A home full of beautiful houseplants is wonderful until a fly infestation occurs. Luckily, however, there are ways to get rid of these annoying and unwanted guests. Here are some home remedies for flies in potting soil that will serve you well!
Fungus gnats are very small, black flies that you have seen around your houseplants. They can attack all types of plants. However, they are particularly attracted to those planted in pots because they lay their eggs in the moist soil so that the hatched larvae can feed on the fungi in the potting soil. They are not harmful to humans, but can damage the roots of young plants, so it is best to control the infestation. Find out here which home remedies are very effective against flies in the potting soil!
Cinnamon acts as a natural fungicide, effectively killing the fungal spores in the potting soil that fungus gnats feed on. This makes the earth uninhabitable for fungus gnats. Using this method is extremely simple. All you need to do is sprinkle cinnamon into the top layer of potting soil in the pot. This simple remedy kills both the adult flies and the larvae.
Cover the soil with sand
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In addition to moisture, fungus gnats are attracted to decaying materials in plant soil, such as peat moss and compost. However, if you cover the soil of potted plants with sand, you dry out the soil and create a barrier between the flies and the houseplant soil. In this way, the environment becomes unattractive to the flies and the likelihood of fly infestation is significantly reduced. We also advise you to avoid waterlogging and to remember to always only use soil that is specifically suitable for houseplants.
Make traps out of sugar and soap
Like most insects, fungus gnats love sugar. That's why an effective home remedy for flies in potting soil is to make a simple, homemade trap for which you only need water, sugar and soap. And this is how it works:
Fill a small container with water and add a tablespoon of sugar and a few drops of soap. The sugar acts as bait for the flies and the soap changes the surface of the water so that the fungus gnats drown when they try to land on it. Placing these traps near infested houseplants will help reduce the spread without resorting to chemical solutions. This is a safe and environmentally friendly approach to pest control.
Another variation of this method is to simply place a cup filled with fruit juice next to each infected plant and replace it every day. Since the fruit juices are filled with sugar, which attracts fungus gnats, you will soon notice that their numbers in the potting soil have decreased significantly.
Fight flies in potting soil with neem oil
Neem oil is a natural insecticide extracted from the neem tree. Dilute the neem oil according to the manufacturer's instructions and apply it to the potting soil. The oil will suffocate the larvae and interrupt the fungus gnats' life cycle.
Put matches in the pot
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Sticking matches into potting soil is a quick and easy way to get rid of fungus gnats from your young plants. All you need to do is stick a few matches into the soil, heads down, about 2 inches from the edge of the pot. The heads of the matches dissolve and gradually release phosphorus, magnesium and sulfur into the earth. This helps control the fungus gnats and allows the plants to grow. As soon as the match heads dissolve, replace them to protect your plant.
How to Prevent Fungus Gnats in Houseplants
Avoid overwatering: Allow the potting soil to dry out between regular waterings - not so much that your plant starts to wilt, but enough that it isn't constantly soggy. The eggs and larvae usually die in dry soil.
Choose a pot with good drainage: A pot with good drainage will prevent fungus gnats from laying their eggs in the soil and will also protect your houseplant from common problems like root rot. Remember to drain any excess water that has accumulated in coasters.
Other effective home remedies for fungus gnats in potting soilcan be found here!
