Gnats!

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bluper Roswell, NM May 13, 2013

All the Miracle Grow potting soil is full of gnats. I re potted my house plants and have a house full of the varmints now. I have sticky strips by each plant, I put sand over the soil and I've tried apple cider vinegar sitting in dishes all over the house. Nothing works. How can I get rid of the ones in the house now and prevent any later? Does anyone sterilize potting soil anymore? Is there a brand to buy that gnat free?

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jasminesmom Saugerties, NY(Zone 5a) May 13, 2013

Did you call the store and tell them? Maybe they will be kind and replace the soil for you. I have used slices of raw white potato and it does kill some of the gnats, the white vinegar & dawn worked for me, Good Luck,

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kwanjin (Zone 7a) May 13, 2013

When I get fungus gnats, I take the plant outside into a shady area and sprinkle cinnamon over an area just larger than the pot then put it over the whole top of the soil. The gnats don't like it and it doesn't hurt the plant. I leave it out for most of the day and, when I bring it back in, I tap the pot gently to remove any stuck to the bottom. It does wonders for me. Pulling back a bit on watering will help a lot, too.

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tommyr2006 Poughkeepsie, NY(Zone 6a) May 14, 2013

Go get a package of "Mosquito Dunks" at the garden center. Put on quarter of one in your watering can. It will kill the larvae in the soil. Takes a while to notice the change but it works. Use sticky traps for the adults.

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purpleinopp Opp, AL(Zone 8b) May 15, 2013

I would edit your first sentence to say "peat is full of gnats." Constantly soggy soil isn't good for plants, but great for fungus gnats, who breed in moist soil. The larvae eat the decomposing roots (because they've died in the soggy soil) of the plants, a vicious cycle. Using a mix that is much more chunky and porous can solve both problems. Peat holds onto excess moisture forever, until it's suddenly so dry it's become hydrophobic. Horrible stuff for potted plants.

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TexasDollie Dewey, AZ(Zone 7a) Jun 04, 2013

I had not heard that about cinnamon...it sounds so easy! Early this spring (late this winter?) we were plagued with gnats til the hubs was ready to throw all the houseplants out into the dumpster. I took them out once it got warm enough, (we have warm winters) and only have one ficus tree in the house right now. I bought some BT to water into them, but right now they're all out on the porch, getting thoroughly dry between waterings. We don't plan to have nearly so many in this coming winter, but it's good to know that between the BT, the vinegar, less water, and cinnamon, there's something I can do about those darn gnats!

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