CLOSED: Gnats in orchid bark?

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TomBuoy Palm Springs, CA Feb 04, 2008

I have been noticing what looks like tiny gnats in my house. When I looked at my plants, I noticed what seems to be a breeding ground. One site is orchid bark. The other are ti plants planted in potting soil. I spray the surface of the soil and bark hoping to break the growth cycle, but it only slows them for a while. I don't want to wash insecticide into the roots and cause some damage.

Any idea what these are and how to control them?

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fauna4flora Sinking spring, PA(Zone 5b) Feb 04, 2008

It is unlikely that insecticide drench will cause damage, and I definitely recommend that to treat fungus gnats. If anything may cause damage, it might be an aerosol spray on the orchid roots. You need to penetrate the whole root ball in the case of the orchid, and at least 2 inches deep into the soil of the ti plant. I'm not sure what products are available to you, but Adept works great. Look at the label of what is available to you to purchase and see if gnats or shore flies are listed. You can also purchase a species of nematode online that will also effectively treat the gnats if you are really chemically aversive, but that may not be the most economical approach. Do a google serach for Steinernema feltiae and you should come up with lots of options. Good luck!

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