---
title: "Have any of you used predatory mites to control fungus gnats in your…"
description: "Have any of you used predatory mites to control fungus gnats in your terrariums? I’m at the point where I can’t have any terrariums because they immediately…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/JlZgmfitRxCDd44wsMWc-A/NAh7ShipSp2dZ9B1fMegFQ"
community: "Terrarium Discoveries"
author: "Mads"
published: "2024-05-27T20:31:15.632863Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v2/cloudinary/global_data/communities/zirskemumlwbyhdlmpyo.jpg"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Terrarium Discoveries](https://getplanta.com/community/JlZgmfitRxCDd44wsMWc-A.md)

# Have any of you used predatory mites to control fungus gnats in your…

_Posted by Mads on 2024-05-27_

Have any of you used predatory mites to control fungus gnats in your terrariums?

I’m at the point where I can’t have any terrariums because they immediately get infested. 😞 Which is a problem for my plants that require consistently moist soil.

I’ve used neem oil and hydrogen peroxide solutions in the past, but the gnats always come back.

I hate them so. Death to fungus gnats.

## 8 comments

### Mullein commented on 2024-05-27

Do you have any critters in the terrarium on purpose? Or is it plant-only?

#### Mads replied on 2024-05-27

It’s a plant only terrarium.

#### Mullein replied on 2024-05-27

I haven’t used predatory mites, but I have used beneficial nematodes for thrips. I think they worked and I like that the nematodes are microscopic, unlike some beneficial insects. But if gnats are your only issue, I think it would be easier and possibly cheaper to use Mosquito Bits. It’s made for keeping mosquitoes larvae from growing in ponds and such. But they also work on gnat larvae if you steep the granules in the water you use for your plants. Since it targets larvae, you should treat for at least a month straight to interrupt the life cycle

#### Mads replied on 2024-05-28

Ok thank you! I’ve looked into those, but the reviews on Amazon were all over the place, so I wasn’t sure they’d be worth the cost. Do you have a brand you recommend?

### Riley commented on 2024-05-27

I’ve heard that springtails and isopods can keep terrariums healthier, and they may eat the fungus gnats, or at least their larvae

#### Mads replied on 2024-05-28

So I could put pillbugs in my terrarium? I like them, and they’re everywhere in my yard. ☺️

### Margot commented on 2024-05-30

Do you have other critters in your terrarium you are trying to keep? If not I would try mosquito bits while watering, it eradicated my problem in one watering, but some people say it takes a few waterings

#### Mads replied on 2024-05-30

Thank you!

---

_Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_