The DIY Trick for Getting Rid of Gnats
The simple solution to your fungus gnat problem is almost as old as Earth itself: sand. Spreading a thin layer of sand on top of your potted plant is called top layering, and it’s a great way to kill gnats naturally.
The best part? It’s as easy as it sounds. All you have to do is sprinkle enough sand to fully cover the soil, then wait. Mosser Lee Desert Sand is a great soil cover for most plants, and coarse silica sand suits bonsai and cactus. Those plants rarely attract gnats because of their less-frequent watering needs, but the sand still makes a good ground cover.
Why Does It Work?
The only way to truly eliminate fungus gnats is to destroy their larvae. Top-layering with sand prevents adult gnats from burrowing into the soil to lay eggs. It also suffocates any larvae that mature underground, preventing them from procreating and repeating the cycle.
Adult gnats are not harmful to anything or anyone, including the plants they pester. But they do lay eggs, and when those little ones hatch, they feast on the roots, the essential system that helps foliage function. Roots help plants absorb both water and essential minerals. They also hold plants in place and store reserves of sugar that slowly release to keep plants fed. Once a plant’s roots are compromised, it’s only a matter of time before it dies.
Other Tips To Try
If top-layering isn’t for you, or if you spot only a few gnats, you may be able to get in front of an infestation by incorporating good plant practices. Start with bottom watering. Simply fill a pan with water, then place your plant in the pan, allowing it to soak up water through the drainage hole at the bottom. You can also purchase traps, like Fungus Gnat Sticky Traps by Kikalife. Adult gnats stick to the traps and die, preventing the spread of more gnat eggs.
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