A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2003 Gnats in houseplant soil

I have a problem with little gnats flying out of my houseplant soil. I have tried drying the soil out inbetween waterings, spraying lightly with Raid(which doesn't kill the larvae)and nothing seems to work. Even took some pots outside and the gnats are even worse. Is there anything I can do without killing all my plants and what are they? Help!!!!

I had the same problem. The gnats get into wet soil and breed there. For existing gnats, you can use a spray. I used a spray by Safer. However, this will not kill the breeding gnats in the soil. For that problem, there are many different brands of "Systemic Insect Granules". You simply water the soil and mix the granules into the top 1" layer of soil. You may need to reapply. Also, I found that the gnats seemed to breed more easily in plastic pots. AFter I transfered my plants to regular clay, the problem remedied itself more quickly. Both products are available at Home Depot or Lowes or any hardware store..

Oh My those flyin little black bugs are a mess. A naturaly way to stem their population is by buying a small gravel and layering a 1/4 inch on top of your soil in your potted plants. The Gnats wont lay their eggs in the gravel, (i've found some aquarium gravel works nice). It takes a while for the existing population and hatching larvae to diminish, but is is much nicer than the chemical alternatives.

Stephanie and Connie Marie thank you soooo much for the replies. I took your advise and purchased Diazinon granules and mixed/watered that in the top inch of soil. I have now done a second treatment. I may do one more treatment in a couple weeks and then cover with the fish gravel. Thank you so much for the tips. It really does work!!!!!!! Thanks again, Karen

I think that cinnamon is hated by them. Try and sprinkle a little on the soil and not on the leaves.

weed Woman thank you for the suggestion. Have to give that a try the next time. Sure would smell good! Thanks again, catlover Karen

Sure thing catlover