Within 4 to 6 days, the eggs will hatch and begin feeding. For 14 days, the larvae will feed on any organic matter on or in the soil. They primarily focus on eating the soil’s organic matter, but in the case of severe infestation, they will also begin feed on the finer root hairs of a plant, the plant’s roots, and possibly the crown, stem and any leaves of the plant that are located near the surface of the soil. Larvae are usually located in the top 2-3 inches of soil, but we have observed larvae as deep as 6 inches in potted soil as well as around a pot’s drainage holes.

There are no-end of folk remedies floating around online forums, but with so many different purported solutions, it is hard to know which is the best one to use. It has been found that 4 tablespoons of Mosquito Bits per half a gallon of water work great in control of fungus gnats. I’ve only used 1 tablespoon per gallon of water and still had excellent results. But you can safely increase the amount of Mosquito Bits if you want. RELATED: Solved! What Your Plant’s Yellow Leaves Mean and How to Fix Them STEP 1: Make a homemade gnat trap. If you live in a temperate or tropical area, you’ve most likely seen insect pests called fungus gnats before. They’re small flies that infest soil potting soil, any container media, and other organically decomposed sources and materials. Fungus gnat larvae feed on fungi and plant roots in soil and organic matter. They’re a problem in commercial greenhouses, houseplants indoors, and potted plants. Adult fungus gnats tend to emerge from indoor plants when warmer temperatures occur in spring and summer. I’ve personally dealt with the indoor version of fungus gnats, commonly known as fruit flies. Mosquito Bits® is a highly selective microbial insecticide (BTI) effective against mosquitoes in a variety of habitats. Kills the larvae of mosquitoes that transmit West Nile Virus, Zika Virus, Chikungunya, Encephalitis, Malaria, and Dengue Fever. Spread over the surface of water to release the biological mosquito larvicide. This larvicide gradually settles in the water where it is eaten by mosquito larvae growing there.

Plant Isolation Or Encapsulation

Morris, Lulu. "HAVE YOU SEEN THE DAZZLING GLOWING WORMS OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND?". nationalgeographic.com.au. nationalgeographic.com.au . Retrieved 31 July 2018.

Adults lay eggs in the top inch or so of soil and the larvae feed on fungus and decaying matter within the soil Important! Let the topsoil dry out between waterings. Fungus gnats usually result from over-watering. Some growers will start with cannabis seeds (as opposed to clones) to reduce the chance they ever have to deal with spider mites or fungus gnats! The larvae of most species feed on fungi growing on soil, helping in the decomposition of organic matter. However some species are predatory, including those in the genus Arachnocampa of family Keroplatidae – the "glowworms" of Australia and New Zealand. [1]By allowing the top portion of your potting mix to dry out, you’re making it less hospitable for fungus gnat eggs and larvae, and this will result in less gnats that will reach adulthood and pester you and your plants! CAPTURE ADULT FUNGUS GNATS WITH TRAPS Yes, disposing of the top 2-inch layer of potting soil is an important aspect of getting rid of fungus gnats. Replace that soil with new, sterile potting mix suited to the particular plant, and consider topping it with a half-inch of sand or diatomaceous earth to make the plant less hospitable to the bugs.. Final Thoughts Like I mentioned earlier, 70-75F (about 21-24C) is optimal for fungus gnat development. You may not have too much control over this factor, but it is worth noting. MEDIA TYPE