What Are Those Tiny Flies Called – Identifying Fungus Gnats And

ByRimon Chowdhury Updated on

Have you ever walked past your beautiful indoor plants, ready to admire their growth, only to be met by a little cloud of tiny, annoying flies? You wave your hand, they disperse for a second, and then they’re right back, hovering over the soil. It’s a frustratingly common problem, and it makes you wonder, “What are those tiny flies called, and how do I make them go away?”

I promise you, you’re not alone in this battle. As a lifelong gardener, I’ve faced this exact issue more times than I can count. The good news is that these pests are more of a nuisance than a disaster, and you absolutely have the power to get rid of them for good.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know. We’ll identify the most likely culprit, understand why they’ve chosen your plants as their home, and most importantly, I’ll share my tried-and-true, eco-friendly methods for evicting them and keeping them from coming back. Let’s get your peaceful, fly-free garden back!

First, Let’s Identify the Culprit: What Are Those Tiny Flies Called?

Before we can create a battle plan, we need to know exactly who we’re dealing with. While several tiny insects might be drawn to your plants, one is far and away the most common offender when you see flies hovering around the soil.

The Usual Suspect: Fungus Gnats

Nine times out of ten, the answer to “what are those tiny flies called” is Fungus Gnats. These are the small, dark, mosquito-like insects you see flitting about. Don’t worry—they don’t bite humans or pets!

  • Appearance: They have slender black bodies, long legs, and greyish wings. They look a lot like tiny mosquitoes but are much weaker fliers.
  • Behavior: You’ll typically find them running across the soil surface or flying erratically in the immediate vicinity of your houseplants. They are drawn to moisture and decaying organic material in the soil.
  • The Real Problem: While the adult flies are annoying, the real damage comes from their larvae. The adults lay eggs in damp soil, and the resulting larvae feed on fungi and organic matter. Unfortunately, they also happily munch on the delicate roots of your plants, which can lead to wilting, yellowing leaves, and stunted growth, especially in seedlings and young plants.

Could It Be Shore Flies?

Shore flies are another possibility, though less common indoors. They look similar to fungus gnats but are a bit more robust.

They have stouter, darker bodies and often have five distinct light-colored spots on each wing. Unlike fungus gnats, they are strong, quick fliers. The key difference is their diet; shore fly larvae feed on algae, not plant roots, so they are generally considered harmless to your plants.

What About Fruit Flies?

It’s easy to confuse any tiny fly with a fruit fly, but their habits are quite different. Fruit flies are typically tan or light brown with red eyes. You’ll find them buzzing around your fruit bowl, compost bin, or garbage can—not hovering over the soil of your houseplants. If the flies are in the kitchen but not on your plants, you likely have fruit flies, not fungus gnats.

Why Me? Understanding the Root Cause of Your Tiny Fly Invasion

Seeing fungus gnats isn’t a sign that you’re a bad plant parent! It’s simply a sign that the conditions are a little too perfect for them. Understanding why they showed up is the first step in creating a lasting solution. This section is a crucial part of our what are those tiny flies called guide.

The #1 Attraction: Overwatering and Damp Soil

This is the single biggest reason fungus gnats appear. They thrive in consistently moist environments. When the top few inches of your potting soil are always damp, you’re essentially rolling out the welcome mat and creating the perfect nursery for them to lay their eggs.

The larvae need that moisture to survive, so eliminating it is our most powerful weapon against them.

The Role of Organic Matter

Most high-quality potting soils are rich in organic matter like peat moss, coco coir, or compost. While this is fantastic for your plants, it’s also a food source for the fungi that gnat larvae love to eat.

A bag of potting soil, especially one that has been sitting for a while and has retained moisture, can sometimes come with a dormant population of fungus gnat eggs, just waiting for the right conditions to hatch.

Poor Drainage and Air Circulation

A pot without a drainage hole is a recipe for waterlogged soil and, consequently, a fungus gnat infestation. Similarly, if your plants are crowded too closely together, air can’t circulate effectively around the soil surface, which keeps it damp for longer periods.

Your Step-by-Step Guide: How to Get Rid of Tiny Flies for Good

Alright, gardener, it’s time to take action. We’re going to use a multi-pronged attack that targets both the annoying adult flies and the root-damaging larvae in the soil. Follow these steps for how to what are those tiny flies called and you’ll see a dramatic improvement.

  1. Step 1: The Yellow Sticky Trap Offensive (Dealing with Adults)

    The first thing we need to do is reduce the population of adult flies. This stops them from laying more eggs. The easiest and most effective way to do this is with yellow sticky traps. Fungus gnats are irresistibly attracted to the color yellow. Place these traps on stakes in the soil or lay them flat on the rim of the pot. You’ll be shocked (and a little satisfied) by how many you catch.

  2. Step 2: Let Your Soil Dry Out

    This is the most crucial cultural change you can make. Break your current watering schedule and allow the top one to two inches of soil to become completely dry to the touch before watering again. For most plants, this is a healthy practice anyway! By doing this, you make the soil an inhospitable place for eggs and larvae, effectively breaking their life cycle.

  3. Step 3: Target the Larvae with Eco-Friendly Solutions

    While the soil is drying out and the traps are catching adults, we’ll actively treat the soil to eliminate the existing larvae. Here are my favorite eco-friendly what are those tiny flies called methods:

    The Power of Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis)

    This sounds scientific, but it’s wonderfully simple and safe. Bti is a naturally occurring soil bacterium that is lethal to the larvae of gnats, mosquitoes, and blackflies but completely harmless to plants, pets, and people. It’s my go-to solution. You can find it in products often called “Mosquito Bits” or “Mosquito Dunks.” Simply sprinkle the bits on the soil surface before watering, or soak them in your watering can for about 30 minutes to create a “Bti tea” to drench the soil with.

    Beneficial Nematodes: Your Microscopic Allies

    For a truly sustainable what are those tiny flies called approach, consider releasing beneficial nematodes (specifically Steinernema feltiae) into your soil. These are microscopic predatory worms that actively hunt down and destroy fungus gnat larvae. You purchase them online or at specialty garden stores, mix them with water, and apply them to your soil. They are an incredible, all-natural pest control army!

    A Simple Hydrogen Peroxide Drench

    If you need a quick solution with ingredients you might already have, a hydrogen peroxide drench works well. Mix one part standard 3% hydrogen peroxide with four parts water. Water your plants thoroughly with this solution. The peroxide will kill larvae on contact, and as a bonus, it breaks down into water and oxygen, which helps aerate the plant’s roots. Use this method sparingly, as it can also harm beneficial soil microbes if used too frequently.

  4. Step 4: Top-Dressing for Future Defense

    Once you’ve treated the soil, prevent adult gnats from laying new eggs by covering the soil surface. Apply a half-inch layer of coarse sand or diatomaceous earth (DE). The sand creates a dry barrier they can’t get through, while the food-grade DE, composed of fossilized algae, has microscopic sharp edges that dehydrate and kill any pests that try to cross it.

Prevention is Key: Sustainable Best Practices to Keep Flies Away

You’ve won the battle, now let’s win the war! Adopting a few key habits will make your garden a much less attractive place for fungus gnats to return. Following these what are those tiny flies called best practices is the secret to long-term success.

Master Your Watering Routine

Always, always check the soil before you water. Stick your finger in about two inches deep. If it feels moist, wait another day or two. Consider bottom-watering your plants: place the pot in a saucer of water and allow it to soak up moisture from the bottom for 20-30 minutes. This keeps the top layer of soil dry, deterring gnats.

Choose the Right Pot and Soil Mix

Ensure every single one of your pots has a drainage hole. No exceptions! When potting plants, you can improve soil aeration by mixing in amendments like perlite, pumice, or orchid bark. The better the drainage, the less likely you are to have soggy soil.

Quarantine New Plants

Here’s a pro tip: whenever you bring a new plant home from the nursery, keep it isolated from your other plants for a couple of weeks. This gives you time to inspect it for any pests, including fungus gnats, and treat any issues before they can spread to your entire collection.

The Hidden Benefits of Managing These Pests Effectively

Dealing with pests can feel like a chore, but there are some surprising benefits of what are those tiny flies called management. It’s not just about getting rid of an annoyance; it’s about becoming a better gardener.

By tackling a fungus gnat problem, you are forced to perfect your watering habits, which leads to healthier, stronger plant roots. You learn to observe your plants more closely, noticing subtle changes and becoming a more attentive and intuitive plant parent. Ultimately, you create a more peaceful and enjoyable indoor garden space for yourself, free from pesky flying insects.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tiny Flies in Your Garden

Are fungus gnats harmful to humans or pets?

No, not at all! Fungus gnats are a pure nuisance pest. They do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases to people or animals. They are only a threat to the health of your plants, particularly seedlings.

Can I use dish soap to get rid of tiny flies?

A trap made of a small bowl of water with a few drops of dish soap and a splash of apple cider vinegar can catch some adult flies. However, it does nothing to address the larvae in the soil, which is the source of the problem. It’s a temporary fix at best, not a complete solution.

How long does it take to get rid of fungus gnats?

Patience is key! The fungus gnat life cycle from egg to adult can take about 17-30 days. You need to be consistent with your treatment plan for at least 3-4 weeks to ensure you have broken the cycle and eliminated all generations. You should see a big reduction in adults within the first week.

Why do I only seem to get tiny flies in the winter?

This is a very common observation! During the winter, homes are closed up, and there is less airflow. Slower evaporation rates mean that the soil in your houseplants stays wet for much longer after watering, creating the perfect damp conditions for fungus gnats to thrive.

Your Garden, Reclaimed

There you have it—the complete rundown on those pesky little flies. The mystery of “what are those tiny flies called” is solved, and you are now armed with a complete care guide and a powerful set of tools to deal with them.

Remember the key steps: Identify them as fungus gnats, let your soil dry out, treat the larvae with an eco-friendly solution like Bti, and prevent their return with smart watering. Don’t be discouraged; this is a common gardening challenge that you are now fully equipped to handle.

Go forth and apply your new knowledge. Enjoy your beautiful, thriving, and wonderfully fly-free garden. Happy growing!

Rimon Chowdhury
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