gnats, fungus gnats





FUNGUS GNATS
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gnats, fungus gnats

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General Information

Identification and Biology

Damage

Recommended Control Measures 		  General Information

  • These gnats are first noticed around lights both inside and outside.
    Adults are attracted to lights and are often first noticed at windows.

  • Fungus gnats do not bite.
    They are completely harmless, except they are an annoyance by their presence.

  • When they are numerous, look for damp soil and moisture problems.
    When there is persistent infestation inside, it indicates an indoor breeding site.

    This site may occur indoors with house plants or in slow-running drains, moisture-accumulating cracks and crevices, refrigerator drain pans, and other places where fungi and slime accumulate.

    Identification and Biology

    Adult fungus gnats are about 1/8 to 1/10 inch long, black, slender, mosquito-like. They have long slender legs with long wings.
    Adults live about 7 to 10 days and deposit eggs on the moist soil surface or in soil cracks.

    Fungus gnats reproduce in moist, shaded areas in decaying organic matter such as leaf litter.

    After the eggs are laid, larvae emerge feeding on fungi.
    Larvae or maggots are legless, thread-like, white, shiny black headed, up to 1/4 inch long and transparent.
    Food in the gut can be seen through the body wall in the larvae.
    Pupae occur in silk-like cocoons in the soil. After a few days of pupating, the adults emerge to continue the cycle.
    The life cycle is about four weeks, with continuous reproduction in homes or greenhouses where warm temperatures are maintained.



    Damage

  • Larvae not only feed on fungi and decaying organic matter, but on living plant tissue, particularly root hairs and small feeder roots.
    Brown scars may appear on the chewed roots. The underground parts of the stem may be injured and root hairs eaten off. Damage occurs most often in greenhouses or plant beds.

  • Plant symptoms may appear as poor growth, yellowing and foliage loss, or sudden wilting.







    Recommended Control Measures

  • Locate all possible breeding sites, for complete control these sites must be eliminated.

  • Inspect plants carefully before purchase for signs of insect infestation.

  • Reduce moisture in the soil to reduce fungus.
    Allow potting soil to dry between water applications.
    Over watering, water leaks and poor drainage may result in buildup of fungus gnats.

    House plants taken outside during warm weather may become infested with insects before being brought back indoors.

  • Electronic fly traps will attract and kill adult gnats at night.
    However for complete control the breeding site needs to be eliminated.

    VECTOR BIO-5 MULTI-PURPOSE DRAIN CLEANER  is used in drains to break down any organic buildup.
    Regular use keeps drain lines free of organic matter that acts as a food source and egg laying area for drain flies

  • An aerosol such as pyrethrin may be used to control the adult gnats. One such aerosol is called CB-80 However, this treatment has to be repeated to catch all of the gnats as they emerge and does not usually result in complete control.