I have a question for the resident experts. :) I'm dealing with a bit of fungus gnats and just a couple spider mites and whiteflies. The latter two have been easily managed. Darn the fungus gnats!! I want to start seeds too so I have to get rid of these nasty guys. I just found a bottle of Bonide borer and miner killer (purchased this past fall). Fungus gnats are one of the pests it is supposed to kill as well as spider mites and whiteflies. It is safe for most ornamentals and edibles. Is it safe for my brugs?? Ingredients-2.5% Permethrin, 97.5% other. LOL What the heck is the other?
Safe for my Brugs?
I seem to have gnats also.......... do they just go after seeds or can they go after plant roots also?
I've been fighting the little bugers too but not near as bad as the spider mites.
We ALL have been!
I've been spraying the leaves & soil weekly with Physan 20. Maybe they are building up a resistance. I'm going to switch to light horticultural oil for a while. Any thoughts on this?
Kell, apparently the gnats themselves are harmless. It is the babies that cause all the problems. They hatch in the soil and eat the roots. It is not that big of a deal for larger more established plants but they can sure cause problems for seedlings. In eight years of seed starting, I have never had a problem but last year my favorite nursery switched the brand of seed mix they used. I had problems with damping off and then fungus gnats. I usually start some 400 varieties of seeds inside and had a near total wipe out. It was almost enough to break my spirit, but I kept going. I put cinnamon on top of the seed mix and Cala sent me some stronger stuff. I also bought Banrot. It killed me to use chemical warfare-not usually my cup of tea. But, it had to be done. My Brugs are very special to me, not only because of the beauties they will grow into, but because of the dear friends that have shared them with me. If chemicals is what it takes, so be it. They do fine outside but indoor growing sure has it's faults!
If you only have a minor problem with whiteflies and spider mites, first hold the plants under running water. Next step is to put alchohol on a q-tip and touch it directly on the bugs; kills them dead and quick too. :)
I've been fighting them too, all winter. Thing is, I will be starting all of my seeds indoors here pretty soon and my place is so small, the seedlings will be right by all of my gnat infested brugs. Can't get rid of them! I'm thinking of repotting all of them, in new sterilized soil and new pots. My question, can I spray the root ball that I pull out of the pot? It will just be the rootball and whatever soil doesn't fall of when I repot. Will the plant be OK? The lady at the greenhouse said that the ONLY thing that would kill em is this Fertilome Indoor/Outdoor Multi Purpose Insect Spray. Sooooo, being the newbie that I am, I bought it. Used on the surface soil like it said to, and I still have them. Although, now I read in these forums that two applications within one week may be needed. This stuff freaks me out, can't pronounce alf the ingredients. It does contain .25% Permethrin. They are just getting out of control! The bottom leaves are yellowing and falling off, I'm not sure if this is from the gnats or not. These are my VERY first brugs, all are still cuttings and I have done a great job of keeping them healthy so far. I don't want to watch them slowly turn to dinner!
Thanks,
J
http://www.planetnatural.com/fungusgnat_control.html This stuff called Scanmask really works. I just don't have any trouble with them since I treated the soil in each of my pots. So easy. Just a pinch of the stuff on the soil surface, and I watered lightly. No more gnats. Shipping is free, it goes a long way, and one treatment lasts up to 18 months.
Forgot to mention that I've even been sprinkling a little on the top of my rockwool and having no gnats at all. Can you tell I love it?
This message was edited Feb 3, 2005 10:01 AM
Looks good Shirley, I think I'll give it a try. My problem is not as bad as it was a few months ago. I started sterilizing my seed starter mix but I'm still getting a few.
Brugie I went to that site but didn't see Scanmask listed, put it in search and they didn't find it. I have been using gntrol, and sticky traps, I cut those in half amd lay them on top of the plant pot
I fount it :)
Beneficial Nematodes (Scanmask®)
In a moist dark environment these microscopic, worm-like parasites kill almost all pests. Therefore, they are ideally suited to combat insects in and on the soil and those that bore into wood, trees and shrubs. Beneficial Nematodes actively hunt, penetrate and destroy over 230 different pests including fleas, fungus gnats, black vine weevils and white grubs. Naturally occurring, they are not harmful to people, pets, plants or earthworms and will continue working for 18 months. Beneficial Nematodes can be applied anytime the soil is not frozen. To apply simply spread by hand over infested area and water.
but my Brugs are all in bright light
Doris...I think they mean under the soil where it is darkand moist!
I got this and used it and see a major reduction in the fungus gnat problem...I do have a few straglers yet though!
I got it from Planet Natural...
Margie
Doris, the soil is moist and dark except for the very top.
oooops. thanks guys
I dissolved a little bit of Bayer Advanced Mosquito Preventer (same thing as Mosquito Dunks, I think), and watered my seedlings with it. It seems to be working on the fungus gnats and thus far has not seemed to hurt the seedlings.
Kay
After reading about the mosquito preventer for this application I went & bought some. Time to use it tomorrow...
Edited to add: I wonder if spraying insecticidal soap would be too harsh. Any thoughts?
This message was edited Feb 3, 2005 9:29 PM
I used the Scanmask too. Brudgie (I think it was her) turned me onto it. NOTHING works better!
Actually, CaptMicha, it was you that turned me on to it. LOL! Thanks so much.
Oh... ! A good product is a good product! I have to break it out again soon b/c more gnats snuck in in a new bag of potting soil. >:(
Is this why everyone sterilizes their soil?
One of the very good reasons to. I mostly sterilize to prevent dampening off in seedlings.
Please a little reminder on how you sterilize the soil. I have read a few threads but for the life of me don't remember how for sure. Do you just use boiling water or the microwave?
The only way I've done it is with boiling water. I have put the soil in the pot and poured the water through, but I'm not sure that kills everything. Putting the soil in an old tee shirt draped over a large pot and then pouring the boiling water over it and letting it sit in the water until cool and then lifting to drain, is probably the best way. Monika does hers this way.
I use boiling water, water through the pot and then try to get the outside sides. Then I seal it in a fresh freezer bag and the steam kills anything left.
Thanks a bunch. Now to give it a try.