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 Those tiny black flies hovering over your soil? They’re not harmless—they’re fungus gnats. These pesky bugs thrive in damp pots and annoy anyone within swatting distance. Here’s how to boot them out using safe, natural methods that actually work.

Know Your Enemy
Gnats breed in moist soil. Eggs hatch within days, larvae munch on roots, and adults lay more eggs—so drying out soil breaks the cycle.

Control Methods

1. Let the top 2 inches of soil dry before watering.
    
2. Add a sand or gravel top layer to discourage egg‑laying.
    
3. Use yellow sticky traps for adults.
    
4. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTi) drench weekly to kill larvae.
    

What Not to Do
Avoid overwatering or sealing soil with plastic—it traps moisture. Skip harsh chemicals; they’re unnecessary for indoor infestations.

Pro Tip:
Use a fan for airflow, bottom‑water seedlings, and clean saucers after every use.

With a few tweaks—dryer soil, sticky traps, and BTi—you can evict fungus gnats naturally. Your plants will thank you, and you’ll finally enjoy watering day gnat‑free.