The Fungus Gnat often plagues indoor houseplants like orchids. If left unchecked, these pests can damage and destroy your plants.
The fungus gnat is a fast-breeding insect. Its entire life cycle happens in as few as 21 days, meaning it can populate an area very fast. This can cause major damage to a garden or greenhouse if left unchecked.
This article will help you understand how to prevent this potential issue. By the end, you should have an understanding of what the fungal gnat is, what it can do, and how to prevent it. So read on and get the information you need.
What Are Fungus Gnats?
These insects are small, flying bugs that look like small mosquitos. They are not only found in gardens, living in many homes and offices too.
Fungus gnats reproduce through eggs that hatch into a larval stage. These larvae live in the topmost section of soil, around the first four inches below the surface. Here, they feed on the algae, plant matter, and fungi that survive in this moist environment.
One of the problems of the fungus gnat is that it is not picky about what it chooses to eat. It can also turn its attention to living foliage, causing damage to plant roots as it feeds.
Where Is the Fungus Gnat Found?
You can find fungus gnats across the United States. They are not limited to one location but exist in fewer numbers the further north you go as the season gets colder. During the summer months, they appear throughout the country.
If a location is not connected to the outside environment, a colony of gnats can survive a much longer time. This can be the case if you keep indoor plants in humid conditions, such as a greenhouse.
Signs of Fungus Gnats
If the leaf canopy of a set of trees starts to die off, this could be a sign of a fungus gnat infection. This is because the larvae will be eating away at the roots, preventing the plant from drawing up nutrients from the soil.
This harm can also cause discoloration, stunting, and a loss of leaves if left long enough.
How to Get Rid Of Fungus Gnats
There are two main ways to remove fungus gnats from a location. The first is to overhaul your soil control. By replacing the topmost layer of soil with a hydrophobic medium, you can prevent the gnat larvae from surviving and causing more harm to roots.
An alternative to this, and a way to ensure removal of the creatures is by using insecticides. This will kill off the gnats but you may need to apply it regularly.
Hiring a Professional
Now that you understand how to deal with a fungus gnat infestation, you should be able to start the process of removing them yourself. Not everyone is comfortable handling such chemicals themselves, though. As such, you may want to get ahold of a professional to apply it instead.
If this is the case, do not hesitate to get in contact with us. Our team is waiting for your word to get started and remove this creature from your garden. So, send us a message as soon as you can.