How to Keep Fungus Gnats Away From Your Home
Inspect all new house plants before bringing them into your home.
Denying fungus gnats entrance to your home by stopping any hitchhikers that may be hanging around a new plant is a great first line of defense against these tiny winged insects.
Adult fungus gnats buzzing around a potted plant is obviously a trouble sign, and those plants should be avoided. To take your inspection one step further, check for fungus gnat larvae in the soil around the base of the plant. These off-white or clear worm-like insects should be visible in the soil if present.
Always use sterile potting material. Do not over water plants.
Making sure that the plants in your home are not hosts to fungus gnats and other insects is key. By using only sterile potting material and by taking care not to over water that soil, you can avoid the creation of a breeding ground for fungus gnats.
Inspect any plant that was taken outside and brought back in.
Sometimes you may need to move certain house plants outside for temperature or lighting reasons. This may serve the plants well, but you should take care to inspect these house plants carefully for fungus gnats and other pests before they come back inside.
Discard heavily infested plants.
It's unfortunately true that sometimes it is best to accept the loss of a plant to insect pests. If a house plant is heavily infested with fungus gnats or other insects, treatment may not be worth the time and effort for you. Dispose of the plant away from your home and monitor remaining plants for fungus gnat activity.
Identify and repair any water leaks as soon as possible.
Unseen water leakage inside and around the exterior of your home could create ideal breeding grounds for fungus gnats and other unwanted pests. Stay aware of any water sources around your home that may produce standing water or unwanted drips.
Eliminating damp areas in which fungus gnats thrive is a key part of any good fungus gnat prevention plan. In addition to sinks and faucets, also keep an eye out for any cracks or holes outside your home where water may collect and attract pests.