Fungus Gnats: How to Get Rid of Them Naturally (For Good)

You water your monstera and a little cloud of tiny flies lifts off the soil like a scene from a very low-budget horror movie. Meet the fungus gnat — harmless to you, annoying beyond words, and surprisingly hard on your plants if you ignore them.

Know your enemy

Adult fungus gnats are just the visible tip of the problem. The real damage happens underground, where their larvae feed on organic matter — and on tender young roots. A heavy larval population can stunt seedlings and stress established houseplants. And because each female lays up to 200 eggs in moist soil, "a few gnats" becomes "a gnat situation" fast.

Step 1: Dry them out

Fungus gnat eggs and larvae need consistently moist topsoil to survive. Let the top two inches of soil dry out between waterings and you've eliminated their nursery. This alone breaks the cycle for mild infestations. (Chronically soggy soil is also the root-rot zone — see our watering guide. Two problems, one fix.)

Step 2: Trap the adults

Yellow sticky traps placed horizontally at soil level catch adults before they lay the next generation. You'll also get a satisfying visual census of how bad the problem actually is — and watch the numbers drop week over week.

Step 3: Treat the soil

For established infestations, target the larvae directly. Our Gnat Spray for Plants is made with natural, plant-derived active ingredients and targets gnats at every life stage — including the larvae living in the soil, which is where the battle is actually won. It's safe for indoor and outdoor plants when used as directed.

Step 4: Prevent the sequel

• Bottom-water when you can — it keeps the topsoil layer drier while roots drink from below.
• Use well-draining soil. Dense mixes that stay wet for a week are gnat paradise.
• Quarantine new plants for two weeks. Most infestations arrive from the nursery, hidden in the soil.
• Skip the standing water. Empty saucers after watering.

Break the moisture cycle, trap the adults, treat the larvae — and your watering routine goes back to being gnat-free. As nature intended.