How do I kill house plant gnats and larvae?
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18 answers
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Air flow around the plants helps, maybe a fan blowing around on a slow speed on your less delicate plants. Keep your bottom saucers dried out and wash them on a regular schedule. Re-pot with fresh soil if the plants are aging and the soil is old. Spritz with a soap mixture on your less sensitive plant (1 tbs to one gallon water Joy)
![360 Sod (Donna Dixson)]()
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Sep 29, 2011
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I keep my plants outside in summer - I noticed the gnats when I was beginning to aclimate them to the indoors. The rain and humidity is probably what encouraged the little buggers. Even though I just potted one up I think I'll repot with fresh soil and root prune as suggested.
![Donna McCrummen]()
Donna McCrummen
on Sep 29, 2011
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Consider sprinkling a 1/4" layer of sand on the soil to break the fungus gnat life cycle
![Walter Reeves]()
Walter Reeves
on Sep 29, 2011
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I'm trying this with sand and air flow http://www.freeplants.com/fungus-gnats.htm
![Donna McCrummen]()
Donna McCrummen
on Sep 29, 2011
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A little sevin dust around the base might do the trick! Let us know..JL
![JL Spring & Associates]()
JL Spring & Associates
on Sep 29, 2011
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Great information Donna M thanks for sharing!
![360 Sod (Donna Dixson)]()
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Sep 29, 2011
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@Belle - Thank you. His name is Eno - he's 4.5 months old and weighs 4.5 lbs. He is adored around here.
![Donna McCrummen]()
Donna McCrummen
on Sep 30, 2011
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I sure will Belle. With all the rain and humidity the little buggers are everywhere.
![Donna McCrummen]()
Donna McCrummen
on Sep 30, 2011
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mine are all threw the house don't know where they are comming from i've tried the vinegar in a bowl with plastic with holes in it caught some but still have millions more
![Patricia B]()
Patricia B
on Mar 27, 2012
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this worked for me (or seems to have). http://www.freeplants.com/fungus-gnats.htm
![Donna McCrummen]()
Donna McCrummen
on Mar 27, 2012
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I don't know what kind of gnats I have but they are in every room of the house. This is the first time I've ever had gnats in my house, so I don't know what is causing them or where they are commimg from. I'm willing to try anything to get rid of them. So any ideas anyone has will be tried. Thanks
![Patricia B]()
Patricia B
on Mar 28, 2012
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Do you have house plants? I have plants in two rooms and the infestation had the little creatures flying everywhere. So Annoying! If so, try the method I shared above. Also, I'm not an expert but try putting vinegar or bleach down your drains. Is there old fruit or something somewhere? I have little ones in the house and I never know where I'm going to find an old apple core, etc. Try adding a drop of dish soap to the vinegar. Try leaving small bowls with some cheap wine laying around (watch the cat). Good Luck.
![Donna McCrummen]()
Donna McCrummen
on Mar 29, 2012
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yes I have house plants in two rooms also but I checked and could find nothing there. I have looked to see if anything was laying around but couldn't find anything (no little ones home anymore) i've tried the vinegar' but will also try your other ideas. I'm at the point I will try anything. Don't really want to call an exterminator.
![Patricia B]()
Patricia B
on Mar 29, 2012
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Did you move the soil around on the plants and watch for the little creatures? Try the yellow sticky traps. They will catch the adults but won't help with larvae.
![Donna McCrummen]()
Donna McCrummen
on Mar 29, 2012
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yes I checked the soil, nothing there but still going to repot them next week any way just to be safe. might have found the problem tho got a pipe in the yard that has a hole in it that drains the sinks, bathtub and washer. they might be comming up the pipe and into the drains so going to fix that this weekend if it don't rain. thin i will see if thats the problem.
![Patricia B]()
Patricia B
on Mar 30, 2012
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Ekkk, drain gnats! I've heard they are hard to get rid of. What are you do? Bleach?
![Donna McCrummen]()
Donna McCrummen
on Mar 31, 2012
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I've tried everything everybody has suggested but so far nothing has worked.Still up for more suggestions, at this point will try anything.
![Patricia B]()
Patricia B
on Apr 01, 2012
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Yikes, they are so annoying. I tried everything too. Finally the peroxide treatment for the plants worked.
![Donna McCrummen]()
Donna McCrummen
on Apr 01, 2012
Walter Reeves
on Sep 29, 2011
JL Spring & Associates
on Sep 29, 2011
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