Fungas gnats, stones and indoor plants helllp!

[darlingsweetpea]

The dam things are back! I hate the little flies so much, my last batch were killed with spray and repotting all my houseplants but 4 months later they have returned.

I've got bio baby spray and yellow stickers but am thinking now about adding stones to the top layer of my pots to stop the bliters laying their eggs. I looked in the garden centre, and got confused. Do I just buy gravel or stones that you'd put outside for pathways etc or is there something a little more specific. Im not keen on dark shingle coloured stones, I prefer white.

Thanks!

I got rid of fungus gnats with a predator plant - a sundew. So satisfying to see them stuck on its sticky leaves and they're quite pretty when they flower.

You can also treat with nematodes:)

We used some fish-tank fine gravel to stop ours. Like this www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/pets-at-home-aquarium-gravel-natural-white-2kg-7144176p--1 if you have lots of pots you'll need more than you think.

Sundew and butterwort are the best things I've found. Very satisfying.

For gravel, any type should work if it's a good thick layer, and small enough that it doesn't leave gaps they can get through.

Another vote for sundew!

Thank you :)

I did think about a predator plant however I only have 7 plants, so they're spread around my house in different rooms.

I'll try some fish tank gravel and see how we go. I did look at nematodes but I'm bit attached to my plants that much!

Keep the top layer of the soil dry. It is watering from the top that does this.

Just put water in the bottom tray when they get dry and empty it out after 20 mins.

@AlisonDonut mine aren't in nursery pots or pots with holes so I can't do bottom watering. I've had some of the plants for years like this and never had any gnats.

There are stones in the bottom of all of my pots to help with drainage.

Stones in the bottom actually hinder rather than helping drainage.

If your pots don’t have drainage, that’s why you’ve got gnats!

@BinturongsSmellOfPopcorn my plan for future plants is to keep them in their nursery pots or decorative pots with a drainage hole.

I'm a bit stuck now as I don't have any nursery pots big enough, and the plants are doing well how they are, it's just the gnats I need to control before they take over. I've seen 2 flies on 3 of my plants so it's not critical yet but I'm looking at ways to stop the eggs being laid.

I have also changed the frequency I water them, as I may have over watered.