Guide

Have the fungus gnats disappeared?

16.3.2020

Translation: machine translated

Ten days ago I watered my houseplant, which was besieged by fungus gnats, with Solbac. Now the day of reckoning has come: Are the critters really gone?

A week and a half ago, I tackled our fungus gnat problem in the office. Our Aglaonema was literally enveloped by the pests. I didn't get very far with home remedies and I didn't want to repot them, so I tried a Solbac tablet in the water. The biological toxin triggers a fatal intestinal disease in the mosquito larvae, other organisms are not harmed.

Guide
Fungus gnat infestation: What helps against the plant pests
by Carolin Teufelberger

Now, after ten days, the critters are still not gone, but it has helped nonetheless. Since I carried out the treatment a week and a half ago, fewer mosquitoes have arrived. The population has therefore become smaller. The midges are no longer buzzing around my head. To ensure that there are no more to be seen in the pot and on the plant, I repeat the treatment once again. I mix another tablet with a litre of water. If that doesn't work either, I use nematodes. Many of you have had good experiences with nematodes, as you have told me in the comments column. The 0.1 millimetre nematodes penetrate the larvae and release a bacterium that leads to death within a short time.

The Aglaonema brings clean air, but unfortunately also fungus gnats.

Solbac definitely helps against fungus gnats, even if it might not be enough in one application. I should also mention that our Aglaonema was very badly infested. I can well imagine that you can get a light infestation under control with just one treatment. <p

25 people like this article

Carolin Teufelberger

Editor

carolin.teufelberger@digitecgalaxus.ch

My life in a nutshell? On a quest to broaden my horizon. I love discovering and learning new skills and I see a chance to experience something new in everything – be it travelling, reading, cooking, movies or DIY.

Arts and crafts

Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest

Garden

Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest

Plants

Follow topics and stay updated on your areas of interest

Guide

Practical solutions for everyday problems with technology, household hacks and much more.

Show all

These articles might also interest you

Guide
Fungus gnat infestation: What helps against the plant pests
by Carolin Teufelberger
Guide
Plant care tips from the expert
by Pia Seidel
Background information
How fungus gnats get into soil
by Darina Schweizer