Knowledgebase

Fungus gnats in potted herbs #944944

Asked September 13, 2026, 11:32 AM EDT

It's almost time to bring potted herbs in and I'd like to prevent an onslaught of fungus gnats like we had last year. What can I do?

Mille Lacs County Minnesota

Expert Response

Thanks for the question. Yes, fungus gnats are a difficult pest to deal with. Be certain that the soil is dry before bringing indoors. Fungus gnats are sometimes confused with fruit flies, they are not the same. Fungus gnats live in moist soil, avoid overwatering, and only water plants when necessary. If you have fungus gnats, don’t worry, they generally do not harm plants. Add yellow sticky traps to the plant container to catch the adults.  Here is link to our information on moving plants outdoors, including dealing with fungus gnats:https://extension.umn.edu/about/our-stories/news/moving-houseplants-outdoors

Here is link to more information on other houseplant pests: https://extension.umn.edu/garden-and-home/yard-and-garden/yard-and-garden-insects/insects-on-indoor-plants#fungus-gnats-1581117

Paul -Master Gardener volunteer

An Ask Extension Expert Replied September 13, 2026, 11:58 AM EDT

Loading ...