Gnats

Pestgon FactSheet

FUNGUS GNATS (Sciaridae)

Description:
Fungus Gnats are light to dark grey flying insects. They are very small (less than 1/8 of an inch long) with two pair of wings. Often they are only glimpsed as they fly past your computer screen or around you head.

Biology:
The potting soil of indoor plants is often the source of any fungus gnat infestation. Fungus gnats are attracted to and breed in over-watered and decaying organic matter. Fungus gnats are a common problem in office buildings and other areas where decorative indoor plants are present. Left uncontrolled, they can breed in the thousands. They are attacted to light so they will fly near computer screens or will be found in large numbers on windows sills.

Economic Impact:
Office personnel will, at times, become aggravated by the nuisance of fungal gnats in their work environment. Workers may even start complaining about mysterious bites and itching due to the presence of "now you see-um, now you don't", fungus gnats

Management Methods:
Over watering of plants in office spaces are the primary reason fungal gnats will get out of control. An effective pest control program involving fungus gnats requires a mutual effort on the part of plant service people, managers and the professional pest management of Pestgon,Inc.

Additional Links
Fungal Gnats