If you’ve ever started a veggie garden from seed, like me, and suddenly noticed tiny gnats hovering around your pots, you’re not alone.
These are fungus gnats, and yes -frustratingly -they can show up even when you use fresh, bagged soil from the store. That’s because commercial potting mixes often contain organic material that stays moist, creating the perfect environment for dormant gnat eggs or larvae to hitch a ride.
They don’t come from your home; they come with the soil.
The good news is that fungus gnats are mostly a nuisance. Adult gnats don’t harm plants, but their larvae can nibble on tender young roots, slowing growth in seedlings.
After a google search, I learned that putting a small bowl of water with a splash or two of apple cider vinegar will attract the gnats to the bowl where they will get stuck and drown. I tried it - I have 7 gnats floating around already.
With a little patience, your seedlings will bounce back and thrive.
(I wish I learned this earlier since it's time to put them in the ground - but next year - I'll know!)
Comments(9)