How to Naturally Get Rid of Gnats on House Plants

Use safe, natural remedies to get rid of fungus gnats.

Fungus gnats, tiny black or gray pests with transparent wings, mature in houseplant soil. The miniature larvae, nearly see-through worms with black heads, feed on plant roots, decaying leaves and fungus in the soil. Mature fungus gnats don't bite or feed on houseplants and they can be controlled, according to the Colorado State University Extension website. Fungus gnats provide a nuisance in the home and they create more fungus gnats. Use natural means to reduce and eventually eliminate fungus gnats from houseplants without adding toxic chemicals to your home and the environment.

Things You'll Need

• Bacillus thuringiensis (Bti) microbial insecticide from nursery suppliers
• Yellow sticky cards, also called glue cards

Instructions

1. Remove dead leaves from the indoor plant's soil to reduce moisture and fungus.

2. Allow the top 1 to 2 inches of the houseplant soil to dry out between waterings to decrease the fungus that gnat larvae live on.

3. Place yellow sticky cards around the houseplants, such as stuck into the edges of the pots, to trap adult gnats. This prevents the female gnats from laying more eggs.

4. Apply an insecticide based on the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis to the houseplant's soil. Drench the soil with this organic insecticide. According to the New Mexico State University website, this is an organic treatment safe to use around children and pets.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to use pyrethrin, the organic chrysanthemum-based pesticide, apply it every two days.

• Keep all pest control products out of the reach of children, even natural and organic ones.

References

• Colorado State University Extension: Fungus Gnats as Houseplant and Indoor Pests
• New Mexico State University: Gnats