How to Get Rid of Gnats in African Mallow Shrubs

Gnats can be a nuisance for any gardener, but they seem especially drawn to African mallow shrubs As the weather warms up, you may start to notice small flies buzzing around the leaves and flowers of your prized mallows Though mostly harmless, gnats can damage plants by spreading fungal diseases. Their swarms can also ruin your enjoyment of gardening.

The good news is that getting rid of gnats on African mallows is totally doable with some simple tricks. We’ll walk through why gnats congregate on these shrubs and the best organic and chemical solutions for kicking them to the curb. With a multi-pronged approach, you can send those annoying bugs packing and restore peace to your garden.

Why Gnats Love African Mallows

Before we dive into solutions let’s look at what makes African mallows so irresistible to gnats. There are a few key factors at play

• Nectar – Like other flies, gnats feed on sugary plant secretions. The bright, plump flowers of African mallows produce abundant nectar that serves up an all-you-can-eat buffet for gnats.

• Moisture – Gnats need a damp environment to breed and thrive. The large, soft leaves of mallows hold moisture, creating little pockets of humidity gnats adore.

• Decay – Gnats lay their eggs in moist, decaying plant matter. As older mallow leaves die off, they become prime real estate for gnat reproduction.

• Protection – The dense, shrubby form of African mallows offers gnats safety from predators like birds and beneficial insects. They can party on the nectar undisturbed inside the shrub.

Organic Methods to Control Gnats on Mallows

For gardeners wishing to avoid chemical pesticides, organic gnat control is easy and effective. Here are some DIY approaches to try:

Remove Excess Moisture

Fixing excess moisture issues should be your first line of defense. Gnats need wetness to survive, so eliminating damp areas denies them habitat.

• Improve drainage around mallows if soil stays soggy after watering or rain. Gnats breed in the wet top layer of soil.

• Allow the top few inches of soil to dry out between waterings. This removes moisture gnats need for laying eggs.

• Clear away piled up mulch, leaves, or debris near mallows that can trap moisture against the leaves and stems.

• Thin inner branches to open up air flow and drying within the shrub. Good air circulation means less humidity for gnats.

• Avoid overwatering and fix any irrigation leaks wetting the foliage and soil.

By tackling dampness issues, you’ll make your yard far less welcoming to gnats seeking moist breeding sites.

Use Fans

Portable or oscillating outdoor fans can Work wonders for controlling gnats. The air currents disrupt gnat flight and drying action cuts down on the humidity they need. Run fans near mallows for a few hours each day to annoy gnats and discourage them from lingering.

Apply Diatomaceous Earth

This powdery chalk made from crushed fossils cuts and dehydrates small insects. Lightly dusting diatomaceous earth on mallow leaves, stems, and surrounding soil provides residual gnat control. The sharp particles damage their exoskeletons and cause dehydration. Reapply after rain or watering.

Use Sticky Traps

Yellow and blue sticky traps lure adult gnats looking for mallow flowers to feed on. The sticky surface grabs them when they land. Traps near mallows capture and reduce gnat populations over time. Replace as they fill up for ongoing control.

Encourage Natural Predators

Beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and predatory mites feed on gnat eggs and larvae. Attract them to your yard by planting pollen and nectar sources like dill, fennel, and cosmos. They’ll help keep gnat populations in check naturally.

Apply Neem Oil Sprays

Extracts from the neem tree have insecticidal properties. Neem oil sprays smother gnat eggs and deter adults from laying more. Coat mallow leaves and stems to disrupt the gnat breeding cycle. Reapply weekly. The oil also repels aphids and other common plant pests.

Remove Infested Leaves and Stems

Pick off and dispose of any mallow leaves or stems covered in large numbers of gnats. Pruning off the infested portions removes eggs and larvae before they can mature and spread further. Clean up fallen leaves promptly for the same reason.

With a little diligence using these organic methods, you can knock back gnat infestations plaguing your African mallows. The key is sticking with the control program and not allowing flies to rebound between treatments.

Chemical Options for Gnat Elimination

If organic options haven’t resolved a severe gnat problem, chemical pesticides offer another avenue for obliterating the flies. Here are some effective products to try:

Insecticidal Soaps

Soap-based insecticide sprays kill gnats on contact while also removing the waxy layering on leaves that attracts flies. Coat mallow foliage thoroughly, especially the undersides of leaves where gnats hide and lay eggs. Reapply every 5-7 days. Insecticidal soaps are safe for people and pets when used as directed.

Pyrethrins

Extracted from chrysanthemum flowers, pyrethrin insecticides work quickly against gnats while decomposing rapidly in sunlight. Pyrethrins disrupt gnat nervous systems on contact. Spray mallows in the early morning or evening when gnats are most active and unlikely to be washed off by rain. Reapply weekly.

Azadirachtin (Neem) Products

As mentioned, neem oil can deter gnats but neem-based insecticides containing azadirachtin take effectiveness up a notch. Azadirachtin interferes with gnat hormone systems, deterring egg laying and disrupting larval development. Drench mallow soil to kill larvae and coat foliage to repel adults. Reapply every 7-10 days.

Imidacloprid

This common pesticide works systemically, meaning plants absorb it and distribute the active ingredient throughout their tissues. Gnats ingest it when feeding on mallow sap and nectar, leading to toxicity and death. Imidacloprid prevents gnat larvae from maturing. Apply as a soil drench or granules and re-treat every 3-4 weeks.

Surface Sprays

Generaluse insecticides with ingredients like bifenthrin, zeta-cypermethrin, or permethrin kill adult gnats on contact and continue working for several weeks after application. Use them to spray mallow leaves and surrounding ground covers where gnats land and rest. These compounds have longer residual effects than soaps or oils.

For severe infestations, combining chemical treatments like soil drenches and surface sprays often brings the quickest and most effective results. Just be sure to carefully follow label directions when using any pesticide.

With persistence, you can break the gnat stranglehold on your prized African mallows. Don’t let these small flies detract from the beauty and enjoyment of your garden oasis. Try organic methods first but don’t hesitate to bring in the big guns if gnats remain problematic. A pesticide-free yard is a worthy goal but sometimes chemical assistance is warranted against destructive pests. Just remember to rotate treatment types to prevent gnats from developing resistance.

Preventing Future Gnat Outbreaks

Once you’ve succeeded in eliminating current gnats on mallows, a little prevention can help stop reinfestations later on:

• Remove and destroy heavily infested plant parts and fallen leaves where gnats may continue developing.

• Dispose of gnat-ridden yard debris promptly before larvae inside can mature.

• Allow soil to dry out between waterings to deter gnat breeding.

• Improve drainage and air circulation around mallows.

• Cover decomposing mulch layers with fresh material to eliminate gnat habitats.

• Treat surrounding plants and grass with insecticides if they harbor gnats migrating back to mallows.

• Apply beneficial nematodes to soil to parasitize and kill gnat larvae.

• Use row covers over mallows as needed to create a temporary physical barrier against flies.

With some care taken to eliminate gnat hideouts and breeding spots, you can prevent the same struggles next year. Starve gnats of what they need to thrive, and your African mallows will once again be pest free.

Gnats may be tiny, but they can be tenacious in plaguing tender foliage and flowers. Don’t resign yourself to sharing your mallows with swarms of annoying flies. Whether using