Unlike hydrogen peroxide, neem oil solutions kill both larvae and fungus gnats and thereby speed up the process of eliminating the pests for good. To create a neem oil spray, simply mix a teaspoon of dish detergent with a gallon of water and two tablespoons of neem oil.
Dilute 2.5ml hydrogen peroxide and 3 drops of neem oil to a 7500ml spray bottle to spray leaves. 2.5ml ammonia and 2.5ml neem oil once a week for pest control in spray bottle.
Additionally, hydrogen peroxide acts as an insecticide, killing the fungus gnats on contact. To get rid of fungus gnats, mix a solution of one part hydrogen peroxide with four parts water. Pour the mixture onto the soil around the infested plant.
Neem oil spray can be effective against a variety of plant-destroying insects. But unless you really, really soak the top 3 inches of the soil, it won't kill all the fungus gnat larvae. At best, it seems to weigh down the flying adults enough that they're easier to swat.
Neem oil won't kill all of the bugs on contact, so it might take a few days, weeks, or even months for them to disappear from the plant. The best part is that it only kills the ones that eat plants, so it won't harm beneficial insects!
Neem oil is superb when used as a preventative and very effective in eliminating infestations. The great news is that it targets major pests like spider mites, mealy bugs, aphids, and fungus gnats. Neem oil also prevents fungal problems in the soil when applied as a soil drench!
The hydrogen peroxide and water mixture will foam and fizz a little when it comes into contact with the growing medium, but that is normal. It will kill fungus gnat larvae on contact. After a few minutes, the fizzing will stop, and the hydrogen peroxide breaks down into harmless oxygen and water molecules.
Water your plant with a mixture of one part hydrogen peroxide and four parts water. The solution will kill the larvae, but is harmless to your plant. Reapply the hydrogen peroxide solution once a week until you see that the fungus gnats are gone.
Allow the upper portion of the growing medium to dry out for a day or two before applying hydrogen peroxide. Mix 4:1 ratio of water to 3% hydrogen peroxide. Pour this mixture into the growing medium of every plant that has or potentially could have fungus gnats or their larvae.
Neem oil is a natural pesticide that's pressed out of the seeds of neem trees. Just like hydrogen peroxide, neem oil can be diluted with water. Unlike hydrogen peroxide, neem oil solutions kill both larvae and fungus gnats and thereby speed up the process of eliminating the pests for good.
NEEM OIL APPLICATION TIPS
Avoid using in harsh sunlight to prevent foliage burn. Apply early in the morning or late in the day. Make sure that foliage is thoroughly coated to effectively treat pests or diseases. Don't use during extreme cold or hot temperatures.
If you use a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide on the foliage of the plant you run the risk of burning it. You could burn the roots, but since it's necessary to kill the root rot-causing bacteria, it's a risk worth taking.
Yes, disposing of the top 2-inch layer of potting soil is an important aspect of getting rid of fungus gnats. Replace that soil with new, sterile potting mix suited to the particular plant, and consider topping it with a half-inch of sand or diatomaceous earth to make the plant less hospitable to the bugs..
Mix four parts water with one part hydrogen peroxide and spray down your soil. Fungus gnats are annoying, but they're no match for a plant parent with a plan.
Fungus gnat larvae usually are located in the top 2 to 3 inches of the soil, depending on moisture level, and primarily feed on plant roots, fungi, and decaying plant matter. Gnats are not strong fliers and emerge from soil when disturbed.
Make the natural habitat inhospitable. This means drying out the soil they live in because fungus gnat larvae need moist soil. If you let it dry out completely before your next watering, it will get rid of the gnats in the soil and discourage new adults from laying their eggs.
Attracted to damp soil, fungus gnats usually get into homes by flying inside or from infested houseplants brought inside the house. Fungus gnats infest soil and feed upon decaying or damaged plant roots as well as fungi found in the soil.
Jason recommends spraying the soil with diluted neem oil to deal with the larvae. Soak the top 5-10cm of the soil with your neem oil spray about once a week for at least two months (or for one month after you stop seeing the flying adults).
Using too much neem oil can cause leaves to burn if they are exposed to direct sunlight for a prolonged period. You should also avoid using neem oil on young or small plants, as it may be too strong for their roots and buds.
Neem oil spray
Spray the soil of the houseplant with diluted neem oil to take down the baby gnat larvae. Wet the top 5-10cm of potting mix using neem oil every week for two months or until the flying adults disappear. Make sure you don't overwater your plant while applying neem oil spray to your houseplants.