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Fungus Gnats on fiddle leaf fig

fiddle leaf fig with fungus gnats

What's Happening

Larvae of Bradysia spp. thrive in persistently moist, organic-rich soil, pruning fine root hairs which limits the plant's ability to take up water and nutrients, leading to brown spots and drooping.

How to Fix It

  1. 1

    Deploy yellow sticky traps to capture adult gnats.

  2. 2

    Water with a 1:4 hydrogen peroxide (3%) and water solution to kill larvae on contact.

  3. 3

    Alternatively, use BTI (Mosquito Bits) soaked water for 3-4 consecutive waterings.

  4. 4

    Allow soil to dry deeper (top 3 inches) to discourage egg-laying.

How to Prevent It

Bottom-water to keep the top layer of soil dry; use a well-draining aroid mix with 30% perlite to reduce moisture retention.

Related Problems

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Frequently Asked Questions

What causes fungus gnats on my plant?
Larvae of Bradysia spp. thrive in persistently moist, organic-rich soil, pruning fine root hairs which limits the plant's ability to take up water and nutrients, leading to brown spots and drooping.
How do I fix fungus gnats?
Deploy yellow sticky traps to capture adult gnats.. Water with a 1:4 hydrogen peroxide (3%) and water solution to kill larvae on contact..
How do I prevent fungus gnats from happening again?
Bottom-water to keep the top layer of soil dry; use a well-draining aroid mix with 30% perlite to reduce moisture retention.