Any home remedies for getting rid of gnats in my house plants?

Question

I have tried letting the plants dry out between waterings, I have tried setting out vinegar and soapy water, but I can not get them to go away! Is there anything natural I can put in the soil or spray on the plant? I have two cats, so I don't want to use any chemicals.

Answer 1

that´s the problem , between watering , don´t water them at all for a week, or put them outside if you can , they will dry out quicker, as they love wet soil, and dead root´s. The soil in the middle of the plant is still wet. and that´s why you can´t get rid of them, If you have plant´s in the kitchen, make sure you put the stopper in the sink, this way it will stop them from having a drink, And dry out the plants. Hope this helps

Answer 2

mix a small amount of dawn dish soap one or two drops with water and water plant. The taste drives them away. then you can take a glass and put a piece of fruit in the bottom cover with a piece of foil with tiny holes poked in it to catch and release the bugs out side. They go in and cant get back out . Don't leave too long without checking.

Answer 3

Gnats only come around for a reason .... fruit inside house sitting out, coffee grounds saved in a can for compost, .... gnats are fruit flies. Get rid of the fruit and you get rid of the flies. PS>...rotting potatoes and/or onions will attrat them also. Good luck, Goldwing

Answer 4

I don't know if this is exactly what you're looking for, but if you put bleach in a bottle cap and hide it in the plant, the gnats won't stay around it. They don't like the aroma of bleach. Then, the bleach will crystalize and you just refill it! You just need a little bit, and maybe if you hide it well, your cats won't find it.

Answer 5

every day, put a few slices of potato on the suface of the soil... the females will lay eggs there... You must remove them daily and dispose of them!!!.... and put back another bunch of slices each time..... then, get some yellow posterboard... cover it tightly with saran wrap, then smear the plastic wrap with Vaseline.... it makes a sticky trap for the flying adults... when theres' bugs on it, just remove the plastic, put new on and new vaseline..... or go for an insecticide like mentioned here...

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2114.html

Answer 6

Well I make cigarette tea, this kills the spider mites in my plants and also the knats. two cigarettes torn apart, leaf only.
Add one quart of water (hot) and let it steep over night. Spray

Answer 7

change the soil. :o)