What Carnivorous Plants Will Eat Fruit Flies and Fungus Gnats?
Have lots of fruit flies? Or are you overrun with fungus gnats? Carnivorous plants can help kill off some of the adult fruit flies and fungus gnats you have in your home and look good while doing it!
What do Carnivorous Plants do?
Carnivorous plants attract, trap, kill, and digest organisms to gain nutrients from them. They have adapted to do this because of the low nutrient content in the soil they naturally grow in.
What Kind of Bugs do Carnivorous Plants Eat?
Carnivorous plants do not choose what to eat. Whatever is attracted to them and is small enough to eat will end up being eaten if the plant is able and if the organism finds its way to the plant. That being said, insects that feed on fungus (like fungus gnats) are typically attracted to Sundews (Drosera) and Butterworts (Pinguicula). Fruit flies also seem to like Sundews and will often fall prey to them!
What Plant is the Best for Catching Bugs?
In our opinion, the Drosera capensis is a great plant for catching fruit flies and fungus gnats around the house. It is easy to care for if you follow our care instructions and ensure it is given lots of light and sat in a tray of water. A close second would be a Butterwort (Pinguicula) such as Pinguicula gigantea.
Can Carnivorous Plants Eat Pests?
For pests like fruit flies and fungus gnats, the answer is yes! However, you will need to address the cause of these flies entering your space. Remove standing water, wet soil, rotting fruit etc. to help curb the infestation. These plants are fun to have around and will certainly eat adult fungus gnats and fruit flies but are not a replacement for an exterminator. Carnivorous plants will not eat most pests such as scale, mealy bugs etc. but can eat adult thrips, whiteflies, and aphids sometimes.
Do Carnivorous Plants Get Pests?
Yes, Carnivorous plants, like other plants can fall prey to pest insects such as scale, mealy bugs, thrips, whiteflies etc. It is important to deal with an infestation as soon as possible if you notice one arising.
Why Keep Carnivorous Plants?
Carnivorous plants can be a great addition to any plant collection and a showpiece for your home. In addition to eating fruit flies and fungus gnats etc., they look amazing while doing it. Instead of plastering unsightly sticky traps and swapping them out every so often, why not choose a natural method to dispatch insects? Your plant will thank you for the nutrients it obtains from these insects with healthy and beautiful growth too!