Coffee Grounds Can Actually Inhibit The Growth Of Some Plants There have been a number of small scale studies that have shown that coffee grounds added directly to the soil can actually inhibit plant growth, particularly in seedlings and young plants. People who have close contact with infected plants and inhale mold spores, can end up having respiratory diseases. The nitrogen in coffee grounds also raises the temperature of the soil, which can kill weeds and curb pests. The pest gnat infesting houseplants is the Fungus gnat. Because decomposition needs to happen to release nutrients that plants can use, it is better to compost these items first rather than add them directly to your indoor garden. Other Uses for Used Coffee Grounds in Gardens. See all replies If you bring a fungus gnat-infested plant to your indoor garden, your house will be at risk of facing the irritating infestation. I use coffee grounds, used tea leaves of any kind, roasted, ground, ... One week later I couldnât believe it, I had hundreds of gnats dying around my plants. Besides being annoying, this feeding behavior can do serious damage to plants. I don't know Why they would be around the coffee pot or how to keep them from coming back BUT,, to get red of fruit flies , take a small glass (I use a shot glass) and fill half way with apple cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dishwashing liquid and mix well. Larvae are very small, thread-like in appearance and have a whitish body and black colored head. 3. Fungus gnats and fruit flies are DIFFERENT. A plant expert explains what plants like coffee grounds, what plants don't, and how to use used coffee grounds as fertilizer. Coffee grounds, either in the soil or in your compost bin, will slowly decompose releasing the nutrients. Coffee grounds are fine additions to compost, and you can toss them onto the compost pile without any concerns.This goes for used tea leaves, too, and tea bags made of natural material and free of staples. Their larvae may damage the roots of ⦠Hey, you aren't the only one who perks up after some coffee! Over-watered houseplants and wet compost also attract gnats. Coffee grounds are highly acidic, they note, so they should be reserved for acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries. So keep reading to learn into details about the coffee grounds ⦠Learn how to combat fungus gnats. Moist coffee grounds get moldy. Coffee grounds can be converted into solid and liquid fertilizers. Gnats in houseplants are annoying. The larvae damage the root systems of infested plants by digging into the soil and feeding on the roots. Ditto for flavored coffees. Many gardeners like to use used coffee grounds as a mulch for their plants. How to Kill Fungus Gnats in Houseplants with Dish Soap. Wash any plates right away; do not leave dirty plates with food particles stacked in the sink. One caveat: if you add cream, milk or sugar to your coffee, don't pour it into your plants. All containers should have holes in the base. Fungus gnat adults are about 1/8-1/4 inch long, have long, thin legs in relationship to their overall size, are black and have a long, slender abdomen. Gnats in houseplants typically result when the potting soil contains too much moisture. Hereâs how to get rid of fungus gnats. Known as fungus gnats, they're actually small flies about 1/8-inch long that are drawn to moist potting soil and decaying plant material at the base of indoor plants. Mar 19, 2019 - If you have potted plants in your home or garden, you may have noticed tiny insects flying around. Jul 5, 2020 - Fungus gnats are tiny bugs in houseplant soil, or flying around plants. It turned my neighbor 's blue hydrangea purple vinegar to get rid of fungus gnats. coffee... 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