Small flies in the potting soil are not a pretty sight. Even more so - the insects could attack the houseplants so badly that they die. To prevent this, quick action is required. How to get rid of fungus gnats quickly? The answer, surprisingly, can be found on TikTok. Because there are some tricks that hobby gardeners have shared there that work really well.
An apartment or a house full of plants is an absolute dream for many people. But it looks less dreamy when little fungus gnats suddenly fly out of the flower pots. The small insects can attack any plant. However, houseplants with moist soil are particularly susceptible. The moisture in the soil leads to the formation of mold, which provides food for the mosquito larvae. They are not harmful to humans, but they can attack the roots of plants and houseplants will die.
What helps against fungus gnats: lint roller
Lint rollers can prove to be particularly helpful around the house. You have to roll them over the plant leaves every day and the insects will stick to them. Be sure to replace the lint roller blades when treating a new plant. In this case, the most important thing is patience - the method works and does not harm the plant or the environment, but you really have to treat the plant leaves and stems with it every day, ideally even twice a day. And it can take up to two months before you actually collect all the small flies. This is because you can collect the larvae and flies, but unfortunately not the eggs. This hack also works quite well in combination with other home remedies.
Small flies in the potting soil, what to do? Cinnamon powder
There are numerous hobby gardeners who swear by the fungicidal properties of cinnamon powder. Sprinkle the top layer of potting soil with cinnamon powder to kill the larvae, insects and mold spores in the substrate. The fungus gnats that hatch next from the eggs will not find food and will also die as larvae.
Fruit midges, what to do? Cover the potting soil with sand
A thin layer of sand can reduce moisture in the potting soil while creating a barrier between fruit flies and the substrate. This method is ideal as a prevention if, for example, you have several houseplants and notice that one is infested. With a thin layer of sand you prevent thatFruit midge eggsalso place in the potting soil of the other plants and spread there.
Home remedies for fungus gnats: stick matches into the potting soil
Another variation that works well is to stick several matches upside down into the substrate. The matches contain phosphorus, magnesium and sulfur, which will penetrate deep into the soil through the irrigation water and can kill the fungus gnat larvae. At the same time, these substances promote the growth of plants and can strengthen them. Check every 10 days to see if the match heads have dissolved and change them if necessary.
Use hydrogen peroxide solution to combat small flies
Add a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide and add 200 ml of water to a clean and empty spray bottle. Then spray the plant leaves and potting soil with the solution. It will kill the larvae but is not harmful to the plant. Repeat the process every week until you get rid of the small fly.
Make a spray against small mosquitoes in the potting soil from orange peels
A new recipe against small flies can prove particularly helpful. Peel a large orange and grate the peel. Put them in a pot, pour over 4 squirts of liquid soap and 400 ml of water. Bring the liquid to a boil and then remove it from the heat. Let it cool overnight, then the next morning put it in a spray bottle and mist the plants. The spray can kill the larvae, but it will also kill oneprevent renewed infestation.
Some tips on what else you can do to prevent flies in the potting soil
- Allow the potting soil to dry before watering the plants again.
- Water the plants from below instead of from above. Do not mist or spray the houseplants with water.
- If the infestation is severe, repot the plants.
- Check the underside of leaves regularly for signs of infestation.
- Check new potting soil for fruit fly larvae.
- Overwinter the plants at a distance of at least half a meter from each other.
- Ventilate the winter quarters or room regularly.
- Keep the humidity below 50%.
- Multiple methodsUse it consecutively against flies and really be patient when fighting them.
