How to Get Rid of Fungus Mites? 5 Ways

What do fungus gnats look like? They are annoying little black flies that usually appear after over-watering, as they thrive in warm, moist conditions – especially when laying eggs.

Once they appear, fungus gnats are unlikely to go away on their own, so it is important to take action as soon as you notice them to avoid a larger infestation. Despite their small size, fungus gnats can harm our indoor flowers.

To help people with this common problem, the team at online florist Euroflorist has put together five different tips on how to protect your plants from fungus gnats and other flies – and most importantly, from their harmful effects on your home – using environmentally friendly and chemical-free methods.

1. Fungus Mite Stickies

Fungus stickies are an effective, chemical-free solution to fungus mites that can be purchased at many stores. Place the stickies on the surface of the soil or attach them to a toothpick to hold them higher.

Fungus mites are attracted to the bright color of the traps, which will help catch the breeding population of fungus mites. After a few days, you should start to see flies stuck to the yellow surface. You can remove the traps and replace them if necessary. Sometimes, replacing them with new traps will give you a better idea of ​​the remaining fly count.

2. Change the Soil

Another way to get rid of fungus mites is to repot your plants and change the soil, which will remove the wet soil and roots that attract fungus mites. To do this, clean the roots of the plant of any soil, then rinse them with clean, fresh water. Then, choose a new pot to repot. You can also use the same pot, but make sure to wash it thoroughly in soapy water. Finally, fill the new pot with fresh soil or specially prepared sterile potting soil. Make sure to use soil designed for houseplants, as fungi prefer the wetter soils that we usually use for garden plants.

3. Use potato slices

A unique home remedy for fungi, or in this case their larvae, is to use potato slices. The potato slices will attract fungi with their moisture and nutrients, so you can pull them out of the soil and remove them easily. Simply cut up a few small pieces of potato and place them on the surface of the soil, then leave them for a few days. After this time, you should find a few larvae nearby, so remove the potato and throw it away. Repeat this process — until you succeed.

4. Use Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a powerful fungus gnat repellent, so this is a great option because it contains oils that will kill fungus gnats once they are absorbed. Simply apply a layer of diatomaceous earth to the surface of the soil if your plant is already potted, or mix it into the soil when repotting. Within a week or so, the fungus gnat and larvae population should begin to decrease, and after another week, the entire population living on your potted plant should be dead.

5. Water your plants from the bottom

As previously mentioned, fungus gnats usually appear due to overwatering and live on the surface of the plant’s soil. To minimize moisture levels, you can water your plants from the bottom, which will prevent overwatering the topsoil and reduce the risk of fungus gnats by allowing the roots to absorb the water directly.

To do this, fill the pot halfway with water and place the plant in the pot for about half an hour. The drainage holes should absorb water from the bottom, providing the plant with the ideal amount of watering without creating a wet environment for fungi on top.