Fungal gnats - Ask Extension
I have had a peace lily for about 2 years which is doing very well. This year we have seen a large number of fungal gnats on the windowsill (and once...
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Fungal gnats #876488
Asked July 09, 2024, 11:26 AM EDT
I have had a peace lily for about 2 years which is doing very well. This year we have seen a large number of fungal gnats on the windowsill (and once on the floor) near the peace lily. I also have a succulent on the same windowsill. Orkin came and spayed the bottom of the windows as well as the drains in the bathroom sinks where we first noticed the gnats. However, he also told me that fungal gnats sometimes live in plants such as my peace lily. A friend told me there is a product I can buy which when stuck in the plant dirt will cause the gnats to stick to it thereby letting me know if the plant is indeed breeding them. Do you know of such a product and where I can buy it? Also is there anything I can buy which I can spray into the pot around the plant which will kill the gnats but not the plant and is safe to use? I do not want to get rid of the plant! Thank you.
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
Hi,
You can refer to our Fungus Gnats page for management tips. The yellow sticky traps are probably available at most home improvement type stores or even grocery stores. We don't have a specific brand that we can recommend.
The link provided will give you some management strategies. You can also look for soil drenches for indoor house plants that will help kill the larvae of the fungus gnats but if you also let the soil dry out a bit between waterings that should help clear them up.
Let us know if you have further questions.
Emily