Oh. My. Goodness. I HATE fungus gnats. And thats from someone who dislikes using the word hate. And Ive put it in capitals. Yep. That much.
When I first started collecting plants I was quickly over-run by Fungus Gnats. And because they love carbon dioxide, the only thing more appealing to them than the moist soil of my plants, was the CO2 in my breath, so you always know when you have Fungus Gnats.
Even one or two adults and theyll quite literally be all up in your face. Plus I couldnt leave a cup of tea uncovered without finding little unwanted floaters, and I really love my tea. They had to go…
Amazon links in this post may be affiliate links which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through links. Learn more I tried almost every remedy out there, starting with what was in the pantry (cinnamon, apple cider vinegar, potatoes…), you name it, I tried it. Everything helped a little, some more than others (and the cinnamon smelt lovely when I watered), but nothing totally eliminated them, they only reduced the population a little. Simply watering less helped also, although I did take it a bit far and ended up almost losing some plants, so had to find a solution that didnt compromise my plants health.
What DID get rid of Fungus Gnats entirely for me in the end, was this simple two step method below. Thats not to say this is the one-and-only method. Just the one that finally worked for me once and for all.
As a proud owner of an Amazon Elephants Ear plant you know just how impressive those big beautiful leaves can be. But when tiny gnats start buzzing around those leaves, it can really take away from your plant’s appeal. Getting rid of gnats in your Elephants Ear takes some patience and persistence, but it’s doable! Here’s my guide on eradicating those annoying bugs for good.
Understanding Gnats and Their Effects on Plants
Before diving into solutions, it’s helpful to understand what gnats are and why they’re drawn to houseplants like the Elephants Ear. Gnats are small flies that feed on organic matter in soil. They lay hundreds of eggs in the top layers of moist soil, and when those eggs hatch, the larvae eat away at plant roots.
This can stunt your plant’s growth and even introduce diseases. Plus, once the larvae morph into adult gnats, they’ll fly around your plant looking for moist soil to keep laying eggs. So if you don’t get rid of them, you’ll have a constantly regenerating gnat population.
Prevention is The Best Medicine Against Gnats
As the old saying goes an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Here are some tips to keep your Elephants Ear gnat-free
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Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Gnats need moisture to survive, so dry soil deters them.
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Use well-draining soil and pots with drainage holes. This prevents moisture from accumulating.
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Don’t over water your plant. Too much moisture makes for a perfect gnat breeding ground.
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Remove fallen leaves and debris around the plant. This takes away gnat food sources.
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Keep the plant in a sunny spot. Gnats prefer shade and humidity.
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Cover the soil with sand. This blocks gnats from laying eggs in the soil.
Safe, Natural Remedies to Kick Gnats Out
If you already see tiny flies buzzing around your Elephants Ear, try these safe, natural gnat remedies first:
Sticky Traps – Yellow sticky traps placed around the plant attract adult gnats looking to lay eggs. Once stuck, they can’t reproduce.
Neem Oil – This natural insecticide disrupts the gnat life cycle. Just mix it with water and spray the soil.
Cinnamon – Sprinkling cinnamon on the soil deters gnats from laying eggs and has antifungal properties.
Hydrogen Peroxide – Mixing a 3% solution with water and pouring it on the soil can kill gnat larvae.
Sand Topping – As mentioned for prevention, a light layer of sand blocks gnats from reaching the soil.
Bottom Watering – Only adding water beneath the surface prevents moisture in the top layers where gnats lay eggs.
When to Use Chemical Solutions
If non-toxic methods aren’t working after 2-3 weeks, it may be time to turn to chemical solutions. Here are some gnat-killing products to try:
Insecticidal Soap – Safe for indoor use, insecticidal soap coats gnats and larvae and kills them on contact. Spray it on the soil.
Gnatrol WDG – This biological larvicide contains bacteria that specifically attack gnat larvae in the soil. Apply it as a soil drench.
Mosquito Bits – These contain bacteria that kill gnat larvae when watered into the soil. The bacteria are harmless to plants.
Diatomaceous Earth – Sprinkled on the soil, the powdery fossilized remains of algae shred the bodies of gnat larvae.
Be sure to always follow label directions with any chemical product. And apply them only to the soil, avoiding the plant’s leaves.
Maintaining a Gnat-Free Elephants Ear
Once you’ve succeeded in eliminating gnats from your Elephants Ear, be vigilant about keeping them away for good. Here are some maintenance tips:
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Keep monitoring for signs of bugs, and act quickly if they return. Early intervention is key.
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Water only when the top inch of soil is dry. And water deeply, not frequently.
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Prune off any dead or dying foliage, where gnats like to hide.
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Use yellow sticky traps continuously to catch stray adults.
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Repot annually in fresh, sterile potting mix. This removes any larvae from old soil.
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Remove weeds where gnats breed.
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Avoid potting mixes with compost, which can contain eggs.
With some diligence, patience, and the right mix of prevention and treatment, you can have an gorgeous, gnat-free Elephants Ear brightening up your home. No more pesky bugs ruining the beauty of those big, bold leaves. Just remember to stick to a consistent watering routine and incorporate natural deterrents like cinnamon and sand into your care regimen. Here’s to helping your Elephants Ear thrive, gnats not included!
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The easy way to kill fungus gnats for indoor plants
Links for the locals in New Zealand > Sticky traps and Mozzie Bits (or Mozzie Dunks)
And for my overseas plant friends > You can get those on Amazon here instead: Sticky Traps and Mozzie Bits
How do you make ‘mozzie tea’ for fungus gnats using mozzie bits?
For indoor plants, you can use a mixture of 4 tablespoons of Mozzie Bits (NZ) or Mosquito Bits (USA), per 4.5 litres of warm water. The warmer the water the shorter the time it needs to soak. In very warm water (not boiling) soak for at least 30 minutes so the BTI infuses into the water, then allow time for the water to cool before watering.
Once soaked, scoop out the used granules. They will float to the top but can be a pain to sieve or scoop out, so another tip is to use a mesh bag (NZ) or media bag (US) for no mess. Once those granules are removed, give your mozzie tea a bit of a stir and simply top water as usual. If using mozzie dunks the dilution rate and process is different (coming up below).
You can bottom water if you prefer, but the larvae tend to hang out near the top, so it wont be as effective. If you do bottom water youll need to leave the plant to soak long enough for the top surface of the soil to be wet. You can also bottom water and just keep a little of the mozzie tea aside to spray the top layer of the soil with so the top of saturated.
One 200gram Mozzie Bits works out to just over 33 tablespoons, (a tablespoon averages 6gms of granules), so one pack makes over 37 litres of Mozzie Tea.
The cooler the water, the longer the mixture needs to infuse. Ive heard of some leaving it in cold water to soak overnight but the bacteria do become inactive over time, so I prefer the warm water + short soak method myself. You do have to wait for the water to cool before you water. I normally do a warm water soak for at least one hour by which time its soaked and room temperature, ready for watering. Once mixed, use fresh.
How to Keep Gnats Away from Plants | creative explained
FAQ
Why does my elephant ear plant have gnats?
What kills gnats without killing plants?
Should I repot my plant if it has fungus gnats?
How do I prevent gnats in my garden?
Take these precautions to prevent gnats: Avoid overwatering your plants. Inspect your plants often and prune off or throw out dead leaves and flowers. Use a fine layer of sand or diatomaceous earth on top of plant soil to deter gnats from laying eggs. Use well-draining pots and soils. Inspect new plants for gnats before buying them.
How do you stop Gnats from laying eggs?
Use a fine layer of sand or diatomaceous earth on top of plant soil to deter gnats from laying eggs. Use well-draining pots and soils. Inspect new plants for gnats before buying them. Seal cracks and holes around doorways, windows, and drains to prevent gnats from entering. Clean up damp places and allow them to dry.
Can natural remedies kill gnats?
Natural remedies are eco-friendly and pose no health risks to humans or pets. However, it may be time to turn to chemical options if you try a few natural solutions and still have a gnat problem. Hydrogen peroxide is a useful tool to kill gnat larvae and is a common household item.
How do I get rid of elephant ear?
Elephant ear’s large foliage also shades out and kills native vegetation. Getting rid of elephant ears is no simple task. It requires persistence. Removing unwanted elephant ear plants involves using herbicides as well as actually digging up the aggressive tubers.