How to Eliminate House Plant Soils of Flying Insects
- 1). Place the plant in a well-ventilated area and allow the soil to dry out. Bugs like gnats need a moist environment to thrive.
- 2). Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the surface of the soil. Diatomaceous earth is made up of crushed, fossilized algae. On a microscopic level, the particles are razor sharp and will cut and lead to the death of the insects.
- 3). Create a solution of water with 1 tsp. of dish soap in a 16-ounce spray bottle. Spray the leaves and dampen the soil with the solution. The soap will break down the insects' waxy, outer coatings, causing them to eventually dehydrate. The leaves can be sprayed later with fresh water to rinse away the soap residue.
- 4). Fill a small, paper cup with 1 part apple cider vinegar and 1 part water. Place the cup near the base of the plant. The insects will be attracted to the vinegar scent and drown in the solution.
- 5). Reduce the amount of water you give to the plant as much as possible. If it is a plant that needs a lot of water, keep the soil slightly damp but not soggy. Ensure that the soil is loose and able to drain water easily. If the soil is overly compacted, re-pot the plant in new soil. Make sure the pot has drainage holes. If not, place a layer of gravel at the bottom.
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