Fungus gnats are small flies capable of wreaking havoc in houseplants located in moist environments.
There are various safe and eco-friendly methods to remove gnats from soil without harming plants. One quick way is spraying the areas where fungus gnats tend to settle for quick relief.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an easy and straightforward solution for eliminating fungus gnats in soil, making it safe for use around plants, pets, people and the environment without damaging anything further. Furthermore, its effectiveness lies in killing larval stage gnats as well.
Use a spray bottle to quickly apply this treatment to your soil. Simply combine 3% hydrogen peroxide and water together and shake to mix before spraying onto any plants that have become infested with gnats.
Spraying soil will cause it to fizz on contact and kill fungus gnat larvae as well as prevent them from laying eggs in the future – the solution will destroy any spores from the fungi as soon as they land in it, providing immediate control.
Another advantage of natural fungus gnat killers like hydrogen peroxide is that it’s very cost-effective. You can purchase small bottles at most grocery or drug stores as well as garden supply stores and online.
Fungus gnats feed on plant roots, leaves and the soil to cause major disruptions to your home and garden by spreading disease, withering houseplants that die off, eating the fruit of your plants as food and eating your houseplants’ fruit! They may even infiltrate potting sheds and greenhouses where they spread diseases that will make your plants wilt before eventually killing off altogether.
Gnats can be an annoying and costly problem to eliminate, so keeping a spray bottle of hydrogen peroxide on hand at all times to treat any infestations will likely save time and money in the long run.
Hydrogen peroxide can not only kill fungus gnats effectively, but it is also an invaluable disinfectant in both your kitchen and bathroom environments. Simply spray on hard surfaces like countertops and cutting boards to help avoid infections from spreading further.
Plastic, ceramic and terra cotta flowerpots can all be disinfected using this solution, but beware: Fungus gnats may transfer harmful bacteria directly onto them!
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a common health remedy used to kill gnats in soil. This substance is created by fermenting crushed apples with yeast and bacteria to produce alcohol that then breaks down into acetic acid – this sour taste gives vinegar its unique health benefits, according to Dr. Robert Banini of United Kingdom’s medical community.
Apple cider vinegar has become an indispensable component in detox drinks and homemade antifungal sprays, in addition to being widely used as hair rinse and facial toner. Some individuals even take apple cider vinegar daily in order to help improve digestion and decrease cholesterol levels.
Vinegar can also be an effective means of eliminating fungus gnats, which are serious pests that feed off plant roots and spread disease to nearby plants. Mixing one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with water and spraying this solution on affected areas will help kill gnats by disrupting their ability to survive in soil environments.
Also, spraying 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 6 parts water onto soil will kill off gnat larvae before they hatch. Hydrogen peroxide is harmless to plants but will quickly react with oxygen and turn back into oxygen and water after just a short reaction period.
If apple cider vinegar is unavailable, fresh potatoes can also be placed into the soil to trap fungus gnat larvae until they’re ready to die off. Place flesh side down potatoes into the soil for at least a few days before replacing them.
An effective gnat-trapping strategy involves placing a jar of almost-vinegared wine at room temperature in an effort to draw in insects, as this causes them to land on its surface and drown when exposed to dish soap dissolved in it.
Gnats can be difficult to control when they begin laying eggs, so the most effective strategy for dealing with them is killing them before they lay their egg sacs. When selecting an insecticide product to use on them, keep in mind that adult gnats have the capacity of producing up to 200 eggs in one single burst of activity.
Diatomaceous earth
Diatomaceous earth is one of the most effective solutions for eliminating gnats in soil. Made from fossilized algae found in water bodies around the world, diatomaceous earth contains dead single-celled diatoms high in silica that have been dried out and buried eventually creating soft sedimentary rocks which can be used in various ways.
This earth is an ecological and safe pesticide often used in agriculture to defend crops against insect pests, as well as cleaning and sanitation, including deodorizing garbage cans.
Purchase it in any local home and garden store or online. Use it in a spray, spread on plants and lawn, or sprinkle directly onto infestation sites for optimal results.
Diatomaceous earth is not only effective at killing gnats but can also prevent new ones from emerging by physically shredding insects like they were crawling through crushed glass.
Spraying it onto the inside of compost bins to kill fungus gnats that enter food sources can also protect them against harm from these creatures.
Appropriate tools for applying diatomaceous earth can make its use even more efficient, such as using a duster with a nozzle to spread dust across an entire area evenly.
When applying dust to insects, try not to put it directly onto their nests as this could irritate both their eyes and lungs; you might want to blow some on before applying it directly onto them.
Diatomaceous earth can also be mixed with water in a spray bottle for easier application on larger surface areas like shrubs or trees, like shrubbery. You can apply the mixture in broad, even strokes to ensure you reach even pest-prone spots with your spray application.
Diatomaceous earth is an eco-friendly alternative to insecticides that may pose risks to both children and pets if inhaled directly or eaten directly. When purchasing diatomaceous earth products, always read and follow all instructions provided on the labels carefully.
Liquid dish soap and white vinegar
Gnats are an annoying pest that can damage plants and make an unsightly mess, while spreading diseases to other plants. Luckily, there are some effective home remedies using vinegar and dish soap that can effectively rid yourself of this nuisance pest.
One of the easiest and most effective ways to eliminate gnats in soil is using a mixture of liquid dish soap and white vinegar as an all-purpose cleaner to remove grime and grease from surfaces.
Solution is safe to use on most surfaces and will cut through grease quickly, leaving counters and surfaces clean and shiny. Simply combine equal parts cleaning vinegar and dish soap in a spray bottle and shake well before lightly spraying any dirty areas with solution; rinse after several seconds thoroughly with water.
Trapping Gnats in Soil If another method of killing gnats in soil fails, another effective approach to do it would be trapping them in glass or plastic containers with vinegar smell, such as bottles or small dishes can work well to catch these bugs and eliminate them quickly and permanently. Placing these containers near areas where Gnats have been discovered will attract them by their smell to be trapped by vinegar scent and will eventually attract bugs that become attracted to its scent and fall into your traps.
A jar filled with rotting fruit makes an effective gnat trap, covered by plastic wrap with holes poked through to allow gnats in but prevent them from leaving again.
Make an effective trap with an old soda bottle cut in half and filled with a mixture of water, apple cider vinegar and sugar. Gnats will be drawn to its sugary scent and become trapped inside an inverted bottle where they will tire themselves out before eventually drowning in its contents below.
For an effective way to kill gnats in soil, combine white vinegar and diluted bleach and pour down drains or treat flower beds – these solutions can quickly eliminate gnats quickly.