Fungus gnats: how to spot, prevent and treat them pest

How do you spot fungus gnats?

Small dark gnats run over the surface of the compost or fly just above it. The larvae, with a shiny black head, live in the compost. At first the plant only loses its healthy look.

How do you prevent fungus gnats?

The trouble is nearly always compost that is too wet and rich in peat: let the top layer dry out between waterings. A layer of sand or fine gravel on top of the pot takes the gnats' place for their eggs away.

What works against fungus gnats?

Products with Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis are watered into the compost and work on the larvae, not on the adult gnats.

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Which plants get fungus gnats? 7

Ornamentals 1

Houseplants 6