Kalanchoe Passion Aris Tiny Black Flies - Causes & Fixes

Jump to cause: Fungus Gnats Overwatering and Root Rot Soil Organic Matter Decomposition

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Fungus Gnats

The presence of tiny black flies in succulent media is almost certainly fungus gnats, whose larvae feed on organic matter and decaying roots in moist soil. They are attracted to the high humidity levels often maintained around Kalanchoe foliage.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Set a yellow sticky trap near the base of the plant to confirm the presence of flying adults.

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1 Deploy yellow sticky traps to capture the adult flying gnats and break the reproductive cycle.

Super Ninja Fungus Gnat Traps - 30 Pack

30 pcs

$7

In Stock

2 Allow the soil to dry out significantly between waterings, as fungus gnat larvae thrive in consistently moist organic matter.

GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter SMM-V3

Water Meters

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3 Top-dress the soil with a layer of horticultural perlite to create a dry barrier that prevents adults from laying eggs in the damp soil.

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Overwatering and Root Rot

Frequent watering causes the Kalanchoe substrate to remain damp, creating the perfect breeding ground for fungus gnat larvae. This moisture also leads to anaerobic conditions that can cause the succulent's fleshy stems to soften.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Check if the soil remains wet for more than a week and inspect the base of the stem for mushy, dark spots.

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1 Immediately reduce watering frequency and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to disrupt the fungus gnat life cycle and stop root rot.

GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter SMM-V3

Water Meters

—

2 Repot the Kalanchoe in a well-draining, gritty substrate like a succulent mix or add perlite to improve aeration and prevent future anaerobic conditions.

3 Apply yellow sticky traps near the soil surface to capture adult fungus gnats and prevent further breeding.

Super Ninja Fungus Gnat Traps - 30 Pack

30 pcs

$7

In Stock

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Soil Organic Matter Decomposition

If your potting mix contains high amounts of peat moss or compost, it provides an abundant food source for fly larvae. Kalanchoe prefers well-draining, inorganic-heavy mixes which are less attractive to these pests.

Common

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How to confirm: Examine the top layer of soil for small, white, worm-like larvae moving near the surface.

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shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Apply a biological control method to eliminate the adult flies and larvae by using yellow sticky traps to capture flying insects.

Super Ninja Fungus Gnat Traps - 30 Pack

30 pcs

$7

In Stock

2 Repot your Kalanchoe in a well-draining, inorganic-heavy substrate to remove the organic food source for the larvae.