Fungus gnats, also known as sciarid flies, can be a nuisance for plant lovers. Many people think that these little flies are only active during the warm months of the year, but the opposite is true. You can also be bothered by fungus gnats during the winter. Why is that? Let’s take a look at the reasons why these little insects can invade your home even during the colder months.
Use the power of Nematodes Against Pests in combination with yellow sticky traps for a strong approach against fungus gnats.
Always looking for warmth
Fungus gnats naturally seek out warm places to survive and breed. In the winter, when temperatures drop outside, the inside of our homes becomes an attractive place for these flies. The warmth we create in our homes through heating provides an ideal habitat for fungus gnats. They can easily enter through open doors and windows, or even with new houseplants that you bring into your home.
The appeal of houseplants
Once inside, fungus gnats are often attracted to our houseplants. The moist soil provides a perfect place for the females to lay their eggs. The larvae that hatch from these eggs feed on the fungi and organic matter in the soil, but can also cause damage to the roots of your plants. This can be especially problematic during the winter, when plants’ growth slows and they are more vulnerable to damage.
Prevention and control
Preventing and controlling fungus gnats in winter requires a few steps:
- Good ventilation : Make sure your home is well ventilated to keep humidity levels low. This will make your home less attractive to fungus gnats.
- Moderate watering : Overwatering your plants can lead to an overly humid environment, which is ideal for fungus gnats. Only water your plants when absolutely necessary.
- Allow soil to dry out : Allow the top layer of potting soil to dry out between waterings. This can help reduce the population of fungus gnats. You can also water houseplants through a straw, which will keep the top layer of soil dry.
- Yellow sticky traps : Use our yellow sticky traps against fungus gnats. The fungus gnats are attracted by the yellow colour and then stick to the glue. This way you can combat the adult fungus gnats.
- Use of natural enemies : There are natural enemies of fungus gnats, such as nematodes, that you can use to combat the population. Nematodes eat the larvae of the fungus gnats. This breaks the cycle of the fungus gnats.
The Fungus Gnats Starter Kit!
Our Fungus gnat Starter Kit consists of the yellow sticky traps and nematodes. This way you can combat the larvae and adult fungus gnats, so you see results even faster!
Cause: The heat of your home and the moist potting soil
Fungus gnats in the winter are not uncommon. The warmth of your home and the moist potting soil of your houseplants create an ideal living environment for these annoying insects. By consciously caring for your plants and ventilating your home well, you can reduce the nuisance of fungus gnats.
