---
title: "HELP!! Philodendron fungus gnat infestation‼️ Repotted with fresh…"
description: "HELP!! Philodendron fungus gnat infestation‼️ Repotted with fresh soil about a month ago, after noticing it already had gnats but roots were coming out of the…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/6WjlL_2rTSS00GnYx8UA_g/64a5a2f9ecec59117a243df9"
community: "Philodendron Parents"
author: "Natalie"
published: "2023-07-05T17:06:01.185Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/QLWgmVWXg1PHUk65dBWkabfrhj3nzeU58e_r1eoagT8/465bdeee0a03442fa8c573f12ceea612.webp?size=large"
---

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# HELP!! Philodendron fungus gnat infestation‼️ Repotted with fresh…

_Posted by Natalie on 2023-07-05_

HELP!! Philodendron fungus gnat infestation‼️ Repotted with fresh soil about a month ago, after noticing it already had gnats but roots were coming out of the bottom of the pot. I’m not sure what to do, it’s a very sensitive plant and I’ve only had it about a month 1/2. What should I do?!!

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/QLWgmVWXg1PHUk65dBWkabfrhj3nzeU58e_r1eoagT8/465bdeee0a03442fa8c573f12ceea612.webp?size=large)

## 7 comments

### Melissa commented on 2023-07-05

I have also had good luck using pebbles on the top as a layer on the soil. The gnats cannot get into the soil with the rocks and if in the soil they cannot get out. I haven’t had gnats since I started doing this, until recently and realized one of my new babies I recently brought home came in a small pot and I never put the pebbles on it. Once I did it was only a matter of days till my gnats were gone again.

#### Natalie replied on 2023-07-05

Thanks! Do you water over the pebbles or water the plant then add the pebbles?

#### Melissa replied on 2023-07-05

If your plant is due to be watered you can water first. I just have the pebbles in it permanently now and water over them when watering is do.

### Danika commented on 2023-07-05

The pebble thing is kind of a dangerous path fyi. If you get to the bottom of why fungus gnats appear in the first place, its because there is rot present for them to eat. Rot developes from soil that stays wet for too long. Soil stays wet for too long because its inside stagnant air as well as not enough light, so it doesn’t have energy to drink up all the water faster. By putting anything over your soil such as pebbles or moss or other decorative things, you are trapping even more moisture into the soil for even longer. This kind of thing is good for succulents or anything that is drying out way too fast. But not for a plant that is already on brink of root rot.  
Def use the sticky traps, def use mosquito bits.

### Marga commented on 2023-07-05

I would start bottom watering so the top soil doesn’t get too wet for these gnats to live in

### anna catherine commented on 2023-07-13

use a mixture of 1 part hydrogen peroxide and 4 parts water on the topsoil. the hydrogen peroxide will purify the soil, kill the gnats, and any fungus they’re eating!

for your regular watering routine, bottom water so that the topsoil doesn’t stay too damp.

### Pete commented on 2023-07-15

Need a more airy mix as well avoid store bought soil many come with bugs/eggs in it

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