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Keep them out with these plants I finally got rid of fruit flies in my kitchen with this simple upgrade — and it only costs $7 Gardeners urged to use mushrooms in the yard this summer — this hack will banish aphids in minutes The mosquito dunks that saved my plants (and my sanity) from fungus gnat hell are on sale for $17 this Prime Day Keep flies out of your home this summer — pair these 2 cheap household staples to deter them Fungus gnats will avoid your houseplants if you make this expert-approved 3-ingredient trap Grace Dean 25 August 2025 Keep pests at bay with these simple household items When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. Bowl of solution to trap gnats (Image credit: Shutterstock) Fungus gnats, also known as sciarid flies, are yet another pest you have to deal with, but these ones are especially interested in indoor houseplants. Their love of moist potting soil makes an ideal breeding ground for adult gnats to lay eggs and before you know it, you've got an infestation. And it's easily spotted once you see flies crawling around the soil, or flying slowly around your plants. While fungus gnats have a short lifespan, they're also great at reproducing, so just as you think the adults may be leaving your houseplants alone, their young won't. It's the larvae in fact that feeds on the roots of seedlings or decaying matter. You may like How to keep flies away from your houseplants for good — try these 7 expert tips 5 household items that are causing fruit flies to invade your home — and how to get rid of them House flies ruining your summer? Keep them out with these plants But, gardening and plants expert Calum Maddock at HomeHow.co.uk has stepped up with a solution to rid your home of fungus gnats before they destroy your houseplants forever. And while there's a range of techniques you can use, Calum has a simple method that uses ingredients you probably already have in your home. And if there's one thing I love, it's a natural pest solution that costs me nothing. How to banish fungus gnats (Image credit: Shutterstock) To banish fungus gnats from your home, it's as easy to gathering up a three ingredients you'll most likely already have in your cupboards; water, cider vinegar and washing up liquid. To create the 3-ingredient homemade trap, simply pour all three items into a jar. Maddock says this works because: "The smell of the cider vinegar draws them in, and they enter the jar. However, the washing up liquid breaks the surface tension of the liquid, so when the flies land on it, they fall into the mixture and drown". Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. So, place the jar near the affected houseplant (or make up a few if they're in different rooms) and soon enough, the trap will become your first line of attack on a fungus gnat infestation. Other expert methods (Image credit: Tom's Guide) As I mentioned briefly, there's a variety of other tried-and-tested methods that'll also help you battle the fungus gnats bothering your houseplants. If you don't want to make a homemade trap, you can also buy bright yellow sticky traps that lure the flies in and traps them. Maddock has an expert tip for using this method, though: "While some of these traps can be placed vertically, they work best when horizontal, as the flies are more likely to land on them". EZ_FAB 36-Pack Sticky Yellow Fly Traps: $4.79 at Amazon These bright yellow sticky traps lure the fungus gnats in with their color and then make them stay with their stickiness. No need for toxic substances, just pop these into the soil around your houseplants by peeling the backing off and they'll catch the gnats over a long period of time. When full or losing their stick, replace with more from this 36-pc pack. Another method is to make sure the top of the houseplant soil stays dry, either by reducing how much you water your houseplants (depending on what they can tolerate) or by watering them from underneath. For this, Maddock suggests: "Set your plant in a container or saucer of water when it looks like it needs a drink. After about 20-30 minutes, you should discard any water from the container that has not been absorbed by the plant". You can also sprinkle diatomaceous earth onto the soil, which is easily purchased from garden centers or online. Flies hate the texture of it and it'll put them off returning. In the end, you may just want to repot your houseplants altogether by throwing away the infested soil and replanting it with some fresh potting mix. "As the surface is covered by the gravel, horticultural grit or pebbles, the flies are unable to gain access to the soil to lay their eggs" And it may be worth replacing soil with pebble or gravel mulch instead, as Maddock explains: "As the surface is covered by the gravel, horticultural grit or pebbles, the flies are unable to gain access to the soil to lay their eggs". So, whether you mix up a quick trap or try something a little more drastic, it's certainly not something you have to learn to live with. More from Tom's Guide How to get rid of gnats inside your home Monstera infested with fungus gnats? So was mine — here’s how I nursed her back to health How to spot a thirsty houseplant: 7 telltale signs See more Home How-Tos Social Links Navigation Grace is a freelance journalist working across homes, lifestyle, gaming and entertainment. You'll find her writing for Tom's Guide, TechRadar, Space.com, and other sites. If she's not rearranging her furniture, decluttering her home, or relaxing in front of the latest streaming series, she'll be typing fervently about any of her much-loved hobbies and interests. To aid her writing, she loves to head down internet rabbit holes for an unprecedented amount of time. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. How to keep flies away from your houseplants for good — try these 7 expert tips 5 household items that are causing fruit flies to invade your home — and how to get rid of them House flies ruining your summer? Keep them out with these plants I finally got rid of fruit flies in my kitchen with this simple upgrade — and it only costs $7 Gardeners urged to use mushrooms in the yard this summer — this hack will banish aphids in minutes The mosquito dunks that saved my plants (and my sanity) from fungus gnat hell are on sale for $17 this Prime Day Latest in Gardening I tested this remote control lawnmower — now cutting the grass is a game, and I can't wait to do yardwork Keep aphids out of your garden with this surprising ingredient Huge Lowe’s weekend sale launches from $7 — here’s the 21 best deals I’d buy now on patio furniture, appliances and more 7 plants you should propagate this August Going on vacation? 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