Succulents are beautiful plants that can add a touch of greenery to any space. However, they are sometimes plagued by gnats, tiny flying insects that can be a nuisance for both the plants and the people caring for them. If you’re struggling with a gnat infestation on your succulents, don’t worry – there are several effective ways to get rid of them. In this article, we’ll share some tips on how to get rid of gnats on succulents once and for all.
We have covered the following sub-topics in this article:
- Where do Gnats come from and why are they attracted to Succulent plants?
- How to Get Rid of Gnats using effective traps
- How to get rid of gnats fast?
- How to remove gnats with cinnamon?
- Why do gnats fly in your face?
- Where do gnats come from?
- Where do gnats go at night?
- Where do gnats lay eggs?
You are watering these precious little plants. Lots of grey and black flies emerge in the form of clouds & get up your nose.
Ewww… how annoying!
You try to examine what they are! Gnats.
You find that there’s trouble in paradise. In the blink of an eye, many questions start to hit your mind. You realize these are gnats
Where do Gnats come from? Why are they attracted to Succulent plants?
Well, gnats mostly come from eggs laid in almost unripe fruits. Later on, the larvae start eating that fruit to grow once it rots. Ultimately, they find places like windows and doors to enter your home.
The main reason for the entrance of these uninvited species is their affection for incorrect soil and overwatered plants.
Now, you’re in search of the techniques you should employ to kick them out of your house without harming your succulents.
The good news is that they will not damage the plants. Another point of relief is that they are super easy to get rid of—with the right strategies.
Like spider mites and mealybugs, they are difficult to find. But once you notice them eating the roots of your succulent, you can perceive things more conveniently.
Remember that a gnat infestation can damage or even kill the plants if you don’t take the right measures to take care of them and prevent it from growing.
To help you with this, I’ve written up this detailed guide to help you get rid of gnats without putting in so much effort.
How to Get Rid of Gnats on Succulents – Treating Succulents with Effective Methods
Adult fungus gnats live just for a week. I know that seems like a relief, but it’s not!
This is because they lay up to 300 eggs in the soil of your plant.
For fungal gnats, there are some incredible ways can help you control this infestation.
Method #1 – Using Effective Traps to get rid of Gnats
Gnats eat nearly anything, and the best and fastest way to kill adults is by placing strong traps around your house. Chemical and flypaper gnat traps are ideal for dragging all adult gnats away from the plants.
However, they may not look pleasing in your living room.
If you don’t want to go with this option, it can be a good decision to use LED rechargeable insect traps. This is because they use a combination of fans and colored lights to attract flying insects.
As a result, such devices catch flying insects & keep them there. What a long-term and effective solution if you do not have air conditioning! Isn’t it?
Couldn’t find any trap in the market? Make a DIY Gnat trap!
How to make a homemade DIY Gnat Trap
Follow these simple steps to make a useful trap:
- To make a gnat trap at home, pour vinegar or apple cider vinegar and a pinch of sugar into a bowl.
- Now, add 3 to 4 drops of quality liquid dish soap.
- Stir the mixture.
- Place the container near the pot or simply on the top of the soil.
- Replace this bowl every three days.
- And yes, you’re all set!
This is undeniably the most effective and easiest solution for killing gnats in a short time.
Method #2 – Anti-Larval killer to get rid of Gnats fast
Killing gnats and their larvae is also possible with some useful chemicals.
In fact, many gardeners suggest using diatomaceous earth, which is an abrasive substance to kill pests.
It is undeniably an effective abrasive power that works amazingly without hurting the plants.
However, there’s only one drawback to this method!
This is only applicable if your soil is completely dry.
Instead, consider killing them with a hydrogen peroxide spray or neem oil, with some drops of oil per tablespoon of water, or spray directly onto the plants.
You will need to keep doing this until you notice that the gnats are gone.
Method #3 – Keep Your Soil Dry to keep Gnats away
STOP WATERING YOUR PLANT BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE!!
Gnats are highly attracted to moisture. Therefore, an overwatered succulent is the main target.
These gnats can exist only in moist environments with organic matter in the soil. This is because that is where the little maggots live unless they hatch into adults.
Never water them again until the soil is entirely dry.
Make sure to soak it. Always!
Infrequent heavy watering is actually the key here. Follow a good watering schedule to prevent gnats on succulents beforehand.
Method #4 – Dish Soap Spray to get rid of Gnats
This is one of the famous at-home remedies to treat gnats on succulents.
Well, it may not be as fruitful as the methods of traps I have mentioned earlier. But that does not mean it is useless and won’t work.
If you’re on a budget, using dish soap spray is the best thing you can do in this situation.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Combine a tablespoon of liquid dish soap carefully with a quart of water. This will create almost a 2% solution.
- After that, pour it into a specific spray bottle.
- Now, it’s time to apply it to every stem and leaf before you apply it to the whole succulent.
This will ensure that the gnats will not grow anymore. Simply put, you’ll not have to face any long-term damage.
Method #5 – Add Cinnamon to get rid of Gnats naturally
Cinnamon is not only perfect for making bread delicious. It is an all-natural method and a powerful natural fungicide that kills off the gnats’ primary food source.
When it comes to succulent protection, it acts as a cure-all ingredient.
Just sprinkle it liberally around the base of the affected plant on the soil. Alternatively, you can also pop a cinnamon stick directly into the soil.
And be ready to see the MAGIC!
To use it appropriately, remember that you need to dampen the cinnamon. This will keep the wind from blowing it away before showing its results.
Above all, it is super convenient to use. All that’s left for you is to wait and see the problem subsiding.
Note: Consider cleaning out the succulent’s current home and re-pot it with another soil mixture. If you don’t do this, it will not kill all the gnats that are present deep down in that soil.
Even after acknowledging and following the methods properly, some people still get confused about why these gnats came to their homes and harmed their plants.
Conclusion
Getting rid of gnats on succulents requires a combination of preventive measures and treatment options.
By keeping the soil dry, avoiding overwatering, and maintaining good drainage, you can prevent the buildup of moisture that attracts gnats.
In this guide, we have uncovered the easiest and most practical strategies you can use to protect succulents from damage caused by these irritating species and ensure their healthy growth and longevity.
Like all other pests, gnats are something you can easily chase away with a little extra effort. Your cute succulents will thank you for it!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are gnats attracted to lights?
Adult gnats are extremely attracted to light. In fact, you’ll find them mostly flying around lamps and in windows.
What are gnats attracted to when it comes to killing them?
Using vinegar traps is the best way to kill them. This includes setting a small bowl near the infestation & pouring a teaspoon of dish soap, apple cider vinegar, and a teaspoon of sugar into the bowl. The included sugar will attract so many gnats, and the dish soap will prevent them from escaping. Vinegar, as a result, kills them in it.
Why do gnats fly in your face?
Gnats are always looking for salt and moisture found in tears and sweat. Unfortunately, these pests are vectors for pink eye. Plus, they are drawn to the bad breath smell, and the carbon dioxide people release while exhaling.
Where do gnats come from?
Gnats, in general, come from laid eggs in unripe fruits. Once the specific fruit rots, the larvae eat it to grow into adults. They also enter your home through a window or open door and grow plenty of eggs in potting soil.
Where do gnats go at night?
These small species are active during the day, especially around dusk and mid-morning. At night, they often hide in rotten fruit, trash cans, or any damp places. You will also find them near drains, toilets, and sinks.
Where do gnats lay eggs?
Particular egg-laying sites where they love to lay eggs include poorly cleaned garbage disposals, recycle containers, garbage cans, and dirty drain lines where “organic slime” accumulates.