There is nothing worse than working in an indoor garden full of fungus gnats . These tiny , mosquito-like creatures can be seen running across the soil surface and flying erratically around your plants . Once they infest your garden , they seem to show up everywhere from your kitchen counter to your windowsills . And , of course , they ’ ll fly all around you and give you the creepy crawlies . Outdoors , there is enough room to roam that they don ’ t tend to be an issue . However , they love to feast on the plants in your growrooms and greenhouses . They tend to be more annoying than harmful , but large infestations can damage your plants . Luckily , once you understand them , they are relatively easy to prevent and control .
What are Fungus Gnats ?
Fungus gnats are small flies that tend to develop in the growing mediums of indoor plants . Adults are about
1
/ 16 to 1 / 8 of an inch long with long legs and antennae . Larvae look like small translucent worms with black heads . Eggs are tiny , smooth , oval , and a transparent white in color . They are weak fliers and tend to stay in one location , however , if a large group of fungus gnats decide to move spots , they will synchronize their flight pattern and resemble a snake as they travel . Fungus gnats have about a three- to four-week lifecycle , depending on the temperature and other environmental factors . They develop through four stages : egg , larvae , pupa , and adult . Throughout their lives , female adults lay about 100-300 eggs in damp , organic media where the larvae will be able to feed on fungi , algae , organic matter , and plant roots . The larvae are usually located in the top two to three inches of soil and are fully grown in two to three weeks . Then they spend about a week in their pupal stage before emerging as adults that live for another seven to 10 days . Fungus gnats are generally harmless in small numbers , but a larger infestation can damage your plants , especially seedlings and younger plants . When fungus gnat larvae feed on plant roots , you ’ ll notice yellowing or wilted leaves and poor , stunted growth . They also spread plant pathogens which can lead to other diseases . Although it is possible , you will rarely see serious damage from fungus gnats outdoors . It is most common in greenhouses , nurseries , sod farms , and indoor environments .
How to Prevent Fungus Gnats
In order to control these pests , it is necessary to understand what causes infestations . The most common culprit is overwatering . Fungus gnats thrive in moist environments . Their larvae feed on fungus to survive , which requires moist conditions . It ’ s important to let soil , especially in indoor plants , dry out between waterings . Along the same lines , don ’ t allow water to sit in the saucers underneath the pots . If your plants are in large pots , you can use a shop vac to remove the water . By allowing the medium to dry out , you significantly decrease the survival rate of eggs and larvae . This also deters adults from laying eggs in your medium in the first place . If you already have an infestation , this won ’ t be a quick fix , but you ’ ll see the fungus gnat population decrease over time . If you want to speed up the process , you can repot your plant into new soil and be sure not to overwater it . However , this may also stress your plants and isn ’ t always recommended . The solution shouldn ’ t cause more damage than the problem . Also be aware that as growing mediums age , they tend to retain more water which can affect the length of time they need to dry out . If your root systems are also growing substantially , this may not be an issue since your plants will be taking up more water .
Maximum Yield 71