Yellow sticky traps for fungus gnats

What traps do well

Adult fungus gnats are weak fliers and are drawn to yellow. A sticky card at soil level intercepts females before they lay the next round of eggs. You also get a visible count, which is the only honest way to know if the infestation is shrinking.

Placement that works

Cut larger cards into strips. Push them into the mix so the yellow face sits just above the soil, not up in the foliage. One card per small pot; two for a large planter. Keep them out of reach of pets and kids — they are extremely sticky.

Replace cards when they are covered or dusty. A full card stops catching. Check every couple of days during week one.

The limit

Traps do not kill eggs or larvae in the soil. If you only trap adults, larvae keep pupating and the cloud returns. Pair traps with managed moisture and, if that's not enough, a labeled Bti product — hydrogen peroxide is an optional, more cautious add-on, not an equal alternative.