13 Ways to get rid of gnats without damaging your plant’s leaves

Dealing with pesky fungus gnats around your houseplants? These tiny, 1/8-inch flies are attracted to moist soil and can be a sign of overwatering. To tackle the issue, allow the soil to dry out before watering again, or use natural remedies like insecticidal soap, neem oil, or homemade peroxide spray. You can also create traps using sticky yellow cards or raw potato slices. By preventing overwatering and using these organic methods, you can effectively eliminate gnat invasions and ensure your indoor garden thrives.

Why are my indoor plants attracting gnats?

Gnats are tiny flying insects that are commonly found hovering around houseplants. There are a few reasons why gnats may be attracted to your indoor plant

• Overwatering – Gnats lay their eggs in moist soil, so too much watering can create the perfect breeding ground.
• Poor drainage – Dense, soggy soil that doesn’t drain well provides an ideal environment for gnats.
• Decaying organic matter – Gnats are drawn to decaying leaves, roots and other debris in the soil. This often happens when old potting mix breaks down.
• Lack of air circulation – Stagnant air around indoor plants allows gnats to thrive undisturbed.
• Nearby food sources – Gnats may fly in from compost piles or overripe fruit you have sitting out.

By identifying and correcting these conditions, you can make your plants less inviting to gnats looking for a place to spawn.

How to identify gnats in indoor plants

Here are some tips for recognizing gnat infestations in your houseplant.

• Look for small dark insects flying erratically around your plants, especially right above the surface of the soil.
• Use yellow sticky traps – gnats will stick to them, confirming their presence.
• Check for larvae in the top layer of soil. They look like tiny white worms wriggling around the roots.
• Allow the soil surface to fully dry out and then water again – this will bring gnats to the surface.
• Look for signs of decaying organic matter like soggy leaves or algae growth on the soil.
• Notice if plant leaves are turning yellow, wilting or dropping – this can indicate damaged roots from gnat larvae.

Catching an infestation early makes gnats much easier to get rid of before they multiply and damage your plants.

How to Get Rid of Gnats on Houseplants

There are many effective methods for eliminating gnats that won’t harm your plants. Here are some gnat-control tricks to try:

Sticky fly traps are the best gnatcatcher

Yellow sticky cards or strips placed in the pots of infected plants will attract adult gnats looking for a place to land and lay eggs. Traps near the soil surface will catch the most flies. Just be sure to keep the sticky traps away from leaves so they don’t get stuck.

Smother your plant’s soil

Spreading a thin layer of sand or fine gravel over the soil blocks gnats from reaching the surface to lay eggs. Small rocks also prevent soil from splashing up and releasing gnats when watering. Just leave a circle uncovered around each stem

Use the power of spuds

Placing raw potato slices on the soil and replacing them every few days kills gnats. As the slices start decomposing, they release solanine, a compound that is toxic to larvae and adults. Potatoes won’t harm your plants but keep them away from leaves.

Spray vinegar on your plants

A mix of equal parts white vinegar and water sprayed on the soil surface kills eggs and larvae on contact. The acetic acid in vinegar is harmless to plants when diluted but toxic to gnats. Reapply every few days until gnats are gone.

Use hydrogen peroxide

Mixing 3% household hydrogen peroxide with water to water infected plants kills larvae and dissolves gnat eggs. It provides oxygen to plant roots while eliminating grimy layers where gnats breed. Don’t use more than a 1:4 ratio of peroxide to avoid harming your plants

Lure Them to Sticky Cards

Place yellow sticky traps just above the soil to attract adult gnats looking for a place to land and lay eggs. The traps catch them before they can reproduce again. Just keep sticky cards away from leaves.

Food-Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Sprinkling diatomaceous earth on the soil dries out and cuts the exoskeleton of gnat larvae. The powdery fossilized remains of algae shreds the insects but is gentle for plant roots and leaves.

Drench the Soil

Water your plants with an insecticidal soap or neem oil drench to kill larvae in the soil. Make sure to fully saturate the dirt to eliminate all stages of the gnats’ life cycle. Let the soil dry out between treatments.

Let Plants Dry Out Slightly

Allow the soil surface to dry before watering again to disrupt the gnats’ breeding environment. The drying will kill eggs and larvae in the top layers of soil. Just don’t let plants get too stressed

Soap and vinegar

Mix a few drops of dish soap with an equal amount of vinegar in water. Spray this solution directly onto places where you see gnats gathered to break down their outer shells. It’s safe for plants in moderation.

Hydrogen peroxide

Watering with a diluted hydrogen peroxide solution introduces extra oxygen into the soil, creating an environment that gnat larvae cannot survive in. Use a 1:4 ratio of peroxide to water.

Coating the soil with sand

Cover the top layer of soil with a fine layer of sand. This blocks gnats from being able to lay their eggs in the soil and interrupts their life cycle. Just leave the area around the base of the plant uncovered.

Repotting your plant

Repotting plants in fresh, sterile potting mix eliminates gnat eggs and larvae hiding in old soil. When repotting, examine roots and prune off any that are damaged. This gives your plant a fresh start

Gnats can be pesky but with consistent prevention and early intervention, you can eliminate invasions and keep your houseplants thriving. Start by inspecting plants regularly and addressing excess moisture that attracts gnats. Apply natural remedies like vinegar, peroxide and diatomaceous earth to kill larvae and disrupt breeding.

Keep plants healthy with proper light, water and drainage to avoid conditions gnats look for. With a multi-step approach, you can kick gnats (and other common indoor garden pests) out of your indoor garden for good.

Happy gardening!