If you’re an avid gardener, chances are you’ve probably brought in plenty of precious potted plants for the winter. While it’s certainly a great idea to keep your plants protected from the cold weather, having your plants close by can also allow you to notice certain things you may not have seen while they were outside — like a fungus gnat infestation for starters!
Appearance: The two most common fungus gnats are the Sciaridae and the Mycetophilidae. Each gnat is tiny, dark and similar in stature to the mosquito. It is characteristic of a long, pointed abdomen with very long legs and antennae. This is different from the common drain fly, which has very short antennae. Their wings are also hairless, unlike drain flies and they are about 1/16th inch in length.
Habitat: Unlike the common drain fly, a fungus gnat is most likely to be found hovering around and breeding within the damp soil of your potted plants. They’ve also been known to make homes within large planters in office buildings, lobbies and shopping malls as well. Often times fungus gnats also congregate on window sills, or in areas of the home or office where water leaks have occurred. They tend to gravitate towards damp, bacteria prone items, including animal feces, decaying plants, moldy grass clipping, and more.
Behavior: Fungus gnats can generally be spotted sticking close to their breeding site. If you notice small black flies hovering around your potted plants, chances are these tiny pests have taken hold. Their larvae feed on the organic material and natural fungus that forms in damp soil, and can damage the roots of your plants in large numbers.
The best way to prevent fungus gnats from invading your potted plants is by keeping watering to a minimum. Giving your soil the chance to dry out a bit in between watering can help kill off unwelcome gnat larvae.
Pest Control Unlimited is a full service residential and commercial pest control professional. We’re committed to providing high quality, fast and efficient pest control services to the Massachusetts and New Hampshire areas. For more information call at 888-649-9919 today.
