Fungus gnats are small, mosquito-like flies that are considered a nuisance when they appear in large numbers in and around structures. When gnats are bugging you, it’s time to call Adam’s.
Adam's licensed, Pest Management Professionals (PMP) have the proper equipment and training to safely exterminate gnats in your home. Adult fungus gnats are managed easily with properly applied insecticides. However, these chemicals are a very temporary solution unless the breeding source of the gnats can be identified correctly, removed and treated. Therefore, it is important to hire a knowledgeable professional who is trained in the identification and extermination of gnats, like Adam’s.
Adam’s will thoroughly inspect to locate possible breeding sources for fungus gnats. Once the source is removed, Adam’s will apply a proven, EPA-approved residual insecticide to cracks, and crevices and spot treat around breeding and resting places.
To manage significant infestations, Adam’s may install Insect Light Traps (ILTs) for monitoring and recommend products to eliminate algae and fungi growth which are the food source for gnat larvae.
Adam’s Pest Control has a dedicated team of representatives who are driven to protect your home or business and can answer any questions that you may have.
Fungus gnats are pests of greenhouses, nurseries, and around interior house plants. Fungus gnats are considered a nuisance by their presence in and around structures, especially when they appear in large numbers.
However, fungus gnat larvae can damage houseplants and seedlings.
Fungus gnats can be vectors for plant diseases including ones called Fusarium and Pythium, and even foliage pathogens like Botrytis.
Fungus gnat larvae may also feed on the roots of a plant, resulting in the plant becoming more susceptible to disease.
Symptoms that a plant has been damaged by fungus gnats include a sudden wilting or yellowing of the leaves, loss of vigor, and poor growth.
There will not be any visible injury to the plant above ground, but the roots will have small brown scars or the small feeding roots and root hairs will have been eaten off.
Plants prone to injury by fungus gnats include: geraniums, African violets, carnations, and poinsettias.
Fungus gnats come into your home attracted to light.
Fungus gnats are also attracted to moisture like under wet sinks, near leaky roofs or leaking water pipes, and in indoor plants that have been over-watered or have poor drainage systems.
Additionally, fungus gnats can survive in damp new construction materials and outdoors in moist, shaded areas that have decaying organic matter such as leaf litter, compost piles, grass clippings, feces, etc.
Fungus gnat larvae feed on fungi and decomposing organic material in soil are the main food sources for adult fungus gnats.
Fungus gnat larvae feed on the tiny root hairs of plants and on highly organic soil.
Adult female fungus gnats are particularly attracted to breeding areas that have rich, organic materials and high moisture content -- precisely the conditions of indoor potted plants.
Females lay up to 100 to 300 eggs in 2 to 30 batches in decaying organic matter on the moist soil surface or in soil cracks.
Eggs hatch in 4 to 6 days
Fungus gnat larvae feed for 12 to 14 days on fungi and decaying organic matter, root hairs, and small feeder roots.
The pupal stage is completed in about 5 to 6 days.
Newly emerged adult fungus gnats live about 7 to 10 days.
At room temperatures between 65°F to 75°F, the fungus gnats complete their life cycle in 3-4 weeks, with continuous reproduction where warm temperatures are available.
There are many overlapping generations per year.
Some mushrooms mimic flowers to attract fungus gnats and pollinators, which help in spreading the spores to another mushroom (Dentinger et al., 2010).).
All of the many species of fungus gnats are categorized into just two families: the Mycetophilidae or Sciaridae.
Fungus gnats are closely related to mosquito.
South American Pleurothallid orchids have very tiny flowers, which are pollinated by a very tiny species of gnats.
Because of their appearance, black flies are called buffalo gnats. These flies are real biters; while fungus gnats cannot bite as their mouthparts are not suited for piecing and sucking blood.
The swarm of gnats you accidentally walked through was a large group of male gnats called a “ghost”, swarming around a female, hoping to be her mate.