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To get rid of basil plant flies, you need to target both the adult flies and the larvae living in the soil.
Those tiny flies hovering around your basil are almost always fungus gnats, and they thrive in moist, organic-rich soil.
If you’ve been noticing these basil plant flies every time you water or brush past your herb, you’re not alone.
The good news is that you can get rid of basil plant flies with a few simple, natural methods that don’t require harsh chemicals.
In this post, we’ll break down exactly how to get rid of basil plant flies, why they appear in the first place, and how to keep them from coming back.
Let’s dive into clearing those pests from your beloved basil.
Why Basil Plant Flies Appear and How to Get Rid of Basil Plant Flies
Basil plant flies usually show up because your soil is staying too wet.
Fungus gnats, which are the most common basil plant flies, lay their eggs in the top inch of damp soil.
When the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on organic matter and fungi in the soil, which is why your basil is their favorite restaurant.
To get rid of basil plant flies, you first need to break their life cycle by drying out the environment and removing their breeding grounds.
Let’s look at the most effective ways to handle these basil plant flies step by step.
1. Let the Soil Dry Out Completely
The absolute fastest way to get rid of basil plant flies is to stop watering your basil until the top two inches of soil are bone dry.
Fungus gnat larvae cannot survive in dry soil because they need moisture to develop.
Check your basil every day by sticking your finger into the soil; if it feels even slightly damp, hold off on watering.
Once you get rid of basil plant flies this way, you’ll also prevent new eggs from hatching.
Just be careful not to let your basil wilt completely, as the plant still needs some hydration to thrive.
2. Use Sticky Traps to Catch the Adults
While drying the soil tackles the larvae, you also need to catch the adult basil plant flies that are buzzing around.
Yellow sticky traps are incredibly effective because these basil plant flies are attracted to the color yellow.
Place a few sticky traps near your basil plant, just above the soil line, and you’ll catch dozens of adults within a day.
This doesn’t get rid of basil plant flies permanently on its own, but it dramatically reduces the population.
Combining sticky traps with dry soil is the one-two punch that will get rid of basil plant flies for good.
3. Bottom Water Your Basil
If you want to get rid of basil plant flies and keep them gone, switch to bottom watering.
Instead of pouring water on the top of the soil, place your basil pot in a saucer of water and let it soak up moisture from the bottom.
This keeps the top layer of soil dry, which is exactly where basil plant flies like to lay their eggs.
By keeping that surface dry, you make it nearly impossible for new basil plant flies to reproduce.
Your basil roots will still get all the water they need, but the flies will have nowhere to breed.
Natural Remedies to Get Rid of Basil Plant Flies Fast
If you’re dealing with a serious infestation, you might need a few extra weapons to get rid of basil plant flies quickly.
These natural remedies are safe for your basil and your home, but they’re deadly to the flies.
1. Hydrogen Peroxide Soil Drench
A diluted hydrogen peroxide solution is a fantastic way to get rid of basil plant flies larvae.
Mix one part 3% hydrogen peroxide with four parts water and pour it over the soil of your basil.
This solution kills the larvae on contact while adding extra oxygen to the roots, which your basil will actually love.
You can get rid of basil plant flies larvae with just one or two treatments, and it won’t harm your herb.
Repeat this every few days until you see no more flies emerging from the soil.
2. Cinnamon Powder on the Soil Surface
Cinnamon isn’t just for baking; it’s a natural fungicide that kills the mold fungus gnats feed on.
Sprinkle a thin layer of ground cinnamon over the top of your basil’s soil.
This removes the food source for the larvae, which helps you get rid of basil plant flies naturally.
Cinnamon also has a strong scent that deters adult flies from landing and laying eggs.
It’s a cheap, easy, and completely non-toxic method to get rid of basil plant flies.
3. Neem Oil Spray for Leaves and Soil
Neem oil is a powerhouse when it comes to getting rid of basil plant flies.
Mix a few drops of neem oil with water and a tiny bit of dish soap, then spray the top of the soil and the lower leaves of your basil.
This oil coats the larvae and disrupts the life cycle of adult basil plant flies.
Spray your basil once a week to keep the flies away and stop reinfestation.
Just make sure you spray in the evening so the sun doesn’t burn the wet leaves.
Preventing Basil Plant Flies From Coming Back
Once you get rid of basil plant flies, you’ll want to make sure they never return.
Prevention is all about changing the conditions that attracted these basil plant flies in the first place.
1. Use Well-Draining Potting Mix
Basil plant flies love heavy, compacted soil that stays wet for days.
Repot your basil in a mix that includes perlite or sand to improve drainage.
This allows excess water to flow out quickly, so the soil doesn’t stay soggy.
When your soil drains well, you naturally get rid of basil plant flies because they lose their breeding habitat.
Aerated soil is your best long-term defense against these pests.
2. Don’t Overwater Your Basil
Overwatering is the number one reason basil plant flies show up in your home or garden.
Basil prefers soil that is slightly moist but never waterlogged.
Water your basil only when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
By sticking to this schedule, you’ll never give basil plant flies the wet conditions they need.
Remember, it’s easier to add water than to take it away, so err on the side of dry.
3. Keep Your Growing Area Clean
Fallen leaves and decaying plant matter attract basil plant flies.
Regularly remove any dead leaves from the soil surface and from around your pots.
Clean up spills and keep the area free of standing water.
A tidy growing area discourages basil plant flies from settling in.
This simple habit goes a long way in keeping your basil fly-free.
So, How to Get Rid of Basil Plant Flies for Good?
To get rid of basil plant flies, you must dry out the soil, trap the adults, and kill the larvae.
By letting the top layer of soil dry completely, you stop the eggs from hatching.
Using yellow sticky traps catches the flying adults so they can’t lay more eggs.
And a hydrogen peroxide drench or cinnamon powder will kill the larvae hiding in the dirt.
Once you get rid of basil plant flies, switch to bottom watering and a well-draining soil mix.
These changes make it nearly impossible for basil plant flies to ever return.
So if you’re dealing with those annoying basil plant flies, just follow these steps and your basil will be happy, healthy, and completely pest-free.