I love having houseplants. They bring so much to the aesthetic of my room as well as I just really enjoy taking care of them. I have them all over my house. One thing we have had an issue with from time to time is annoying pesky gnats that live in the soil of the plants. I have finally found a couple of things that have really helped to get rid of gnats in houseplant soil and I wanted to share them here in case anyone else is having an issue.
Here are 3 things you can do to get rid of gnats in houseplant soil:
1. Repot your plants
The first thing you will want to do is replant your plants with fresh quality potting soil. Clean them off well (being extremely careful with the roots) and if needed put them in a new pot that is more appropriate for the size of your plant.
Make sure you layer rocks in the bottom to help the soil drain and use the appropriate soil for the type of plant you are potting.
2. Put sand over the soil
Something you can do to help is put a layer of sand over the soil. They don’t like the sand and this helps deter and possibly get rid of them. I just used playground sand I got in a 50lb bag from Home Depot.
3. Use Neem oil spray
Using Neem oil is a great advantage. It is organic and made to kill insects, help with plant diseases, and more! You can get a bottle of it at most stores, or online. Even if you don’t want to replant or add sand, be sure to treat it with Neem oil and I think you will see a huge difference.
What have you tried?
I hope that these tips help you get rid of gnats in houseplant soil. I would love to hear what else you have tried and if it worked. Taking care of plants can be a lot of work but it is gratifying.
Easiest house plants to grow
If you are new to the houseplant game or have been working on it for a while, I wanted to share a list of some of the easiest houseplants to keep alive. These are especially great for beginners in case you are needing some ideas and want to get started as a plant parent or add more to your collection and weren’t sure what to try.
- Chinese Evergreen
- Golden Pothos
- Mona Lavender
- Wandering Tradescantia Zebrina
- Molded Wax Succulent
- Echeveria succulents
These are all plants I own and love having. They are easy to care for and look great. What are your favorite type of houseplants?
I would any other tips you have on how to get rid of gnats in houseplant soil. Leave a comment below.
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