How to get rid of house plant flies (fungus gnats)
We show you how to tackle house plant flies, also known as fungus gnats or sciarid flies, with advice from house plant expert Jane Perrone
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| To do | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Do you have small black flies living in your house plant compost? Or hovering around your house plants? These are fungus gnats, also known as house plant flies and sciarid flies. They're mostly harmless – adult gnats cause little or no harm to plants, but they can become a nuisance in the home. Their tiny worm-like larvae live in the top 5-8cm of compost, where they feed on algae, fungi and plant roots. Healthy house plants usually tolerate this minor root damage, but the larvae can harm seedlings or weak plants.
How to identify fungus gnats
Fungus gnats are small black flies that fly around house plants and live in house plant compost. You may mistake them for fruit flies – but if they're in and around your house plants, they're likely to be sciarid flies.
How to get rid of fungus gnats
Getting rid of fungus gnats is easier than you might think. Simply by watering less often and using a gravel mulch you can break the fungus gnat lifecycle and stop them breeding in your house plant compost. But there are other ways, too. We list four ways to get rid of fungus gnats, below.
Passionate about your indoor jungle? Find a gorgeous new plant container with our carefully curated collection of the 10 best indoor plant pots, or create an eye-catching display with one these stylish indoor plant stands. Alternatively, you might find our selection of the best indoor greenhouses just what you need to nurture tender specimens?
You Will Need
- House plants
- Yellow sticky traps
- Grit mulch
- Biological control for fungus gnats
Step 1: Water less often
Fungus gnat larvae need damp compost to live, as this is where algae and fungi thrive, on which the larvae feed. Simply by allowing the compost dry out between waterings, you’ll greatly reduce the fungus gnat population.
Step 2: Use a gravel mulch
Most commercially available composts have been sterilised, so they don’t contain fungus gnat larvae. If you cover the surface of the compost with a 1cm-thick mulch of gravel, grit or ornamental glass pebbles, this will stop house plant flies from being able to lay their eggs. Avoid using home-made garden compost indoors, as this can be a source of fungus gnats.
Step 3: Use sticky traps
Yellow sticky traps work by trapping the adult fungus gnats and breaking their lifecycle. Simply hang up a trap near affected plants, or attach it to a bamboo cane inserted into the compost. Keep the trap near soil level, as gnats rarely fly far from the compost. Avoid hanging the traps outside as you'll also trap butterflies and hoverflies.
- Buy eco-friendly yellow sticky traps from Amazon
- Buy a pack of 5 Dragonfli eco sticky traps from Thompson & Morgan
Step 4: Use biological control
If you have lots of house plants, it may be worth applying a biological control. To tackle fungus gnats use the nematode Steinernema feltiae, predatory mites or rove beetle larvae, and apply according to the pack instructions. These are available from online suppliers. While nematodes can be used in the home, the mites and beetle larvae are best used only in the contained environment of a greenhouse or sealed conservatory. If you’ve only got a few house plants, try growing a sundew (Drosera) nearby, as these sticky carnivorous plants are very good at trapping fungus gnats.
- Buy sciarid fly nematodes from Gardening Naturally
- Buy sciarid fly nematodes from OnBuy.c0m
- Buy a sundew plant from Crocus
By entering your details, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Year Planner 2025 on sale
Starting to plan your gardening year? The Year Planner 2025 is packed with expert advice from the Gardeners’ World team, to ensure you have your best gardening year yet.
New podcast series
Join Monty and the team for advice on winter gardening, tulips, caring for birds, house plants and more in the new BBC Gardeners' World Magazine podcast series.
