How To Get Rid Of Gnats In Houseplants

[@Mycityplants]

🪰 How to get rid of Gnats on plants (detailed guide) - mycityplants.com/plant-care/how-to-get-rid-of-gnats-in-plants

[@katedix5248]

It's rare to find a tutorial that gives you what you want to know without burying it in 5mins of faff - thank you!

[@Mycityplants]

Aww, thank you very much for your kind words. Means a lot to me. Green Cheers!

[@Robert_A_Keyboards4948]

Fascinating! I don't think I have seen anyone recommend removing the top two inches of soil! I have done it, however, to redress the top inches with perlite. Great tips! Aerating the soil is commonly done with grass and other outdoor vegetation. Not many recommend indoor plant soil. I like!

[@Mycityplants]

Hi Robert, I am glad my tips are helpful. May your plants grow healthy and thrive! Thank you for watching 🌱

[@DejaDrewit]

This is the first video that actually helped!! Watched it yesterday, and today gnats are GONE!!!!!!!! let’s see if I can keep it that way! I’ve had them constantly on and off for 2 years!! I made sure all my soil is dry, and added some sticky traps. I also did a light spray of neem oil and hydrogen peroxide but i duno if thats doing anything honestly, Im just so happy they were driving me INSANEEEEEEE

[@Mycityplants]

Woohoo! Hi Deja, Great! Just make sure the provide enough time for the soil to dry between watering as these annoying gnats survive and breed only in constantly moist environment. I would also recommend to remove 3" of topsoil and add a new layer of fresh potting mix. May your plants grow happy and healthy. Thank you for watching 🌱

[@DejaDrewit]

Thank u i will try this. Ive seen so many videos and none of them explained how to get rid of the fungus AND the gnats!!

[@Mycityplants]

Hi again :) Hope you will solve the gnat issue :) Remember, proper watering is the key as Gnats thrive only in constantly moist environment. Green Luck and thank you for watching 🌱

[@mbarello5903]

Change your soil with Pon, Gnats do not lay eggs in the Pon

[@zorabanks5349]

Thanks for sharing. Will try changing out my soil. Sick of the gnats!

[@Mycityplants]

Thank you for watching. Green Luck! 👍

[@maryloud985]

I want you to know I love my plants but for a year I have been struggling to get rid of them. I would buy new soil and still get gnats. I bought two five gallon buckets and pored boiling water through it to kill any larva in the new soil. Removed the soil and per your advice and a week later we are free of the gnats. Thank you so much. Between the spider mites and the gnats we were about ready to give up until we found your videos. Thank you so much.

[@Mycityplants]

Hi Mary, I am impressed with your determination. Remember, the gnats can only survive and breed in the constantly moist soil. Make sure to provide enough time for the top soil to dry well between watering. Pots should have drainage. After watering get rid of any excess water from the saucer as we do not want plants to stand in water 🌱

[@kaneshanobles9088]

So you added boiling hot water to the soil and it cleaned it! Did you let the soil dry completely before repotting? I repotted my plants like 3-4 months ago and it keeps getting gnats

[@janinerosenke5463]

Your channel is the best. 🌱🌱🌱

[@Mycityplants]

Dear Janine, Thank you! 🌱

[@hpeteacher9445]

Thank you Juliette! Learned a lot and I thought I was an expert to getting rid of Fungus Gnats. Do you recommend using Mosquito Bits infused water or a peroxide/water drench to get rid of Fungus Gnats? I do remove the top 3-4 inches of soil off the top of the plant, but I do not like to remove all the soil off the plant's roots, since I do not want to put it into shock. I will use bottom watering to help water the plant and keeping the top of the soil dry. I also use a moisture meter to get an accurate level of water in the plant's soil. Hope you have a great day! Gerry 😎

[@Mycityplants]

Hi Gerry, I know you are fighting this issue for a while. I believe you said the community pond is the source. A while back, we had a major gnat infestation in one of our client’s office. The cleaning crew kept watering plants even though they were under our care and they were informed not to water plants. But not words or “Do not water” signs worked to stop them:) Eventually, the cleaning crew got the message and stopped. But the infestation was out of control by then and plants were so overwatered that’s the soil would not dry out for weeks. There were 80 or so plants in this office. This was the first gnat issue we had to deal with. We were determined to solve the problem and save the plants. We have tried everything there is to do to get rid of gnats: - took all the plants and put them in a huge board room for easier treatments - had terminator come and treat the quarantine area and the rest of the office - aerated the soil to help it dry faster - set up traps - used mosquito bits, just enough to cover the topsoil completely, to kill eggs on the top layer and prevent adults from landing and laying more eggs. We were not able to diffuse bits in water because watering was out of the question. Plants were too wet already. *** I have to say, Mosquito bits helped a bit. - we have replaced the topsoil on some plants and repotted others. Eventually repotted all plants. It was a long and very frustrating battle. It is very hard to impossible to succeed when the infestation is so heavy + office environment does not help the process. After-hours, weekends and holidays, the majority of commercial buildings turn the AC/Heat off. Temperature changes and the lack of air circulation stress plants even more and makes any pest issue worse - especially during warm seasons. We have managed to save a few smaller plants but most plants had to be taken away. This was the hardest but the best lesson I have learned about the gnat infestation. Now I know, plants that have their roots damaged by being severely over watered, when they are heavily infested should be simply discarded and replaced. If the infestation is light to moderate, it can be eliminated without the use of heavy, strong chemicals :) 🌱 I have recently used Mosquito bits on a set of small Pothos plants in another office that just noticed few flies here and there. I have covered the topsoil with bits (used just enough to cover it, not a thick layer), placed sticky traps, and told the client not to water plants until the soil is dry or when the plant is droopy (this guys always come back up after watering). I have advised lowering the water amount - use just enough water so it can reach the lower roots, saturate the soil without making it soaking wet. The bottom watering method was not an option in this situation but when watering through the soil that is covered with mosquito bits, the water gets infused with these as it runs through. We have addressed the issue early and the problem is gone! Once plants were free of infestation, we have removed the bits from the topsoil and topped it up with a fresh potting mix. No more gnats and healthy, happy plants! If the Mosquito bits method works for you, this is great! Drenching the soil with infused with bits/peroxide water - sounds like heavy watering. Remember not to overwater the plants - solution or not. Use just the needed amount of water per watering and allow the soil to dry between giving your plants a drink. Try the bottom watering method and let me know if this helped. Re-potting a plant in a fresh soil is less damaging or stressful to a plant than infested soil/roots + all the solutions a plant has to absorb :))) Green Luck!!!

[@hpeteacher9445]

@@Mycityplants Juliette, thank you! You ROCK! I do not use Mosquito Bits on top of the soil, since they get mold/fungus on them and look gross. The infused water method works for me. I do use the Mosquito Bits and sometime Hydrogen Peroxide. I never soak the plants, since it will take way too long to dry out and attract Fungus Gnats. Even though they have been terrible this summer, I haven't noticed them inside, until last night. I was watching TV and had my ceiling fan & light on. I looked up and saw A LOT of adult FG's crawling on the fan base and lights. I freaked! They come in through the screens. I have a long crevice tool for my vacuum. I put it on and got rid of each and every one of them. I do use all three of my ceiling fans when I water my plants. Helps to dry the top of the soil. Thank you for the chopstick trick to aerate the soil. Really does the trick. Their is a systemic pest insecticide by Bonnide that I will use if one of my plants get a pest. I also have used Gnat Nix. It is a soil cover made of recycled glass that cuts the exoskeleton of the FG's. It is expensive but works. I use that too if a plant gets them in the soil. Keep fighting the good fight! 😎

[@Mycityplants]

Positive attitude is a big part of success! Thank you for sharing your tips👍🌱

[@hpeteacher9445]

@@Mycityplants More than welcome! You are so right! They are positively driving me nuts! LOL! 😁

[@cbisme6414]

@@Mycityplants I've had these little flies in my apartment and didn't know what they were and the cause, it happened after buying a few orchids in mostly bark and spagnum moss in glass hurricane lamp "pots" I bought a blue light zapper which I left on at night as my nightlight every night and seem to have got rid of them but I'm guessing I'll have to still put new soil in my pots... What do you think, do I still repot in the glass vases where the roots are on show too?

[@laglossine7778]

Thanks! Very interesting tips, but shouldn't you dispose of the gloves after handling the infested soil? Maybe I missed that part. I had a mild infestation and ordered live nematodes worms. They worked miracles in one application, and that was 2 years ago 👍🏻👍🏻😀

[@Mycityplants]

Hello and Thank you for watching! 🌱 Great point - yes, gloves should be washed well with dish soap and sprayed with rubbing alcohol after attending a sick plant (or discarded). Happy to know that nematodes worms worked and your plants are now happy and gnats free! Thank you for sharing 💚

[@carlosjimenez2460]

Hi Juliette, Thank you so much for this very interesting video. I have a Ficus bonsai which I have had for almost 10 years now. I believe the plant has had Fungus Gnats for a very long time now I would say years. I have tried different things with little success, although the plant seems happy and thriving even with the gnats, so I imagine they are harmless? I will do exactly what you said, I will replace all the soil and probably add some perlite to air the soil better and water it a bit less! Wish me luck and thank you so much for all your great videos!

[@Mycityplants]

Hi Carlos, Wishing you green luck and victory in this fight! 🌱

[@paulawelch9186]

I’m exhausted from trying to get rid of gnats, to the point of sitting down and crying. I have a house full of plants and It’s for 2 reasons. I absolutely love plants and I also sell them , so a lot of time is invested. So getting attacked by gnats over and over again had me to the point of giving up. This video popped up at the perfect time giving me hope. I still have a big problem, that might stop or hinder this working for me. I sell Lucky Bamboo and always have 40 or 50 of them, not counting the 40 plus of mine. They are potted in gravel and water, stopping me from having the other plants dry and preventing more from showing up. I really am worn out from constantly trying to stop the gnat merry go round and constant worry it causes. I was so excited about your video and then remembered my bamboo growing in water. I will definitely do exactly what you said to do with regular houseplants…BUT…what can I do about the bamboo??? Is this something that I will be fighting forever? PLEASE, I desperately need your help 🥺 I also want to apologize for this message being so long. 😥

[@Mycityplants]

Hi Paula, Yes, the gnat issue can be overwhelming :( Lucky Bamboo plants are frequently the originators of nasty fungus gnat infestations due to their high propensity for rot or fungus growth. Change the plant's water out at least once a week to avoid stagnant water that can cause rot. Wash roots well before placing plants back in fresh water. Beware of rotting roots or getting organic material in the plant's water. If a stem looks sickly (yellowing), remove it. It will not get better. It will only decay and become a gnat feast. Keep the air moving - fans ON. Lack of airflow makes water stagnant faster. Hope this helps. Green Luck & Thank you for watching 🌱

[@devilmecare]

My plants are on a shelf along my wall on top of 2 book cases. Gnats had takeover. I got those mouse glue boards. I left them flat and thumb tacked them to the wall behind my plants. They went from white to brown. The small fan I have blows them on the glue boards. It has helped considerably.

[@lucian.cojocaru8731]

Thanks for the video! Very good explained and i have to learn to water less! I hate gnats!

[@Mycityplants]

Hi Lucian, Glad the video is helpful. Green Cheers & Thank you for watching 🌱

[@perlitamorales5837]

Im so happy watching this vedio. I think i can apply this method on my infested dracaena indoor plants. Thank you julliet you are the best

[@Mycityplants]

Thank you, Perlita 🌱

[@gisellegonzalez6784]

Thank you for all the information! Will you be doing a video on aphids? I recently came across some and I just dumped the heavily infested plant but I want to save the surrounding plants.

[@Mycityplants]

Hi Giselle, Believe it or not but I never had to deal with this issue. This article might be helpful about how to deal with aphids: www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Aphids Green Luck and Thank you for watching 🌱

[@natashamontoya3263]

These were great tips, my newest plant is white sage, I'm trying to learn all I can about sage, but the place I got these from used the wrong soil for them, I found this out by research, I've lost 1 out of seven already, and another one is suffering, I repotted as soon as I saw it wilting and sure enough the soil was still moist and wasn't drying fast enough, I'm usually very good with keeping my plants looking lush, but want to save it, and hoping I can find more info

[@Mycityplants]

Hi Natasha, This article might be helpful www.gardenguides.com/112984-grow-white-sage-indoors.html Thank you for watching! Green Luck 🌱

[@ROlson-dx2jc]

Thank you for the great tips. I have a Thanksgiving cactus I think the gnats were in the potting mix. I only have a couple of gnats at this point. I would like to try the sticky traps are they safe for my cat?

[@Mycityplants]

Hi! Thank you for watching. The trap might glue on your cat's fur if it comes close to it 😀 Here is the video about how to save an overwatered plant - main reason for gnat infestation - bit.ly/3qtI1T6 Green Cheers!

[@zionlee175]

I sprayed Ant Out on top of soil once a week, total 4-6 weeks, all the flies were die.

[@Mycityplants]

Hi Zion, Thank you for sharing. Make sure to adjust the watering routine or the gnats will return 🌱

[@paintersinasnap6427]

Super helpful! Thank you

[@Mycityplants]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching 🌱

[@tinyhome-ownerbuilders4788]

when you first plant in the lechuza self watering plant, do you need to still water manually until the roots grow through the bottom tray??

[@Mycityplants]

Hi! Thank you for watching. Yes, you need to wait 3-4 month before using the reservoir. Here is our video about how to water plants in Lechuza Planters: bit.ly/3bWSmRs May your plants grow happy and healthy!

[@tinyhome-ownerbuilders4788]

thank you :)@@Mycityplants

[@lanabee6281]

Hello miss Juliette:) You said that gnats growing and flying around moist soil But in the pot Lechuza I can see the soil always moist… I’m confuse. If my plant one of them had a gnats Is it possible they can put eggs in different plant?

[@Mycityplants]

Hi Lana, Thank you for watching! 🌱 - The most common mistake is to refill the reservoir as soon as it is empty. This make soil to stay constantly moist. After a plant uses all the water from the reservoir, we need to provide some time for the soil to dry before watering/refilling the reservoir. Here is my video about how to water plants in Lechuza: bit.ly/3bWSmRs Soil Moisture meter (tool used in the video) helps to establish a proper watering frequency mycityplants.com/products/soil-moisture-meter - Yes, gnats can infest other plants. Place these amzn.to/3ob1LMm on all your plants to catch gnats before they lay eggs. Wishing you victory and plants free of gnats 🌱

[@FBIagent22-q1d]

I have a string of pearls that have gnats, there is no way to remove the top soil. Suggestions?

[@Mycityplants]

Hi! Sounds like you might have overwatered your Sting of Hearts. The best way is to repot the plant, remove all old soil and pot it in fresh soil. These plants prefer a tighter pot. Use a pot with drainage that is just 2-3 inches larger that the plant's root system. If you have any other overwatered plants, here is our helpful video about how to save plants and prevent this issue from happening in the future: bit.ly/3qtI1T6 Green Luck! 🌱

[@mbarello5903]

I think the best method to get rid of gnats is to use Pon (or leca, etc.) for all our plants !!

[@Mycityplants]

Hi! Yes, PON is great to prevent gnat party :)

[@muneeba1329]

But won’t aerating cause the gnats to go deeper into the soil

[@Mycityplants]

Hi Muneeba, Thank you for watching and for sharing your tip. 🌱 In my experience, soil aeration helps with the gnat issue. It allows the oxygen to get through, dries soil of overwatered plants faster and, as the result, eliminates the environment for gnats to breed in.