Fungus Gnats on pothos
What's Happening
Fungus gnat (Bradysia spp.) infestations in pothos arise from perpetually moist soil surface conditions where larvae feed on organic matter and root hairs. Adult gnats lay eggs in the top 1-2 inches of soil; continuous moisture from overwatering or poor drainage creates ideal breeding habitat. Pothos tolerance for drier conditions makes chronic moisture both unnecessary and problematic.
How to Fix It
- 1
Cease watering immediately and allow soil to dry to depth of 2-3 inches
- 2
Apply thin layer of food-grade diatomaceous earth or ground cinnamon to soil surface
- 3
Place yellow sticky traps at soil level to capture emerging adults
- 4
Water only when soil is dry—gnat larvae cannot survive dry conditions
- 5
Repeat DE application weekly until gnats disappear (typically 3-4 weeks)
How to Prevent It
Allow top 2-3 inches of soil to dry completely between waterings; use well-draining potting mix with 30%+ perlite content; apply 1/4 inch layer of coarse sand or diatomaceous earth on soil surface to block egg-laying; deploy yellow sticky traps to monitor and capture adults; maintain proper pot sizing to avoid excess moisture retention.
Related Problems
Same Problem on Other Plants
Go Deeper
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