health
Houseplant hacks: do eggshells deter fungus gnats from laying eggs?
It sounds thrifty and natural, but kitchen waste won’t help. Here’s what will
TL;DR
- Fungus gnats are a common and annoying houseplant pest.
- An internet fix suggests crushing eggshells and adding them to the soil to deter gnats.
- The theory is that eggshells prevent adult gnats from laying eggs and provide fertilizer.
- Eggshells are ineffective because they do not form a proper barrier to stop gnats from reaching the compost.
- Gnats are attracted to damp compost, and eggshells do not alter soil moisture.
- Eggshells belong in the compost bin and are not a deterrent for fungus gnats.
- To reduce gnats, dry the soil surface, trap adults, and address the root cause.