Does Epsom Salt Kill Fungus Gnats?

Does Epsom salt kill fungus gnats? Fungus gnats can be annoying and they lay eggs fast too thereby spreading pathogens that can kill your seedlings. Epsom salt is one of the most used chemical compounds in the garden and yes, it can kill fungus gnats. This is one of the most natural ways to get rid of them and there are other effective methods too.

Fungus gnats infestation happens when there is enough moisture in the property for fungi to grow.

Over-watered indoor plants create the ideal environment for the infestation of fungus gnats. This indicates that fungus gnats thrive in moist conditions and although they are considered harmless to healthy plants, they can cause extensive damage to seedlings.

The common type of fungus gnats you should watch out for are fruit flies or drain flies. One of the easiest ways to get rid of fungus gnats is to first eliminate the source then search for the breeding ground and kill the larvae.

There are just so many things you can do with Epsom salt and recently, killing fungus gnats has been added to the list. Epsom salt contains magnesium sulfate which can be toxic to some pests. If you are looking to get rid of fungus gnats for good, read below to know what causes fungus gnats and how you can kill them.

Can I Sprinkle Epsom Salt Around Strawberry Plants? — Image: Envato Elements

Fungus Gnats And The Causes Explained

Fungus gnats can appear out of nowhere, but a study shows that the cause is linked to water-related issues.

Gnats are small black or dark brown insects with long slender bodies and they are harmless to healthy plants and humans. However, it can live in the soil and travel to potted plants or cut garden flowers, they can cause serious damage to the seedlings.

There are two types of gnats which include biting and non-biting gnats. Overwatered indoor plants are the most common causes of fungus gnats infestation. It’s hard to identify fungus gnats and many just classify them as small flies. The adult fungus can grow up to 1/8 inches and they do have a mosquito-like appearance.

One way to remove fungus gnats completely is to first get rid of the source. Fungus gnats invest when there is a water-related issue so look for leaky pipe in your basement or any overwatered indoor plants which is often the common cause.

Other breeding sites of fungus gnats include broken sinks, overwatered lawns, water-damaged walls, or dirty garbage cans filled with water.

Does Epsom Salt Kill Fungus Gnats?

Yes, Epsom salt will kill fungus gnats and this is because it contains magnesium sulfate which happens to be toxic to it. While there are lots of DIY you can get to kill fungus gnats instantly, Epsom salt can be used as a pesticide to get rid of gnats and other garden pests that might harm your plants.

However, keep in mind that there is no ideal evidence to back up this claim.

There are still people who claim that Epsom salt does not affect fungus gnats. But there is no harm in trying and Epsom salt can be beneficial to your plants as well. Epsom salt can be used to produce healthier plants and reduce leaf loss as well.

Simply dissolve Epsom salt in water and spray in areas where these gnats are found and you can have this sprayed on your plants as well. However, to eliminate fungus gnats more safely and effectively, we recommend getting a professional to apply fungus gnats treatment.

What kills fungus gnats instantly?

There are lots of effective ways you can kill gnats instantly. But the most recommended ones include mixing one part peroxide with four-part water and pouring it through the soil at the affected area or drenching the affected plant area with neem oil. Removing and discarding the affected area is another way to also kill fungus gnats instantly.

How do fungus gnats appear out of nowhere?

Overwatered indoor plants are not the only reason gnats can appear. Fungus gnats can also lay their eggs in moist organic materials like dirt, mulch, and compost. Fungus gnats are attracted to light, rotting leaves, and damp mulch in flowerbeds. These pests can come from anywhere there is dirt, moisture, or light.

Can Epsom salt be used as an insecticide?

Epsom salt is a chemical compound that contains magnesium sulfate which can deter some pests so yes it can be used as an insecticide. Dissolve Epsom salt in 5 gallons of water and apply to foliage using a pump sprayer. It can come in handy in a severe pest infestation.

Can you put Epsom salt directly on plants?

Epsom salt needs to be mixed with water before applying it and it’s best used as a soil drench rather than sprayed directly on your plants.

You can also add Epsom soil directly to your soil but the magnesium in it can burn your leaves if used too often. Epsom salt can be dissolved in water or worked directly into your soil but avoid excessive use.

Wrapping Up

Epsom salt is commonly used to feed plants that crave magnesium and if you do have bug problems, Epsom might be able to help take care of that.

Keep in mind that Epsom salt needs to be used in moderation and there is also no currently no research to back up the fact that salt Epsom can take care of all pest problems.

Once a plant is infected by fungus gnat, you might need to eliminate the affected area. But if there is no intense damage done yet then Epsom salt is a compound worth trying.