---
title: "Hi everyone, had a pretty bad fungus gnat problem recently I have…"
description: "Hi everyone, had a pretty bad fungus gnat problem recently I have done 2 mosquito bits treatments and read somewhere that if you put about a half inch layer of…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/Vd2D2QMKQUazb3xDVsU8zg"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Jack_R"
published: "2024-07-08T02:00:54.537918Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/rSwvJZ4eNlWWNeDYLEjv_ikXRBLWnAKU4la1k_anTvA/bT7pg_sqQhGNTCuXboukKA.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md)

# Hi everyone, had a pretty bad fungus gnat problem recently I have…

_Posted by Jack\_R on 2024-07-08_

Hi everyone, had a pretty bad fungus gnat problem recently I have done 2 mosquito bits treatments and read somewhere that if you put about a half inch layer of sand over the medium that can help to prevent adult gnats from being able to lay new eggs in the soil and newly hatched eggs to be able to escape. The sand combined with the mosquito bits seems to have worked extremely well but while using my moisture meter the couple plants I have put sand on top have much higher soil moisture level. Is the sand preventing the soil from being able to aerate and dry out naturally? Trying to avoid root rot here. Thanks so much in advance

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/rSwvJZ4eNlWWNeDYLEjv_ikXRBLWnAKU4la1k_anTvA/bT7pg_sqQhGNTCuXboukKA.webp?size=large)

## 4 comments

### Mossy-paws commented on 2024-07-08

You could poke holes in the sand? I’m not a plant expert but maybe

### send\_nodes commented on 2024-07-08

Yes the sand can definitely hold in moisture, so good idea using the moisture meter :)  
How long after watering is the soil staying wet?

#### Jack\_R replied on 2024-07-08

It’s only been a week

### Dave\_opuntiaface commented on 2024-07-08

The sand looks very fine, which will hold the moisture, yes.

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