Fungus Gnats – a Common Problem of Overwatered Houseplants

— Written By and last updated by Nancie Mandeville
en Español / em Português
Español

El inglés es el idioma de control de esta página. En la medida en que haya algún conflicto entre la traducción al inglés y la traducción, el inglés prevalece.

Al hacer clic en el enlace de traducción se activa un servicio de traducción gratuito para convertir la página al español. Al igual que con cualquier traducción por Internet, la conversión no es sensible al contexto y puede que no traduzca el texto en su significado original. NC State Extension no garantiza la exactitud del texto traducido. Por favor, tenga en cuenta que algunas aplicaciones y/o servicios pueden no funcionar como se espera cuando se traducen.


Português

Inglês é o idioma de controle desta página. Na medida que haja algum conflito entre o texto original em Inglês e a tradução, o Inglês prevalece.

Ao clicar no link de tradução, um serviço gratuito de tradução será ativado para converter a página para o Português. Como em qualquer tradução pela internet, a conversão não é sensivel ao contexto e pode não ocorrer a tradução para o significado orginal. O serviço de Extensão da Carolina do Norte (NC State Extension) não garante a exatidão do texto traduzido. Por favor, observe que algumas funções ou serviços podem não funcionar como esperado após a tradução.


English

English is the controlling language of this page. To the extent there is any conflict between the English text and the translation, English controls.

Clicking on the translation link activates a free translation service to convert the page to Spanish. As with any Internet translation, the conversion is not context-sensitive and may not translate the text to its original meaning. NC State Extension does not guarantee the accuracy of the translated text. Please note that some applications and/or services may not function as expected when translated.

Collapse ▲
Fungus Gnat

Adult fungus gnats are delicate, gray, dark gray, or black fly-like insects about 1/8” long that resemble fruit flies. They are often seen running over the soil surface of houseplants, especially ones that are over-watered. Adult fungus gnats do not damage plants but are objectionable and a nuisance. In heavy infestations, they can be very annoying by flying around your home or office and into your face. I had a colleague who had plants in his office and we would have a routine infestation of these pests because he always kept his plants too wet. Everyone in the office had these little boogers flying in their face!

Female fungus gnats lay up to 300 eggs on the soil surface which hatch in five to six days. The immature fungus gnat lives in the soil and is a white, translucent larva with a shiny black head. The larvae feed on any organic matter and can attain a length of about ¼”. Three to four weeks are necessary to complete the life cycle. Soils containing large quantities of decaying vegetative and those high in organic matter are most likely to host fungus gnat larvae.

Fungus gnat larvae can damage root systems of infested plants by burrowing in the soil and feeding on the roots and sometimes the crowns of plants. Seedlings, rooted cuttings, and young plants can be severely damaged or killed by fungus gnat larvae feeding on root hairs or roots. Fungus gnat larvae infestations on older established plants are characterized by little new growth and foliage that appears to be off color (dull or less vibrant than expected). A severely infested plant may also drop foliage.

Control and prevention of fungus gnats come in several forms. For infested plants, allow the soil to thoroughly dry between waterings. This will kill the larvae through desiccation. If the plant is of a type that cannot be allowed to dry out, immerse the pot in water and allow it to stand for an hour or so. This should drown the fungus gnat larvae. If this doesn’t work, drench the soil with a pesticide labeled for use on houseplants and for control of fungus gnats. Be careful to properly measure and apply these pesticides according to directions for use in a house and take care to provide adequate ventilation.

The best way to prevent new or future infestations of fungus gnats is to follow proper watering practices. Houseplants in the winter normally do not require as much water as at other times of the year. Whenever possible, allow soil surfaces to dry completely between watering. A wet environment is an open invitation to fungus gnats as well as a host of other problems such as root rot and stem rot. Don’t just water on a set schedule. Use the “finger method” to determine if you need to water – for an 8” pot, insert your index finger to the first knuckle. If moist, no need to water, if dry, water is needed.