--- title: "Hello there! Help needed 🚨 These two plants are constantly swarming…" description: "Hello there! Help needed 🚨 These two plants are constantly swarming with giant gnats or fruit flies. It’s getting really disturbing to live around. I’m not…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/HFOu8HAkSfatixPGJUOhSg" community: "Pests, diseases and problems" author: "NewPlantLady" published: "2024-04-06T15:20:57.653695Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/wCZ-xi0qHr1-_jsBqiyXB1qrP452QkkIRJ_mdwPd20Q/0EI7tmuQT9q26fwShYiBjw.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md) # Hello there! Help needed 🚨 These two plants are constantly swarming… _Posted by NewPlantLady on 2024-04-06_ Hello there! Help needed 🚨 These two plants are constantly swarming with giant gnats or fruit flies. It’s getting really disturbing to live around. I’m not sure if it is also hurting the plants, because they have looked healthier than they do now. I’ve looked up lots of remedies online to catch them. None have been working. I’m not sure if it’s the soil causing this or the plant itself. I would love anyone and everyone’s opinion! I’m in the verge of getting rid of my plants because it’s so bad. 😩 ![Attachment 1 of 5](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/wCZ-xi0qHr1-_jsBqiyXB1qrP452QkkIRJ_mdwPd20Q/0EI7tmuQT9q26fwShYiBjw.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 2 of 5](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/wCZ-xi0qHr1-_jsBqiyXB1qrP452QkkIRJ_mdwPd20Q/0bYL2SAdRHekCuwzRoG-Iw.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 3 of 5](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/wCZ-xi0qHr1-_jsBqiyXB1qrP452QkkIRJ_mdwPd20Q/9aN6V0XASGedTOGkVdMuSg.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 4 of 5](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/wCZ-xi0qHr1-_jsBqiyXB1qrP452QkkIRJ_mdwPd20Q/XbT2nSgGRmWBp096c1AWcg.webp?size=large) ![Attachment 5 of 5](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/wCZ-xi0qHr1-_jsBqiyXB1qrP452QkkIRJ_mdwPd20Q/pfYwMpSnR6yECdMLaFzmng.webp?size=large) ## 8 comments ### ellis🪻 commented on 2024-04-06 are you making sure the soil is pretty much completely dry in between waterings? that helped me reduce my gnat problem, and i also would do weekly, or every other day when severe, sprays of a neem/water solution? ### dare 🌸 commented on 2024-04-06 My dieffenbachia doesn’t like to fully dry out, so what I do/recommend is adding mosquito bits to the water. You can get a bag of it on amazon. The ratio is 4tbsp to 1 gallon of water, let it sit for 30min, then water your plant as normal. It will kill the gnat larvae, but will not cause any harm to the plant. You’ll have to use it for several watering cycles, as the adults fly gnats will continue to lay lots of eggs. You could also try lightening up on the amount of water you’re giving it, because the soil looks very wet. I use mosq bit water on all my plants as a preventative measure, especially during overcast weather and throughout winter. You can let the succulents drought in the meantime to help with quicker results. Once they are completely dried out for a few days, use the mosquito bits water on them as well. Good luck 😄 ### smelliot commented on 2024-04-06 mosquito bits or a light spray and sticky traps ### Pretty fly 4 a Cacti commented on 2024-04-06 In the long run switch to bottom watering rather than watering from the top. Fungus gnats lay their eggs in the top soil when it’s moist - no moist top = no eggs. To kill those that have already been laid do a top watering but add food grade hydrogen peroxide to the water. I measure with my heart but google will have a specific ratio. You’ll hear it bubbling/fizzing as it aerates the soil and kills the eggs. For the adults you’ll need yellow sticky traps, you can get them on amazon or SHEIN ### Peijb commented on 2024-04-06 I found these sticky traps that have a blue light that catch the gnats that works AMAZING! I swear the gnats got too smart for my yellow stick traps in the pots. But they absolutely can’t stay away from the lighted traps. ### Leigh commented on 2024-04-06 I used Nematodes and it knocked them out. Took over a week to see a difference because it was getting to the source. I've also debated using some sort of top soil that is rock base to deter the parents from laying eggs but so far the nematodes have worked. #### S.R replied on 2024-04-06 What happens to the nematodes once they are done? Like do you recollect them or they just live in your plants now? ### Leigh commented on 2024-04-06 I'm still learning but I believe if there is no more eggs for them to feed on, they die off. They are so small, we would never know either way --- _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_