Oh my gosh! Are those mosquitoes swarming my lawn? Nope. Those are lawn gnats also known as fungal gnats.

Lawn gnats are just as annoying as a mosquito or any other flying inset but, fortunately, they don’t bite. They may look like little mosquitoes and act like mosquitoes, especially after it rains, but they are not mosquitoes. These flying insects have many characteristics of a mosquito. They love wet vegetation, water, moist soil, and are a very common sight in spring and fall.

These gnats can be found indoors in window sills, and in or around potted plants due to the moisture. Fungal gnat larvae feed on grass and plant root hairs and consume plenty of liquid. This is why, outdoors, you’ll see them throughout your yard. They relax on plant leaves and moist soil when they aren’t swarming with their friends.

It takes less than 3 weeks from the time the female lays her eggs to the time it reaches adulthood. Females lay eggs in moist areas like potted plants, grass, mulch, and leaf litter. Once the eggs hatch in 72 hours, they begin feeding for 10 days on root hairs before entering their pupa stage. This is where they spend several days before emerging as an adult.

How to reduce fungal gnats:

  1. Keep lawn clean. Clean up all leaf litter, decaying matter, and lawn debris.
  2. Don’t overwater!
  3. Eliminate any standing water. Aerate soil for better water absorption.
  4. Check lawn, gardens, flowerbeds, and potted plants for excess water.

See #2 again. Don’t overwater!

  1. Repair leaks.
  2. Apply sticky trap tape to a stick and place in or around potted plants, gardens and flowerbeds. This helps capture gnats.
  3. Peeled potato cubes placed in potted plants attract and kill gnats. Replace cubes every 2-3 days.
  4. Hire a professional.

Professionals can treat for these gnats. To help reduce and eliminate fungal gnats, administering mosquito and lawn insect treatments are beneficial to the control of an infestation. Contact Safe Earth Pest Control for all your pest control needs. 214-321-2847