Western Exterminators - Pest Control Services California, Arizona, Nevada

Flies: Blow Fly, Bottle Fly | Fruit Fly (small), Vinegar Fly | Fungus Gnats, Root Gnats | House Fly

	Common name:	Latin name:	Class:	Order:	Family:
	Fungus Gnats, Root Gnats		Insecta	Diptera	Sciaridae

	Size:
	Although a few species are up to 1/2 inch long, adults commonly are about 1/16 to 1/8-inch long.
	Characteristics:
	Named for the food of the larvae, which feeds on molds and fungi found in damp locations. If conditions are especially moist and Fungus Gnats are abundant, larvae can leave slime trails on the surface of media that look like trails from small snails or slugs. In mushroom farms they can multiply very fast.
	Color:
	Adult Fungus Gnats are brown to black. Larvae are whitish with black head, nearly tiny snake-like masses moving from feeding sources. Adult wings are light to clear and have a Y-shaped wing vein.
	Where Found:
	Common throughout the United States.
	Habitat:
	Generally remain near potted plants and often run or rest on growing media, foliage, or litter. Attracted to light, and tend to gather at windows. Found in homes and offices due to moisture sources in potted plants, under appliances, in crawl spaces or beneath slabs, moisture damaged walls or damp locations in exterior landscape.
	Food:
	Larvae feed primarily on fungi growing in the soil and moist decaying matter. Sciarid larvae mostly feed on decaying plant material, animal excrement, or fungus, but some feed in rotting wood or under bark of fallen trees.
	Biology:
	Females lay tiny eggs in moist organic debris or potting soil. Larvae have a shiny black head and an elongated, whitish to clear, legless body. Large quantities of decaying vegetable matter in damp soil are conducive to heavy infestations. From egg to adult takes about two weeks.
	Damage:
	Mainly a nuisance in offices, institutions, and homes.
	Invasion:
	Usually breed inside in moist meadiums. Can also enter buildings through ordinary screens from sources near structure.
	Control:
	Control of this flying insect depends heavily on finding and eliminating its breeding sites. This fly requires areas of high humidity. Inspection should look for areas of high moisture content. Leaks in wall areas or over- watered plants in pots could be a source. This is a nuisance pest and use of pesticides alone will not eliminate the problem. Drying out moist areas or over- watered house plants will effectively control this fly. Use of aerosol pesticides to kill flying adults will produce temporary relief only, but can be useful in knocking down populations of adults while you follow the above recommendations. Finding and eliminating the source is the best way to achieve long-term control. When using any pesticide, be sure it is registered for the target pest/location. Read the entire label prior to use. Follow all label directions, restrictions, and precautions.