The little flies are feared by hobby gardeners. Here you can find out which home remedies you can use to drive away and fight fungus gnats.
In Germany alone there are around 350 different species of fungus gnats (Sciaridae) that can infest our ornamental and vegetable plants both indoors and outdoors. The larvae of the fungus gnat often appear in large numbers and form so-called processions, which is why the larvae are also known as armyworms.
If you have problems with fungus gnats, you can first try home remedies to drive them away or fight them. First, we explain below how to recognize a fungus gnat infestation, and then what home remedies you can use against fungus gnats.
Detect fungus gnat infestation
The fungus gnats are small mosquitoes that can reach a body size of one to seven millimeters. The body of the fungus gnat is thin and dark in color. The larvae also have a slim shape, are whitish to gray in color and have a black head.
The quickest way to spot a fungus gnat infestation is to see the little gnats buzzing around a flower pot - especially if you bump into it or water the plants. Plants often suffer from stunted growth and remain small due to sciarid infestation.
In the potting soil you can also see the larvae of the fungus gnats, which feed on the roots of the plants. The plants are severely damaged by these nibbled areas and even the stalks of the affected plants can be hollowed out. Find out more about fungus gnats and what to do if they are infested.
Prevent fungus gnats with sand and co.
Sand is an optimal helper that can be used for the preventive treatment of a fungus gnat infestation. A thin layer of fine sand is added to the potting soil to allow the female fungus gnat to lay their eggsimpede. They lay their eggs on the surface of the ground - but the layer of sand prevents them from doing so. Since the fungus gnats need a moist surface to lay their eggs, this method is extremely effective. Quartz sand is particularly suitable for this method of control.
However, make sure that you do not moisten the sand when watering and it is better to supply the plants with the water they need via the saucer. This method is only effective if the soil surface is dry with sand and the fungus gnats are unable to lay their eggs as a result.
Fighting fungus gnats with coffee grounds
A versatile resource that is used in many households and unfortunately often just ends up in the garbage is coffee grounds. This can help you optimally in combating the annoying fungus gnats. Dry the coffee grounds thoroughly before using them to avoid mold and then store them in a dry place. Spread the dried coffee grounds on the potting soil around the infested plants, because this thin layer - like the sand - prevents the female fungus gnat from laying eggs. This disrupts the reproduction of the small pests and the coffee grounds also act as a fertilizer. You can find out more about using coffee grounds as fertilizer here in our fertilizer article on the subject.
Fight fungus gnats with baking soda
Most of us have baking powder or baking soda at home for baking, and it's also inexpensive to buy. Using baking soda for fungus gnats is extremely easy, as you simply sift the powder onto the surface of the potting soil. After that, moisten the baking soda and just wait. The larvae of the fungus gnat absorb the moist powder and die as a result.
Fight fungus gnats with tea tree oil
Another simple method of fighting fungus gnats is tea tree oil. Many of us have this in our homes as the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of this essential oil are highly valued. To combat fungus gnats, add 20 drops of tea tree oil to one liter of water, mix everything thoroughly and water the affected plants with it. Since this method only catches the larvae in the soil, you should also use yellow boards to also catch the adult fungus gnats that are buzzing around. Received hereLearn more about yellow boards and how to use them.
Fight fungus gnats with lavender oil
Lavender essential oil is not only soothing and helps when you can't fall asleep, it's also great for fighting sciarid gnats. It shows a similar effect as tea tree oil and the application is the same. Simply mix 20 drops of the essential oil with a liter of water and water the affected plants. If the oil does not mix well with the water, you can add a tablespoonful of soap nut powder as an emulsifier, which can also be used for washing clothes.
Fight fungus gnats with neem oil
Another effective oil against fungus gnats is neem oil. This comes from a tropical tree whose plant parts have long been used to combat a wide variety of insects. You only need 10 milliliters of neem oil for one liter of water. Mix these two components together. After that, water the infested plants with the mixture of neem and water. Conveniently, the neem is not harmful to us humans or our pets and can be used without hesitation. You can find out where else you can use neem oil here in our special article.
If you don't want to mix a neem oil solution yourself, you can also find ready-made preparations on the market. Our Plantura organic neem is 100% herbal and effectively fights the larvae of the sciarid gnat.
Fight fungus gnats with garlic
There are several methods to combat sciarids with garlic (Allium sativum). The effect of the garlic cloves lies in the sulphur-containing substance allicin, which can kill the larvae of the fungus gnat. You can either cut off the tip of a whole garlic bulb and then stick the bulb into the potting soil, or you can simply peel off the garlic bulb, divide it into individual cloves and cut the garlic cloves into small cubes. Then simply spread the garlic cubes on the soil of the affected plants and be amazed at the effective effect of the garlic.
Fight fungus gnats with parsley
In the kitchen or in our herb bed we find another method of fighting fungus gnats - parsley (Petroselinumcrispum). Simply take a bunch of parsley and chop it up, then spread it evenly over the substrate surface. Parsley contains ingredients that fungus gnats hate - so they will avoid your plants.
Fight fungus gnats with nutmeg
With another reach into the spice rack you will find another effective helper against the fungus gnats. Nutmeg fights the larvae of fungus gnats in the soil with the myristic acid it contains. Simply sprinkle the fine nutmeg powder on the soil. When watered, the nutmeg then gets deeper into the earth - there it fights the larvae of the pests.
Fighting fungus gnats with matches
A particularly simple method of fighting fungus gnats and their larvae is to use matches. Burn some matches and then stick them, burned head down, in the soil of the flower pots. The tip of the match contains sulphur, hence the name matchstick. This then fights the larvae in the potting soil and prevents the adult fungus gnats from nesting in the soil.
Fight fungus gnats with stockings
A method that seems a little strange but is nevertheless effective is the use of stockings. The aim here is to prevent the female fungus gnats from laying their eggs in the potting soil. Simply pull the fine stocking over the flower pot from below and tie it around the stem of the houseplant. This not only prevents the fungus gnats from laying their eggs, but also prevents the larvae in the soil from leaving the pot to mate. However, for this method to be effective, you must leave the stocking over the flower pot for at least six weeks.
If you can't get a fungus gnat infestation under control with these home remedies, you will find other ways to combat it here.