Have you seen tiny insects flying around your Pelion, SC home, but are unsure if they are fruit flies, mosquitoes, or some other insect? The best way to tell what type of insect infestation you’re dealing with is by understanding what pests look like and how they behave. Today we are focusing on fungus gnats.
What Do Fungus Gnats Look Like?
Fungus gnats look different depending on what stage of life they are in. These tiny flies are common home-invading insects that spend most of their lives in the larval and pupal stages instead of adulthood. As larvae, fungus gnats appear like translucent worms with a black marking near their heads. These tiny larvae live in the soil and feed on plants, roots, and seeds. In most cases, fungus gnat infestations begin when a homeowner brings young potted plants indoors for the fall and winter.
If fungus gnat larvae are living in the soil of those outdoor plants, it won’t take long for them to grow into adults and start causing a nuisance in your home. Adult fungus gnats are delicate dark-colored flies that are about ⅛ of an inch in size. They have long legs and antennae, as well as smokey-colored wings with a distinctive y-pattern on them.
Problems Fungus Gnats Cause
Fungus gnats are usually only a problem once they are brought into a home as larvae, however, they can still be an issue in a lawn as well. When fungus gnats are in their larval stage, it’s common for them to feed on the roots and seedlings of plants, which can cause those plants to wilt and eventually die. While these irritating insects can be a problem for your garden and plants, they pose no real threat to your physical well-being. Fungus gnats don’t bite, sting, or transmit diseases, which means they are essentially harmless to your health. Unfortunately, fungus gnats reproduce rapidly, which means even a small infestation can become a large one within a short period.
Fungus Gnat Prevention Tips
Keeping fungus gnats out of your Pelion, SC home can be difficult, especially considering all infestations begin with larvae that are hidden beneath the soil of plants. However, there are several steps you can take to prevent these irritating insects from entering your home. The first thing you can do to keep fungus gnats away from your home is to understand what could be attracting them in the first place. Fungus gnats are attracted to damp, dark, and moist places, such as rotting organic matter, woodpiles, and compost bins. Excess moisture is also attractive to fungus gnats.
Now that you know what could attract fungus gnats to your Pelion, SC property, here are a few steps you can take to keep them away from and out of your home:
- Remove sources of still or standing water.
- Clean up piles of wood, leaves, or other debris from your lawn.
- Avoid over-fertilizing your plants.
- Replace water-damaged wood.
- Repair leaking pipes and fixtures.
- Ensure your window screens are intact or replace them if you find tears.
- Avoid over-watering your plants so they can dry completely between watering.
Fungus gnat infestations are not fun to deal with, especially without the help of a licensed pest control professional. At Aiken Pest Control, we provide customizable home pest control plans to ensure your home stays free of pests year-round. Trust the pest technicians here at Aiken Pest Control to take care of your fungus gnat problems. We will ensure your Pelion, South Carolina home is treated for existing pest problems and protected against future pest infestation.