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Conventional wisdom says the adults just hang around making nuisances of themselves. They don't hurt the plants much, but they do like to land on your coffee cup just when you're about to take a sip.New research points to fungus gnats as plant disease carriers, though. Mary Harris, a doctoral candidate at the University of Georgia in Athens, says she's proved that adult fungus gnats occasionally transmit black root rot disease and Pythium wilt. She suspects they might carry more plant diseases, but so far she hasn't been able to pin it on them.Prevention goes a long way in the battle against these beasts. Don't overwater your plants if you don't want fungus gnats, Harris says. Especially young plants, which aren't strong enough to withstand an occasional gnat nibble.Potting mixes make a difference, too, Harris said. Fresh potting mix, with high percentages of compost is more attractive to fungus gnats. Bruce Steward, integrated pest management coordinator at Longwood Gardens in Kennet Square, Penn., says he overcomes that problem with sand. When he pots up bulbs indoors, he adds a half-inch layer of sand to the tops of the bulb pots."It really works," Steward said. "The eggs probably dried out, or - more available