How do you safely get rid of bugs that lay eggs in the soil of houseplants?

Question

I have three large potted houseplants that my mother gave me. During the summer I keep them out in our gazibo in the back yard, but during the winter I bring them inside so they don't freeze. Every year when I do, I get these tiny gnats hatching out of the soil. I believe I heard there is something I can put in the soil that will kill the eggs, but not harm the plant. Does anyone know the name of this? A non toxic or home remedy would be even better, since I have a toddler that roams freely in the only room that I can keep them in over the winter. I have no idea what kind of plants they are.

I keep close eye on the plants and am careful not to over water or allow mold in the pots and I don't believe there is any significant decay going on, are these fungus gnats still a possibility? Thank you for the great answers so far!

Answer 1

Sevin dust will work but it is a toxic chemical.

If you prefer a non-chemical approach that is non-toxic as well then Diatomaceous Earth is what you want. It is not really earth, btw, and it is not harmful to humans or pets or plants. It will, however, kill most any bug you can mention. Anything with an exoskeleton, so that includes all your garden bugs plus ants and roaches and earwigs and white flies etc. etc.

You can get it here: http://www.perma-guard.com

I recommend them because their's is food grade. You might find it at a garden center but BE SURE that you only get a food grade. You don't want the other kind.

Answer 2

Fungus gnats are an indication of over watered soils. Allow your plants to dry out for several days. This will prevent adults from laying any more eggs in the soil, and the eggs and larvae that are already in the soil will die due to lack of water.

Another thing you might try along with allowing plants to dry would be to put some sticky cards out. They are attracted to the bright color and get stuck when they land on them. This may not be the most attractive thing, but you're not using any chemicals!

Usually, controlling the water can eliminate the problem.

If the problem is very bad, there are some products that you can use to kill off the larvae which you can purchase at a home improvement store.

Answer 3

To repel insects on house plants,put a drop of Ivory dishwashing liquid in a trigger spray bottle and fill the rest of the bottle with water, shake well, and mist the leaves and soil of your plant. If you put the plant outside,you should kill any insects on the plant before bringing them back inside.

Answer 4

They are called Fungus Gnats. I bought some stuff from the Gardens Alive website ant it worked great but I don't remember the name of the product. I'm sure you can go their website and search on Fungus Gnats to find it.

Answer 5

If there are larvae on your motor vehicle then it ought to look some style of trojan horse has planted some eggs there. maximum insects lay their eggs in a community that has a food source for his or her youthful, so perchance you should vacuum out that motor vehicle extra typically. i'd imagine any insecticide ought to artwork. notwithstanding, that's poisonous. it will be extra valuable to in common words get a extreme powered vacuum with a small attachment to suck all of them out.

Answer 6

they sound like knats.it is a tiny mosquito like insect. they are attracted to anything spoiled or molding.it may be you are over-watering or that they are standing in water. you could spray them with a 1/2 to 1/2 mixture of listerine.also you could use a systemic disinfectant like you use for roses. it is a liquid form that is applied and taken up through the root system.

Answer 7

change the soil when you bring them in the house