Bounce fabric softener dryer sheets repel fungus gnats

Gardeners have claimed that Bounce fabric softener dryer sheets can be an effective way to repel pests like mosquitoes and gnats. Researchers at Kan. St. Univ. conducted a study to find out if the claims were valid. The scientists did a series of experiments using Bounce dryer sheets could repel fungus gnat adults under laboratory conditions.
“In all five experiments, the mean proportion of fungus gnat adults collected in the sample compartments containing the dryer sheets were significantly fewer, ranging from 12% to 18% ,whereas the compartments without dryer sheets contained 33% to 48% of the fungus gnats released in the arena,” said Kan. St. entomologist Ray Cloyd. “This study is the first to demonstrate that Bounce original brand fabric softener dryer sheets repel fungus gnat adults under laboratory conditions.”
One of the major volatile compounds detected in the sheets was linalool, a chemical used by cosmetic and perfume companies for its flower-like odor. Linalool, which is found in plants such as lavender, marjoram and basil, has been shown to be toxic to mites and insects. Another compound detected in high levels was beta-citronellol, which is found in plants including rose, geranium, citronella and lemon balm, and repel mosquitoes.

Cloyd said that the use of the dryer sheets may eventually be “an alternative strategy to deal with fungus gnat populations in greenhouses.”
The study is available on the HortScience website.

Pictured: Bounce original brand fabric softener dryer sheets, which contain volatile compounds found naturally in some plants, repelled fungus gnat adults under laboratory conditions.