Fungus gnats – the little buggers that find your houseplants. They love to visit seedlings and can even infest your larger houseplants. They fly all over the house and drive gardeners crazy.
In this post I will look at how to get rid of fungus gnats on houseplants and discuss various ways to control them and revel the ones that works best.
The Amazon Elephants Ear plant, with its huge, lush leaves that collect water at their base, can become a breeding ground for mosquito larvae. Allowing mosquitoes to multiply in the stagnant water puts you and your family at risk of contracting diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus. Therefore, it’s crucial to control mosquito larvae in the water reservoirs of these plants. Here are some effective ways to tackle this problem:
Understand Why It’s an Issue
Female mosquitoes are attracted to the standing water in Elephants Ear leaves to lay their eggs. Once hatched the larvae mature into adult mosquitoes within 7-10 days. A single leaf filled with water allows hundreds of mosquitoes to breed. Left unchecked, the population can explode exponentially creating a major nuisance. Mosquitoes can easily spread dangerous diseases through their bites. So allowing them to spawn in your garden poses serious health hazards.
Change the Water Frequently
The most straightforward solution is to empty out old water and refill the Elephants Ear leaves with fresh water weekly. This interrupts the mosquito life cycle and gives larvae no chance to mature. Make changing the water a regular maintenance practice.
Use Mosquito Dunks
These small doughnut-shaped discs contain Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI), a natural bacteria that specifically kills mosquito larvae when ingested but is safe for other organisms. Simply toss a mosquito dunk into the plant’s water, and it will treat the area for 30 days. The bacteria disable the larvae’s digestive system, effectively controlling the population
Introduce Mosquito Fish
Adding tiny Gambusia or mosquito fish to larger reservoirs of Elephants Ear provides natural mosquito control These small fish feed on the larvae But give them adequate space in at least 10 gallons of water with hiding spots. They also need proper oxygenation and filtration to thrive.
Remove Debris
Clear out any dead leaves, compost, or rotting organic material that collects in the standing water. Mosquitoes are drawn to decaying matter to lay eggs. Keeping the plant and water clean reduces breeding spots.
Use Covers
For leaves that hold water constantly, stretch a fine mesh netting or cloth over them to block mosquito access. Ensure the material allows airflow and doesn’t create more stagnation. Check that water can still penetrate the barrier when it rains.
Apply Oils
Spreading a thin film of food-grade mineral oil or vegetable oil over static water prevents mosquito eggs from attaching and suffocates larvae. However, reapply after heavy rain as the oil breaks down. Don’t use this method for plants containing fish.
Utilize Predatory Insects
Introducing dragonfly nymphs or damselfly nymphs to larger water bodies like ponds eats mosquito larvae. They also compete for resources, further limiting the mosquito population. Ensure the predators have ample hiding spots and food.
Apply BTI Briquettes
These slow-release briquettes also contain BTI bacteria. Place them in fountains, ponds, or flooded areas, and they will automatically release bacteria for up to 30 days as they dissolve. The briquettes specifically target and eliminate mosquito larvae.
Use Larvicides
As a last resort, commercial larvicides containing insect growth regulators provide an effective chemical control. They are specifically designed to disrupt the mosquito life cycle and prevent larvae from maturing. Always follow label directions carefully. Improper use risks harming beneficial insects, plants, pets, or wildlife.
Remove Plant Entirely
For small infestations limited to one Elephants Ear, removing the plant altogether can solve the problem. If you opt to keep the plant, be diligent about manually changing the water or utilizing other mosquito prevention methods consistently. Otherwise, the larvae will return and repopulate quickly.
Controlling mosquito larvae in Amazon Elephants Ear requires persistent effort. Combining several of these methods works best for tackling infestations. Be vigilant about routinely eliminating standing water or treating it to break the mosquito breeding cycle. With some elbow grease, you can enjoy your garden mosquito-free!
Frequency of Entities:
Amazon Elephants Ear plant – 14
mosquito larvae – 14
water – 12
mosquitoes – 9
leaves – 5
breeding – 4
standing water – 3
plants – 3
larvae – 3
population – 3
fish – 2
disease – 2
eggs – 2
Bacillus thuringiensis kills Fungus Gnats
Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis or Bti, is a naturally occurring soil bacteria that is toxic to a variety of insects. When it is eaten by larvae, it kills them.
Bacillus thuringiensis is available in various commercial products. A convenient one that is readily available is a product called Mosquito Dunks. Break it into small pieces, sprinkle a bit on the surface of the soil and water it in. Repeat in 30 days. They also work well in keeping mosquitoes from breeding in rain collection barrels.
This product is considered perfectly safe for humans and pets. It will slowly kill the larvae and therefore future flies. It will not get rid of the flies that have already hatched or pupated.
Yellow Sticky Traps for Fungus Gnats
Place yellow sticky traps near plants, and right on the soil surface. Flies are attracted to them, stick, and die. You can buy these or make them yourself.
The DIY suggestions online include coating with Vaseline, honey, glue, and motor oil. I asked if these work in Facebook groups and the answer is no. There is a commercial product called Tangle-trap that might work when it is applied to yellow cards. The commercial products do work to control and monitor populations but they won’t get every last fly.
Yellow sticky cards have no effect on eggs, larvae or pupae, but over a 2-3 week period you will get rid of most of them, as new flies hatch out.
Stop Mosquito Bites or Hatching Larva at Home
FAQ
How to dispose of water with mosquito larvae?
How to keep mosquito larvae out of pets’ water?
How do you prevent mosquito larvae in a water feature?
How to get rid of worms in water plants?
How to prevent mosquitoes in plant water?
Preventing and controlling the mosquito problem in plant water is a crucial step in protecting ourselves from diseases like Zika virus, dengue fever, and malaria. By implementing strategies such as removing stagnant water and using natural deterrents, I ensure that my efforts are both effective and environmentally friendly.
How do you propagate Alocasia elephant ear?
Propagate the Alocasia elephant ear plant by dividing the roots. The tuberous roots grow small offsets that are easy to separate from the ‘mother’ plant. You can plant these ‘babies’ directly into fresh soil to grow new plants. To propagate African mask plants, gently remove the root ball from the container. Clean excess dirt from the rhizome.
How do you humidify Alocasia elephant ear plants?
Here are some ways to humidify Alocasia elephant ear plants: Mist the leaves —Fill a spray bottle with filtered tap water. Finely mist the leaves every other day but avoid getting them too wet. Group houseplants —Grow houseplants together to create a humid atmosphere to encourage fast growth.
How do you care for Alocasia elephant ear?
The best way to care for the Alocasia elephant ear plant is to avoid temperature extremes. In summer, keep the Alocasia pot out of cold airflow from AC units or drafts from doors or windows. In winter, avoid placing the plant pot near hot air vents or radiators. Alocasia Amazonica needs at least 50 percent humidity to grow well indoors.