Fungus Gnats- Are these flying around your indoor plants?

Tiny flying pest in my houseplants

fungus gnats life cycle

Fungus Gnats can become a problem on potted house plants, especially during the holiday season because we are bringing in flowering plants from nurseries, big box stores, as well as receiving as gifts. They are difficult to control because of their tiny size and life cycle.

 Here are some effective ways to treat them:

Let the potting soil dry out between watering. The "dry" surface is less attractive to females who are depositing eggs, and if eggs are deposited, they fail to hatch because of lack of moisture. This cultural approach can be very effective.

 Sticky traps really work!

Fly tape or sticky traps. The gnats are drawn to the yellow color. No need to fall for the trap of buying anything with pheromones either. Simply a yellow sticky trap.

Tiny larvae on the soil in houseplant pot

Bt is available (Sold under the names Gnatrol, Mosquito Bits) is very effective in controlling the larvae, is not harmful to beneficials, and approved for organic growers. So easy to use - just sprinkle on the soil in the pot!  Nematodes are also available should you desire biological control.

In severe infestations, you may consider washing the roots and re-potting in fresh soil, or simply spraying a light application of indoor houseplant insecticide. When you use any insecticide, be sure to read and follow all label instructions!  Finish by creating a tent over your plant and secure the bottom with a rubber band. Watch for a couple of weeks to see if there is still activity.  Don't worry about watering because you have created a little greenhouse but keep the plastic from touching the leaves. 

Fungus Gnats in Your Indoor Houseplants

Fungus Gnats can become a problem on potted house plants, especially during the holiday season because we are bringing in flowering plants from nurseries, and big box stores, as well as receiving them as gifts. They are difficult to control because of their tiny size and life cycle.

Here are some effective ways to treat them:

Proper Watering
Let the potting soil dry out between watering. The dry surface is less attractive to females depositing eggs, and if eggs are deposited, they fail to hatch because of lack of moisture. This cultural approach can be very effective.

Fly Tape or Sticky Traps 
The gnats are drawn to the yellow color. No need to fall for the trap of buying anything with pheromones either. Simply a yellow sticky trap.

Biological Control
Bt is available (Sold under the names Gnatrol, Mosquito Bits) is very effective in controlling the larvae, is not harmful to beneficial insects, and is approved for organic growers. Plus, it is so easy to use! Just sprinkle it on the soil in the pot!  Nematodes are also a natural option.

In severe infestations, you may consider washing the roots and re-potting your plant in fresh soil, or simply spraying a light application of indoor houseplant insecticide. When you use any insecticide, be sure to read and follow all label instructions! Finish by creating a tent over your plant and secure the bottom with a rubber band. Watch for a couple of weeks to see if there is still activity.  Don't worry about watering because you have created a little greenhouse but keep the plastic from touching the leaves. 

Contact your local University of Idaho Extension office for more information on controlling fungus gnats in your home.

Xeriscape not ZEROscape

Drought tolerant landscape doesn’t have to mean gravel, and spiky gray plants. Xeriscape (xeri=Greek for dry and scape=view) emphasizes the use of drought tolerant plant species combined with creative landscaping practices to conserve water.

The following terms: water-wise, drought tolerant, water thrifty, and water smart all refer to plants requiring less water in a managed landscape. We all want to use less water in our landscapes and don’t want to be that house with the ugly brown yard.

Whether you have established landscape or total do-over, take a look at the following Eight Principles of Xeriscape:

1. Plant and Design comprehensively from the beginning.

• Lower your water bill.
• Create a more interesting landscape. Plan your annual flower and vegetable gardens and create a planting guide.
• Invite more pollinators into your landscape.
• Don’t just plant and hope for the best
• Create a landscape plan. Identify all the plants in your landscape, their water, sun, and soil needs, and the seasonal maintenance for those plants.
• Record the micro climates in your landscape. Record the plants you add and take out of your landscape and why. Record monthly and annual tasks to remind you when to perform them.
• Develop a fertilization and mulch plan.

Legacy buffalo grass lawn in Boise, ID

2. Create practical turf area. Consider size, shape, and appropriate grasses. Turf uses the highest percentage of water. When planning, consider regionally appropriate turf. Sheep’s fescue (Festuca ovina), and Buffalograss (Bouteloua dactyloides) are two examples of grasses that require less water and grow well in the Treasure Valley. Raise mowing height to 2-4 inches on your mower. The taller grass shades the ground so slows evaporation and promotes deeper root growth. Research shows mulching the clippings instead of removing them, can replace one application of fertilizer per year.

You might consider replacing some of the grass with a  more planting beds for flowers or vegetables. Don’t forget to check your HOA rules when considering the removal of turf.

3. Choose plants for your growing zone.
Once established, regionally appropriate native and low water use plants require little water beyond the normal rainfall (about 12 inches per year of precipitation in the Treasure Valley with 5 of those inches between April-October. Consider soil type, exposure to sun, and choose the right plant for those conditions. 

4. Consider improving the soil with organic matter.  Healthy soil retains water and absorbs excess nutrients, Have your soil tested for nutrient content, PH, soil composition and organic matter. The report will give you suggestions for adding anything that is lacking.

5. Strongly consider using organic mulches such as wood chips.  Adding mulch controls weed growth and slows evaporation, so conserves water. 

6.Irrigate efficiently. Create zones to provide the right amount of water at the right time by grouping plants according to their water needs. Your tree, shrubs, flower and raised beds have different water requirements than your lawn. Consider drip irrigation or soaker hoses for flower beds, shrub and trees. More targeted watering cuts down on weeds and uses less water.
Avoid sprinklers that produce a fine mist or spray high into the air in order to reduce water loss from evaporation and wind.  To check your sprinkler output, use tuna cans or similar straight-sided cans placed at various places around your lawn.  Run lawn sprinklers for 5 minutes and measure the output.  Now calculate the time needed to get  1 inch of water per week on your turf.
Water requirements change often so don’t just set automatic systems and forget them. Review the water requirements often taking into account rainfall, temperature and wind. Adjust the time you water accordingly.

7. Water Harvesting. Direct your roof water into rain barrels or onto your landscape. This recharges Idaho's aquifers as well as irrigating our arid environment. Here's how to build a rain barrel.

8. Maintain your established landscape.  Learn how to prune and fertilize each plant in your landscape and record the requirements in your maintenance schedule.

.Consider visiting xeric demonstration gardens in the Treasure Valley area. Hopefully they will inspire you to improve water conservation in your own home landscape.

The Idaho Botanical Garden has several gardens within its footprint, including The Water Wise Garden and The Fire Wise Garden.

 
These following two links will give you an extensive overview of xeric gardening.

Idaho Landscapes & Gardens | UI Extension (uidaho.edu)

Here's one extensive detailed resource for Intermountain Areas.