subject: Things You Need To Know Before Controlling Fungus Gnats [print this page] Taking care of plants isn't as easy as it looks. Aside from ensuring that they get the right amount of water, sunlight, and nutrients, you have to keep them from being picked on by pests. One of those insects that tend to enjoy feasting on plants is fungus gnats. So before you start looking for ways on controlling fungus gnats, the first thing you have to do is to familiarize yourself with them. After all, the best way to establish a counter attack is to know thy enemy.
Fungus Gnats - What Are They?
Fungus gnats are flies that measure about 2 1/2 millimeters long and come in a grayish color. They look like flies but instead of feasting on humans, they prey on plants. Just like flies, they too have long, slender legs and antennae which are designed to be longer than their heads. The wings that they have are transparent and come in gray as well.
What sets them apart from flies is that they don't fly that high. They often prefer to maintain a low altitude and can be found coasting around potted plants. Some of them can even be seen resting or running through the soil or leaves of the plants.
Now the good thing about these gnats is that they don't live long. Their average lifespan is about one week. However, it's long enough for them to leave around 100 to 150 eggs in your plant's soil which will hatch in just four days. So even though they die quickly, they're replaced just as fast, leaving your plant vulnerable to attacks once again.
How Much Damage Can Fungus Gnats Cost
Although they're small in stature, fungus gnats pack a punch when causing damage to plant life. First, these gnats have a tendency to be a "vector" for different plant diseases. If the word "vector" sounds foreign to you, it's actually an organism that sends out a pathogen which can start the spreading of plant diseases. So if you happen to have a plant that's infected by these insects, it can easily spread out and affect other plants found in the surrounding area.
Aside from attacking your plants' upper parts, they can also target the roots as well and cause them to rot quickly. Their larvae also have a penchant for feasting on your plants' roots as well. Once all of these things occur, expect the quality of your plants to diminish quickly.
Controlling fungus gnats can be a tough thing to do especially if you're not familiar with them. However, by getting to know more about them, you can easily devise a way to keep them from feasting on your plants.
