Fungus gnats spend the majority of their lives in the larval and pupal stages. During their larval stage, they appear translucent and worm-like, with a black marking on their head. As larvae, they live in soil and feed on the roots of plants and seedlings. It’s common for fungus gnats to move indoors if you bring outdoor plants in for the winter. Therefore, fall is a common time for these pests to enter as home. As adults, fungus gnats are very small and are often confused with fruit flies or mosquitoes. They only grow up to 1/8th of an inch and are dark gray or black. On their smokey-colored wings is a Y-shaped pattern.
How Fungus Gnats Get Inside And What Is Attracting Them
There are a few things that may be attracting fungus gnats to your property and bringing them into your home:
- Fungus gnats are attracted to moist, dark places. It’s common to find them in damp mulch, compost piles, woodpiles, or decomposing debris in your yard.
- Water damage in your home is attractive to fungus gnats.
- Damp wood, drywall, or roofs could house these pests.
- Adults are attracted to bright lights and can get inside as they follow these lights.
Now that you know how these pests get in, what do you do? First, let's understand the problems they can cause in our homes.
Problems Fungus Gnats Cause
Fungus gnats become a problem when they choose to make their home in your garden or inside your house. While they do not pose any dangers to humans, as they do not bite, sting, or carry diseases, they can still be a nuisance.
It’s common for fungus gnats to congregate around windows, doors, and lamps to be near the light that streams in. When their larvae begin feeding on the roots of your plants, the result is wilting plants and root rot, causing your plants to die.
Steps You Can Take To Prevent Fungus Gnats:
- Place screens and seal any holes.
- Avoid overwatering and allow plants to completely dry between watering.
- Repair leaks and replace wood that has been damaged by water.
- Fungus gnats live in moist areas, so take steps to reduce and remove these areas within your home and around your property.
- Standing water should be eliminated as best as possible.
- Clean up debris piles and try not to over-fertilize your plants.
Why Call Aiken For A Gnat Problem
If you have a fungus gnat infestation, turn to Aiken Pest Control! We’ve been serving homes in our area for over 50 years. Our team will customize a pest control plan that works for you and your home, taking care of pests both inside and out. You will no longer need to worry about what’s inside your home and what damage may occur. Let our technicians inspect your home and get rid of your fungus gnats. If a problem arises between service visits, we'll come back to re-treat for free.