Combating indoor plant pests: Effective homemade remedies against fungus gnats

Fungus gnats often appear in indoor plants due to overwatering. These tiny, black insects may be mistaken for fruit flies, but they're fungus gnats. While the adults do not harm our plants, their eggs can harm roots, thus making the whole plant more susceptible to fungal and bacterial diseases. Therefore, it's best to act quickly.

So how do you get rid of fungus gnats? Certainly, special treatments available in gardening stores can be used. However, for those who prefer not to use expensive or chemical treatments, there is an equally effective homemade solution.

To rid the soil of gnats, you can use strong chamomile tea. Pour 2 cups of water over nine bags of chamomile tea, cover the brew and let it steep until it cools down. After that, squeeze out the tea bags and water your plant. This should be done every 10-14 days to effectively eliminate eggs and larvae.

Another home remedy for dealing with fungus gnats is a garlic brew. Simply take a head of garlic, peel the cloves, and pour about 2 cups of boiling water over them. Cover the garlic-infused water and wait for it to cool down. Dilute the solution with half a gallon of still water and then water your plants every two weeks. This method requires several treatments to wipe out the fungus gnats. However, the smell of the brew could be a potential downside.

Essential oils, particularly cinnamon, offer an alternative remedy. Mix 20 drops of oil with a cup of lukewarm water and spray the mixture on the gnats. While this method only works on adult gnats, it's also worth trying.