--- title: "Im having a hard time getting rid of these little gnats living in the…" description: "Im having a hard time getting rid of these little gnats living in the soil of my bird of paradise. There are *a lot*. I’ve been using an organic pest spray for…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/yJ9FTwF8hhiixc9rZ7j9g0?language=nb" community: "Pests, diseases and problems" author: "Mal" published: "2025-04-17T00:50:53.361791Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/QToh1Or7VIGvPjVtJ4disPiM9-3bieSPU6xjp2pGyOM/G7S-RbGfQyKNqXdvpPWYEQ.webp?size=large" --- [Fellesskap](https://getplanta.com/community.md?language=nb) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md?language=nb) # Im having a hard time getting rid of these little gnats living in the… _Lagt ut av Mal den 2025-04-17_ Im having a hard time getting rid of these little gnats living in the soil of my bird of paradise. There are \*a lot\*. I’ve been using an organic pest spray for a week or so but it doesn’t seem to be changing anything. Any advice? Also, she’s pretty droopy and the edges of some of the leaves have started to brown and turn up. The splits were there when I got it in January but it hasn’t gotten much better. I recently moved it to the sunroom and I hope that makes a difference. In conclusion- HELP. 😅 ![Vedlegg 1 av 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/QToh1Or7VIGvPjVtJ4disPiM9-3bieSPU6xjp2pGyOM/G7S-RbGfQyKNqXdvpPWYEQ.webp?size=large) ## 14 kommentarer ### Michael kommenterte den 2025-04-17 I have the same problem... let the plant dry out and start bottom watering. The roots will take what they need. I also just bought this and put it in my water. ![Vedlegg 1 av 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/IpVCSqufGCtnGZMH6ZPIyjyufJy-XoEht1T1uWMzmxk/sskNLlbLTqGMOKM4mSveUA.webp?size=large) #### sophiagot svarte den 2025-04-17 This is my holy grail. I make a “tea” with the recommended amount sitting in water from 30-60 min. Then I strain the solution (because the corn bits turn moldy very quickly) and then I use that solution to water my plants. Works like a charm! I also use a UV light to trap adult fungus gnats to help speed things along. ### Michael kommenterte den 2025-04-17 I have the same problem... let the plant dry out and start bottom watering. The roots will take what they need. I also just bought this and put it in my water. ![Vedlegg 1 av 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/IpVCSqufGCtnGZMH6ZPIyjyufJy-XoEht1T1uWMzmxk/FV9vmYNYQ8a3H-WGixSQ8w.webp?size=large) #### Mal svarte den 2025-04-17 Thank you! #### KJM svarte den 2025-04-17 You don't need to put the mosquito bites in water. If they are similar to mosquito dunks you just crumble it up and put the bits on the top of the pot and scritch it in with a fork. Also use a yellow sticky trap to capture adults. The adults don't harm the plant but the larvae can. This way you would attack the gnats from both ends of the life cycle. ### Alex 🌿 kommenterte den 2025-04-17 Peppermint oil has done the trick for me #### Mal svarte den 2025-04-17 Thanks! ### Ashley kommenterte den 2025-04-17 I sometimes use neem oil. It kind of smells a bit but it’s been very effective on my plants. They are all succulents though. ### kokio kommenterte den 2025-04-17 3% hydrogen peroxide with water \& water the top of your plant with it. stay consistent for a few weeks. works well for me! ### KJM kommenterte den 2025-04-17 Although the leaf splitting can be disturbing, I believe it is somewhat normal for a bird of paradise. ### Michael kommenterte den 2025-04-17 Just don't forget your sticky trap on the floor and run your robot vacuum 😳. Regular vegetable oil soak even saved the brushes!!! Just a PSA because of my stupidity ### TheTreeFrog kommenterte den 2025-04-17 Buy yourself a sundew. But seriously if you live in the south there's a population boom of them this year. You'll be fighting them all summer. My new sundew and pitcher plant are doing wonders to keep the numbers low. They'll eat well this season! ### Yolanda kommenterte den 2025-04-17 They have laid fungus eggs I’m sure in that soil I would repot in fresh soil, clean the pot really good if you plan on using it again ### Carrie kommenterte den 2025-04-17 I’ve had success with Knock-Out-Gnats. I think the company I order it from is Gardens Alive. It lasts and anytime I repot a plant I use this. ![Vedlegg 1 av 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/3_K216BkhpQW_SgvVsxIBkPKGzqXjY50VC3Cou5yZr0/lpwsldk2Q4GTN6_WZXGs8w.webp?size=large) --- _Planta-fellesskapet (https://getplanta.com). Lesing er åpen for alle. For å poste, kommentere og like, skaff deg Planta-appen: https://getplanta.com/download_