Safety
Do fungus gnats bite?
Written by Mustafa Ayan Fact-checked against university extension/IPM sources Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
Direct answer
No, fungus gnats don't bite people or pets. Adult fungus gnats have mouthparts that aren't built for biting, and they don't feed on blood. They're annoying when they fly into your face, drink, or screen, but they're harmless to you. If you're getting actual bites, something else is the cause.
Why fungus gnats don't bite
Adult fungus gnats live about a week, mostly to mate and lay eggs. Their mouthparts are weak and not adapted for piercing skin, and they have no need for a blood meal. The feeding stage is the larva, and that happens in the soil, on fungi, organic matter, and fine roots. Larvae don't bite people either.
They're also not known to transmit human disease, so the risk is a nuisance, not a health issue. Between plants, though, they can help spread soil pathogens, which is one more reason to deal with them.
If you're being bitten, it's probably one of these
- Biting midges ("no-see-ums"): tiny, can pass through ordinary window screens, and do bite, often around dusk.
- Mosquitoes: look similar to fungus gnats at a glance, but are larger and bite.
- Fleas, mites, or bed bugs: small bites, often in clusters, not related to flying insects around plants.
How to check what you have
If the flies are hovering around houseplant soil and lift off when you water, they're almost certainly fungus gnats. If you wake with bites, or get bitten outdoors or near screens at dusk, look elsewhere. Use the identification guide to compare the lookalikes.
Common questions
Do fungus gnats bite humans?
No. Adult fungus gnats don't bite or sting people, and larvae live in soil and don't bite either.
Can fungus gnats bite dogs and cats?
No. They don't bite pets. Pets can show interest in chasing them, and sticky traps can be a hazard to curious animals, so keep traps out of reach.
Why do fungus gnats fly in my face?
Adults are attracted to light and to the carbon dioxide and moisture you give off. They're harmless, but they hover near faces, drinks, and screens.
Can fungus gnats make you sick?
They're not known to transmit disease to people. Their significance is for plants, where larvae feed on roots and adults can carry soil pathogens between pots.