Help! My office is inundated with gnats! Must have gotten a "bad" batch of potting soil. What do I use to get rid of them? My plants include Ferns, Hoyas, Begonias, African Violets, Christmas et-all cactus and the usual tropical house plants. I did get a genuinely great laugh the other day when one flew up DH's nose and he did the "gnat-up-nose hack-n-dance" around my office....but other than that I can't find any good to them! (that was one GREAT "holding sides...might-wet-pants" laugh though!!!) Thanks! K
(also posted in Houseplants forum)
Gnats driving me gnuts
It can be tough to get rid of those guys especially if you have plants that require consistently moist soil.
You can try systemic soil drench, Gnat specific TB ( e.g. Gnatrol), nematodes (e.g Scanmask, see this thread http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/473962/), predatory mites (Hypoaspis miles) or pathogenic fungus (e.g. Botanigard).
Milan
Hi Milan! Thanks......I appreciate your input. Thanks so much, I will go look for that! Although I have to admit, I'm somewhat partial to the "snarf up a gnat & do the hack & dance".....LOL...makes me laugh just thinkin' about it....what a sight....I think I have that burned into my memory!
Karen
Hehehe must have been a sight to see :)
I've used both Gnatrol and Scanmask, both worked but Scanmask is easier, no repeated applications , it has ended my gnat gnightmare. No more "gnat-up-nose hack-n-dance" around here. :)
I also tried the sand method, that didn't work so great, some plants you just can't let dry out enough to do the trick.
Hmmmm, I replied to this thread in the wee hours of Feb 1. My reply got lost in cyber space! Milan, yes indeed, the "dance" my husband did in my office was most probably one of those "you had to be there" moments. I doubt I will ever get that vision out of my head, and start laughing every time I think about it! PM I think I may try the Scanmask, easy is good for me! In the houseplant forum Pennzer recommended hydrogen peroxide...
"Some say a couple tablespoons per gallon of water, but some say as much as 1 part H202 to 5 parts water. I think I would prefer the weaker solution but continue it with every watering for at least 10 days. As a side benefit, I bet you see your plants perking up from the H202. "
I may try that first, specially if the H202 is benificial to plants anyway...have never tried that but have heard here in the forums that others do. Milan, have you used hydrogen peroxide with watering your plants? Anyone else?
K
K, I've been using hydrogen peroxide for the past year or so, all of my plants are happier for it:-). For gnats I've been using "Knock-out-Gnats' from Garden's Alive, it works great. No gnats in the greenhouse or house.
Blessings,
Awanda
Thanks Awanda and everyone. I shall shop for some gnat remedies and try the hydrogen peroxide tonic.
Karen :~D