| Appearance |
 Tiny
flies ranging from 1 mm to 1/4-inch; black or brown, with very long thin
legs and wings. |
| Habitat |
|
Rotting logs and similar fungi- and
mold-laden
settings are ideal places for gnats to breed in nature. Indoors, they
are
attracted to the soil in potted plants. When plants are overwatered,
molds in
the soil provide a breeding medium for gnats. Gnats are not dangerous
to
humans, although most people find them annoying. |
| Diet |
| Molds and fungi that thrive in damp
areas. |
| Control |
|
The key to
controlling gnats is finding the breeding
sites and then drying them out sufficiently to stop the growth of the
molds in
which gnats breed. The top inch of soil in potted plants should be
turned over
several times a day to dry it out. Plants should be watered only when
necessary
and their soil should be well-drained. Wet wood and areas that have
suffered
leaks should be replaced and/or allowed to dry thoroughly. |
