The fungus gnat is a pest that you should deal with quickly. But as a conscientious gardener, chemical fungicides are of course out of the question for you. The solution to the problem is waiting in the kitchen cupboard. While you probably find the scent of cinnamon pleasant, it scares away the fungus gnat.
How does cinnamon help against fungus gnats?
To combat fungus gnats with cinnamon, sprinkle a thin layer of cinnamon powder onto the planting substrate. The intense scent drives away the pests as they avoid the egg-laying location. Cinnamon is organic, inexpensive and also works against ants.
Application
Simple cinnamon powder from the supermarket can be used. You must first grate a whole cinnamon stick into small pieces as you apply the powder in a thin layer to the substrate.
Tip
If you don't like the tasty spice or don't have it in your kitchen cupboard, you can achieve the same effect with baking soda, collected coffee grounds or baking powder.
What else should you pay attention to?
After pouring out the spice, the fungus gnats do not disappear immediately (see effect). You'll have to be patient for a few days. During this time it is advisable to isolate the plant from the other plants - provided it is not buried. Since cinnamon powder does not kill the fungus gnat but only drives it away, it could happen that the pests settle again in the surrounding area.
How does cinnamon work?
Sad gnats can't stand the intense cinnamon scent. The females instinctively choose an ideal location to lay their eggs. Under these conditions, avoid allowing hatching on your plant. The cinnamon method is so effective because it is mainly the hatched larvae that gnaw on parts of the plant. Adult fungus gnats, on the other hand, only feed on plant remains and are therefore hardly dangerous.
More benefits
- Cinnamon powder is purely organic and does not harm the plant.
- Cost-effective control
- Cinnamon also repels ants.
- Cinnamon is said to stimulate the rooting of cuttings.
- Cinnamon prevents the formation of mold on plants.
Attention: Cinnamon powder is said to have growth-inhibiting properties in crops such as cress or tomatoes.
