One day I brought home another beautiful plant from the store. The next morning I woke up to find annoying little, flying insects everywhere. Trust me, I had a LOT of them. Below are the ways that worked best for me to rid my houseplants (and myself) of these annoying pests.
WARNING: PICTURES OF BUGS TO COME
1. Apple Cider Vinegar Mix
This method got rid of the most insects the quickest, and all of these ingredients you probably already have around the house. I placed one in each room, especially near my plants and the food in the kitchen.
I combined:
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- dash of sugar
- few drops dish soap
Don’t get caught up on measuring the ingredients. I have never measured them, and it still works every time! The apple cider vinegar and sugar are sweet to attract the insects, and the soap traps them in the mixture.
2. Bottom Watering
This method is very important, because you want to stop the pests at the source. Gnats lay their eggs in the wet topsoil of your plant. When the eggs hatch, you have larvae crawling all around in the soil, eating the roots, and killing the plant. A gnats breeding cycle is complete in about 2 weeks and can lay up to 800 eggs! (which explains why they multiply so quickly)
You can water your plant by pouring the water into the bottom tray. The plant will soak up as much water as it needs. I also water mine by setting them in the sink or the bathtub, especially if they are large. You will have to leave them in the water for a while sometimes. Make sure you do not try to water them quickly before work, because it can take 30 minutes for each plant, or sometimes even an hour depending on their size.
3. Neem Oil
So what do you do if you already have the larvae crawling around in your soil? My favorite way to kill pests is with Neem Oil. I buy the oil, because I can get more uses out of it than a spray, which will save you money in the long run.
I combine:
- 1 teaspoon Neem Oil
- 1/2 teaspoon non-toxic soap
- fill the rest of the spray bottle with water
The soap is in there to dissolve the oil. The water deludes the oil, so it doesn’t end up killing your plants. I mix the water and soap first, and then I mix the oil in. Make sure to use it the same day you make it. Spray on the soil to kill the gross larvae. The best time to apply is in the morning when it isn’t very sunny out.
Pro Tip: Use once a week as a preventative measure for all pests. Target the underside of leaves, as this is where many pests like to hide.
4. Sticky Traps
Sticky traps are another great way to get rid of gnats. The bright colors attract them, and as the name suggests, they get stuck. I buy this kind, because they come with all sorts of cute patterns. You can purchase butterflies, birds, flowers, cats. etc. for an affordable price!
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Stingmon/page/9223868E-398D-4F5D-8736-82F7B5B7D4D1?ref_=ast_bln
Above is a link to the brand of sticky traps I purchase. They are sold on Amazon. These are waterproof, allowing you to rinse them and use again!
All of these methods have gotten rid of my gnat problem, and I hope they get rid of yours! If you have stuck around this long, you might as well subscribe for more plant tips in the future! Please comment below any other tips you have to get rid of gnats, because I have a feeling I will be seeing more in the future (eye roll).