Natural Ways to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats

by Pierre C. Rumpf 06/12/2023

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

Pierre C. Rumpf

Broker Profile: Pierre comes from a diverse background. His adolescent and early adult years found him working for his father, a renowned structural engineer, and his brother, an architectural designer and general contractor. His knowledge of construction design (architectural & structural) and practices is significant. He coupled his construction background with his considerable sales experience, by becoming licensed to sell real estate in Massachusetts in 1986.

Pierre is also a licensed Attorney in the Commonwealth, who formerly worked for the Massachusetts Attorney General’s office as a litigator in the Victim & Witness Assistance Division of the Family & Community Crimes Bureau, litigating cases involving victims of violent crime, and since then has had his own legal practice.

For decades, Pierre has excelled in helping buyers of real estate find that condo, single-family, multi-family, lot of lands, or commercial property they desire to buy, or by effectively marketing his clients’ properties to sell their property for the most amount of money possible. His professional background embodies the ideal combination of construction, sales, negotiating, and contract drafting, which is essential to actualizing his clients’ goals and/or dreams. He does all of this with attention to detail, integrity, and success.

Since 1995, PCR Realty has helped buyers and sellers make their transactions as successful as possible. Using a consultative approach, PCR Realty approaches each experience as a unique opportunity for its clients. As a full-service real estate brokerage firm, PCR Realty provides leading-edge services for buyers & sellers.

When it comes to successfully navigating today’s complex real estate market, you need to work with someone who has the experience and commitment to see it done right. PCR Realty excels at matching buyers to sellers. From state-of-the-art marketing to an experienced broker, PCR Realty works diligently to far exceed your expectations. PCR Realty invites you to learn more.