm gonna try get the soil as dry as possible , can i use neem oil to bottom water them from this point forward to kill the fungus gnats? or does it have to be watered from the top again?

[@BeeLZBeeb]

I put gravel on top to line my pots but today found that i still have a huge issue with thrm getting in underneath and laying their eggs in the base of the dishes. What can i use to stop them underneath as well as on top? We have sticky traps, they do help with the adults

[@MrTfinocchi]

Fungus gnats sand and mulch. Is it practical to mulch with straw and then sand? I have my vegetables in outdoor containers?

[@Sandy-ch1mi]

Thank you! How do you catch the water from the green stalk? Do you guide the water tube into a large bucket? I am setting up a couple greenstalks in my kitchen and living room, and don't want to ruin the floors.

[@davidvankainen6711]

It was finally dry soil on top, combined with bottom watering for me (houseplants after transplant starts finished). If it happens again, like the idea of not letting eggs hatch perhaps with neem oil, but maybe my favorite wood food oil, Conrads.

[@razortec01]

Your video saved me. Thank you and I'm now subscribed

[@cathycharron-folsom4504]

I use microwave for 1 min for 4-5 cups soil. Works great

[@Gardeningchristine]

Wouldn’t recommend putting soil in the microwave because it could have some metal in it and that could fry or catch your microwave on fire.

[@davepaull2883]

I’m the 1st one today…. Woo Hooo! Keep at it buddy, you’re great!

[@gannas42]

Is neem seed meal the same as neem cake? The reason I am so interested it ease of application. Getting our neem oil liquid takes time in hot water (were in the 60s in the nursery right now due to winter) and the more effort something takes, the less likely it makes it into the routine. Really dig the advice here. I put 1/2" to 1" of white volcanic rock pebbles (like used in bonsai) on top of our plants' soil. Seems to help protect somewhat from fungus gnat. Hard to be certain... always starting new seedlings so there is always something that we cannot cover with rock in the nursery.

[@earthisflat]

Thank you Luke, I think your advice will actually save my dwarf mulberry tree 👍

[@1-7-7-6]

Hello Luke thank you so much for doing all these videos it helps out a lot!! I have a question do you have any videos on how to treat and prevent spider mites. Every year without fail I have to fight these little demons and barely managed to keep my plants alive until I can put them back out in the spring I love to know a better way to preferably prevent them but also to treat them if they do attack my plants. Thank you so much!!

[@Sandy-ch1mi]

Thanks Can you show how you catch the water that comes out of the green stalk?

[@raist888]

Diamatious earth is good to add to top, kills them, and fly strips

[@hollyyoung4051]

This is a new problem for me. One plant introduced these suckered and I'm trying to a handle on it before it gets to my other plants. It's the bedroom and bathroom plants that have the issue. Heading to plant store now

[@pennyarizzio2824]

❓❓❓Can I put the neem oil in with my water sol. fertilizer for my Petunia Plants? Great video!!!

[@gendoll5006]

I found I don’t have fungus gnats in the two pothos I have potted up with potting soil mixed with red clay soil from my yard (about 1/4 of the total pot). The soil isn’t like… “fluffy” and loose at the surface and I guess that prevents them from digging down (they live and lay eggs in the top 2-3 inches of soil so can definitely go farther than their 1/16in “deposited” 😂). But yea, it’s not enough red clay to make it hard and compact but enough to kind of prevent pests from digging around and getting in. And my pothos LOVE it!

[@jwhite5396]

I’m starting seedlings inside and have fungus gnats. I don’t want to kill pollinators when I plant the seedlings out. Does Neem kill bees and butterflies? Is it in the plant forever?

[@wynandrutten3461]

Hi Luke, Always enjoy your videos, very informative! I grow in USDA zone 4 in Canada. I had a major Fungus Gnat infestation last year and was desperate to find and and have looked for Neem oil and mosquito bits. It turns out they are not legal for sale in Canada! Will use boiling water to sterilize my soil before using it and sand or vermiculite. Hopefully it will keep them away. I

[@richardeicholtz4868]

I'm regards to neem, can you use neem tea or does it have to be the oil? Thanks

[@juliekovach9784]

Since I am starting indoors for transplant in coco coir DIY mix, I do not need to sterilize this, correct?

[@johnransom1146]

Shake the container a bit to even the sand out and spread it right up to the stems. Can you use mosquito dunks to control fungus gnats?

[@tzarvladimir2987]

Definitely, I've had luck with them, though ideally you'd want to combine a few methods. I would cut the dunk into 1/8 pieces, fill up a container with water, give it two days to dechlorinate (assuming your tap water is chloramine) and then leave the piece in for a day or two (you'll know if it's working by the kinda fruity smell). Usually got a few uses out of each piece.

[@patricecarter5096]

Very good video....I run into that problem now and I didn't know what to do. Thanks Luke, you helped me a lot. Always looking forward for your next video...do u have a video how to use shade clothes in the summer. I live in southern Utah and we get 100F+ in the summer...thank u

[@Robin_Lewis]

Thanks trying to help my daughter out. Knew I had to come hete😊

[@tuesdaysparks4971]

We have them at our office... I water once per week and my coworker who is new to plants is worried about her plants getting too dry so waters more frequently. Going to try to encourage her to let me water her plants with neem oil so if hers are the ones hatching I don't get the flies.... solve it for both of us since our offices adjoin each other.

[@kathyheil29]

Thank you for this video, really helpful!

[@clem24u]

Neam oil. Thanks. I'll be doing it this morning, no evening.

[@viviancutler3918]

Would I havev fungus gnats in my Grow Room with plants using the Kratky Method in Jars, and AeroGardens? The little flying insects I sometimes see....Are they Fungus Gnats? from the peat pods? Or? Thank You 🥰

[@sallyfreeman7994]

Can I still grow seed an potting up if I don’t have grow lights that’s what’s putting me off starting seeds new gardener thank you😊

[@cindylooney375]

Love these solutions! Thank you!

[@LittleGardenGrow]

Would perlite work instead of sand?