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Fungus gnats are small, dark, short-lived gnats, of the families Sciaridae, Diadocidiidae, Ditomyiidae, Keroplatidae, Bolitophilidae, and Mycetophilidae (order Diptera); they comprise six of the seven families placed in the superfamily Sciaroidea.
Fungus gnats are a fruit fly–sized insect pest that primarily affects indoor houseplants. Attracted to the moisture of potting soil, adult gnats lay their eggs (up to about 200) on organic matter near the soil surface. After about 3 days, the eggs hatch into larvae, which burrow into the soil to feed on fungi and decaying plant material.
Fungus gnats are tiny, black flies that are commonly seen around lamps and windows. They are annoying, but harmless and do not harm indoor plants. The larvae breed in moist soil, primarily in potted plants containing soil rich in organic matter.
Fungus gnat larvae target the roots of plants as a food source, which can limit growth and even cause plants to die if the infestation isn’t addressed. Early on, infected plants may stop growing. It may start to droop.
Fungus gnat females lay small, yellowish-white eggs on the surface of moist soil. The larvae that hatch are legless, with white or transparent bodies and shiny black heads. Fully grown, larvae measure approximately 1/4 inch in length. They live within soil and eventually develop into pupae.
Here’s what I did to get rid of fungus gnats in my houseplants—try one of my 11 tested-and-true remedies to eliminate them for good. What are fungus gnats, anyway? What causes fungus gnats? 1. Adjust the amount of water you use. 2. Cover any bare soil. 3. Use sticky fly traps around infested plants. 4.
Fungus gnat larvae usually are in the top 5-8 cm (2-3 inches) of the growing medium, depending on moisture level. They primarily feed on fungi, algae, and decaying plant matter. However, the larvae can feed on plant roots and leaves resting on the growing medium surface.
The larvae of fungus gnats are semi-transparent pale colored maggots, which are around six millimeters long. They have shiny black heads, and if you look closely enough, you may be able to see the dark shape of their guts holding food they have just eaten ( Royal Horticultural Society ).
Adult gnats live about one week and can lay up to two hundred eggs during their short lifetime in moist potted plant soils. Within four to six days, tiny larvae emerge and feed on plant roots during their two-week stage as larvae. Their pupal stage lasts only three to six days. Then young adults leave the soil and begin the next generation.
The first few weeks of a crop are most critical for fungus gnat control. Larvae prefer to feed on fungi rather than healthy plant tissue. Although fungus gnat larvae can eat plant material, they need fungi in their diet for optimal survival, development, and reproduction. Chewing by larvae can cause direct root damage, and