Insects

• Fungus gnats are tiny insects that lay eggs in soil of potted plants. While the adults resemble mosquitoes, they do not bite humans or pets. In addition to seeing them in the dirt of your houseplants, you might spot adult fungus gnats near your windows or lamps.
  
  

Issues

• Adult fungus gnats can be nuisances when large numbers of them gather around light sources in your homes. The larvae in your potted plants feed on fungal matter in the soil. They can also feed on plant roots, leading to a lack of vigor in your houseplants.
  
  

Solutions

• Kill the mosquito-like adult gnats using pyrethroid-based insecticides. To get rid of them completely, kill the larvae living in your potted plants. Treat the dirt with a soil drench called Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. Israelensis, which kills them before they can mature into flying adults.