The gnats will be attracted to the smell of the mixture and get stuck in the cup. They’ll die after a few hours or so. If you have a lot of fungus gnats in your soil, plan to dump out and replace this trap every day or so.
Keep using your potato chunks until there are no more larvae or eggs on the potatoes.
Researchers have found that Bounce original fabric softener sheets work best for repelling fungus gnats. However, any fabric softener with linalool will do the trick.
Sticky traps kill adult fungus gnats, but they won’t kill the larvae or the eggs in the soil.
Neem oil is not toxic, so it’s safe to use around children and pets.
Wear a mask when you’re mixing the diatomaceous earth in with your soil, if possible, so you’re not breathing it in. Diatomaceous earth is a natural type of ground-up rock that is great for pest control.
The instructions will tell you how often to use the insecticide and how much you should spray on your plant. Typically, you’ll use the insecticide once a day for 1 week.
Ask the professional who sells you the nematodes, mites, or beetles any questions you might have so you feel prepared to use them.
To quickly dry out your soil, point a fan at your plants. Try watering your plants from the bottom up. Fill up a bowl or a sink with water, then dip the bottom of your plant into it. After a few minutes, take your plant out of the water and let it drain.
Pots with drainage holes also help prevent root rot, which can kill plants over time.
Wait a few minutes after you water the plant before emptying the saucer so the soil has time to drain.
Check your houseplants each day to pick up any dead plant material. Consider composting the dead plant material or throwing it in the trash if composting isn’t possible.
If your plant is infested with bugs, it’s best to not bring it inside.
You could also use aquarium pebbles or gravel instead of sand.
If you’ve noticed an increase in gnats, it’s a good idea to repot your plant with the sterile soil, even if it’s not time for a repotting yet.
