Adults are 1/8 inch long, black flies with long legs and antennae. There is a distinct “Y-shaped” pattern on the forewings. During their 7 to 10-day life span, females may lay up to 200 eggs. Moist-growing media containing high amounts of peat moss are particularly attractive to adult females looking for birthing sites.
Fungus gnat larvae develop in the growing medium of houseplants and are considered minor pests. Gnats can also live on the outside of your home near water, many of our worst gnat areas in southeast Wisconsin are near Lake Michigan.
They don’t damage anything, however if you live near a lake you understand how they can be super annoying! They are considered a nuisance pest when present in noticeable numbers, but the adults are harmless insects that do not bite.