What Is Fungus Gnats?

Typical Definition:
Fungus Gnat is a small, delicate fly whose larvae feed chiefly on fungi.
Through their possession of antifreeze proteins they can tolerate winter weather. Typically, overwintering organisms can either avoid freezing or tolerate freezing.

The Origin:
of the families Sciaridae, Diadocidiidae, Ditomyiidae, Keroplatidae, Bolitophilidae, and Mycetophilidae; they comprise six of the seven families placed in the superfamily Sciaroidea

Causes:
They are particularly attracted to damp soil that is rich in organic matter. they can be a problem for houseplants and greenhouse plants. Plants damaged by fungus gnats may show signs of wilting and be more susceptible to root rot.

Sources:

Fungus Gnats Biology and Habits: Gnats reproduce in decaying organic matter that is moist and shaded, Because the larvae feed on fungus growing in the soil and moist organic matter. 

Life Span:
The adults live about a week, but during that time they lay hundreds of eggs in the soil of your potted plants.

Fungus Gnat Bites On Humans
Fungus gnats do not bite, sting or transmit diseases to humans,
however the larvae can damage houseplants and seedlings as they feed on the roots. Occasionally, some may burrow into stems and leaves.

Fungus Gnats Looking:
The adults are 2–8 millimetres (0.079–0.315 in) long, and are occasionally pollinators of plants and carriers of mushroom spores.[citation needed] They also may carry diseases such as pythium (which causes "damping-off" to kill seedlings) on their feet

 fungus gnat vs fruit fly

Fungus Gnats are weak fliers, which means that gnats may be quite annoying to humans by flying into their faces, eyes, and noses, both indoors and outdoors. These flies are sometimes confused with drain flies.
Fungus Gnats eat fungi, decaying plant material, or plant roots, helping in the decomposition of organic matter. However some species are predatory, including those in the genus Arachnocampa of family Keroplatidae - the "glowworms" of New Zealand and Australia.

Fungus Gnat Control:
The pests control is sometimes managed by:

1. placing a layer of sand or indoor mulch on top of the soil around plants; \
2. by introducing Hypoaspis miles mites 
3. or applying the biological larvicide Bacillus thuringiensis (var. israelensis) to kill gnat larvae; 
4. by drenching the soil annually in an insecticidal soap. 
5. Hydrogen peroxide to kill fungus gnats: Hydrogen peroxide can be mixed with water and used to kill fungus gnat larvae in infected soil with a mixture of one part 3% hydrogen peroxide mixed with four parts water, then applied to the soil
6. Adults can be trapped with yellow sticky traps made of yellow card stock or heavy paper coated in an adhesive since the adults are attracted to the color yellow.
7. Since the gnats are weak fliers, fan-based traps as well as other fly-killing devices may be used to help control free-flying gnats, especially indoors.
8. There are a number of toxic and non-toxic methods of controlling sciarids and their larvae, including nematodes, diatomaceous earth, or powdered cinnamon.

Commercial greenhouses typically employ the insect growth regulator diflubenzuron for control of fungus gnats and their larvae. It is applied to infected soil and will kill fungus gnat larvae for 30-60 days from a single application. Its mechanism of action is to interfere with chitin production and deposition and it also triggers insect larvae to molt early without a properly formed exoskeleton, resulting in the death of the larvae. Although it is targeted at fungus gnat larvae, care should be taken in applying it as it is highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates. Diflubenzuron typically has no toxic effect on adults; only the larvae are affected.

Typical Definition:
Fungus Gnat is a small, delicate fly whose larvae feed chiefly on fungi.
Through their possession of antifreeze proteins they can tolerate winter weather. Typically, overwintering organisms can either avoid freezing or tolerate freezing.

The Origin:
of the families Sciaridae, Diadocidiidae, Ditomyiidae, Keroplatidae, Bolitophilidae, and Mycetophilidae; they comprise six of the seven families placed in the superfamily Sciaroidea

Causes:
They are particularly attracted to damp soil that is rich in organic matter. they can be a problem for houseplants and greenhouse plants. Plants damaged by fungus gnats may show signs of wilting and be more susceptible to root rot.

Sources:

Fungus Gnats Biology and Habits: Gnats reproduce in decaying organic matter that is moist and shaded, Because the larvae feed on fungus growing in the soil and moist organic matter. 

Life Span:
The adults live about a week, but during that time they lay hundreds of eggs in the soil of your potted plants.

Fungus Gnat Bites On Humans
Fungus gnats do not bite, sting or transmit diseases to humans,
however the larvae can damage houseplants and seedlings as they feed on the roots. Occasionally, some may burrow into stems and leaves.

Fungus Gnats Looking:
The adults are 2–8 millimetres (0.079–0.315 in) long, and are occasionally pollinators of plants and carriers of mushroom spores.[citation needed] They also may carry diseases such as pythium (which causes "damping-off" to kill seedlings) on their feet

 fungus gnat vs fruit fly

Fungus Gnats are weak fliers, which means that gnats may be quite annoying to humans by flying into their faces, eyes, and noses, both indoors and outdoors. These flies are sometimes confused with drain flies.
Fungus Gnats eat fungi, decaying plant material, or plant roots, helping in the decomposition of organic matter. However some species are predatory, including those in the genus Arachnocampa of family Keroplatidae - the "glowworms" of New Zealand and Australia.

Fungus Gnat Control:
The pests control is sometimes managed by:

1. placing a layer of sand or indoor mulch on top of the soil around plants; \
2. by introducing Hypoaspis miles mites 
3. or applying the biological larvicide Bacillus thuringiensis (var. israelensis) to kill gnat larvae; 
4. by drenching the soil annually in an insecticidal soap. 
5. Hydrogen peroxide to kill fungus gnats: Hydrogen peroxide can be mixed with water and used to kill fungus gnat larvae in infected soil with a mixture of one part 3% hydrogen peroxide mixed with four parts water, then applied to the soil
6. Adults can be trapped with yellow sticky traps made of yellow card stock or heavy paper coated in an adhesive since the adults are attracted to the color yellow.
7. Since the gnats are weak fliers, fan-based traps as well as other fly-killing devices may be used to help control free-flying gnats, especially indoors.
8. There are a number of toxic and non-toxic methods of controlling sciarids and their larvae, including nematodes, diatomaceous earth, or powdered cinnamon.

Commercial greenhouses typically employ the insect growth regulator diflubenzuron for control of fungus gnats and their larvae. It is applied to infected soil and will kill fungus gnat larvae for 30-60 days from a single application. Its mechanism of action is to interfere with chitin production and deposition and it also triggers insect larvae to molt early without a properly formed exoskeleton, resulting in the death of the larvae. Although it is targeted at fungus gnat larvae, care should be taken in applying it as it is highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates. Diflubenzuron typically has no toxic effect on adults; only the larvae are affected.

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