I know that this has been discussed before, but I want to know if anyone has a solution that works. I tried the 1/2 peroxide and water, and systemic. The systemic killed the plant, and I don't want to risk it again. The water and peroxide killed some but nowhere near all of them. I really need a good solution as my plants still have several months to go inside. Tina_A
Fungus Gnats
Diatomaceous Earth
Plant Pests:
For control of aphids, white fly, beetles, loopers, mites, leaf hoppers, and others, use Diatomaceous Earth inside your home, greenhouse or outdoors on fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains and grass, up to and including day of harvest. For dry application of Diatomaceous Earth use a duster(see above) and cover entire plant, apply to both top and bottom of leaf. For young plants, as little as two pounds per acre may be adequate. For larger plants, five lbs per acre is probably sufficient. Diatomaceous Earth will need reapplication after a rain. Applies best when there is dew or after a light rain. It is a long lasting, effective powder. The insects can not build up resistance. Wear a dust mask when applying large amounts of it.
I put mine right on the dirt
http://www.dirtworks.net/Diatomaceous-Earth.html
Tina_A
Hi I have been using the yellow sticky stripes and it sure keeps them stuck till they die. They are non toxic and you can move them around to where they are needed. I think they work as the flies are attracted to the yellow and then get stuck on the sticky. I also have found that not keeping the soil wet helps also good air movement helps and I stopped bringing in banana's as they seemed to come with the knats from the store.
Good luck.
Ann
Believe me in my experience there is only one thing that works. A product called Gnatrol, combined with the yellow sticky traps. I had thousands of the little buggers now I have none. Do an ebay search you will find Gnatrol. Expensive but you get what you pay for.
Doug
I have recommended using the following solution to many people and so far it has worked great.
Get a couple of votive candle holders and fill them half full with apple cider vinegar. squirt some dish liquid into them and set them around your plants. the gnats are attracted to the vinegar but the dish liquid will kill them. it will not be an immediate remedy, it will take a few days for this to work. the one thing that you do not want to do is put it into a tightly closed area, because the fumes can become too strong. everyone that has tried this method so far has been rid of the gnats within a few days. also, as mentioned above do not water as often.
hello Princess Tammy
bhaugh's idea works perfectly! I can vouch for it.
thanks bhaugh & pirl I will have to remember that if the problem comes up again
Thanks bhaugh for the tip. I've repotted my plants twice to get rid of them and the last time I mixed diatomoaceous (is that spelled right) in the soil. I also moved my plants into the basement (where it is drier) under lights and have a fan to circulate the air. So far the number of gnats has decreased significantly but I'll try the vinegar and dish soap to finish them off. How can they be prevented another year? Eleanor
Mosquito dunks. Put 1/4 of one in your watering can. It kills the larvae in the soil. I use those and sticky traps and it makes a big difference. I get them every fall/winter. PITA!
I wish I knew how to prevent them. The only suggestion I have on that is to keep your soil a little more on the dry side. I stumbled across the vinegar solution and since it worked so well in getting rid of them for me, I tell everyone about it!! I have also heard that after the gnats are gone, you can put ground cinnamon on the soil which will deter the gnats from your plants. I plan on trying this as I repot this spring.
may Princess Tammy never have to deal with fungas Gnats
On my Sunday morning radio gardening show, Ralph Snodsmith - the host, said to drench the soil with Insecticidal Soap to remove the larva. So, between the vinegar and soap to catch the live ones and the drench he recommended there shouldn't be any more gnats for those who have the problem.
We will beat these gnats at their little game!!!!!! It's us against them....LOL.....
thanks for the info pirl, i'll get some of that and see how it works.
Princess Tammy, may your days be footloose and fancy free
yeah!
Thanks pirl, for the insecticidal soap suggestion!! I'd like to get rid of them before I start my seeds next month. Eleanor
Watch for gnats in bags of soil, as in African Violet soil. I opened a bag today, which had been sealed (just bought it), and out they flew.
pirl, if that happens, can the soil be treated before using it? or should it just be returned? i would hate to finally be rid of them just to bring them back in with new soil...UGH
may Princess Tammy never have gnatty soil.
I'm sure it could be returned. Since I had opened the bag and since they had escaped I didn't bother returning it.
Hi Guys
Up here at -35 we would just put the soil in it's bag outside for a week or so and I bet everything would be dead!
Ha that's a new weapon for us, there has to be good side to this weather!.
Ann
nothing like finding a silver lining annabell52.........
Good morning Princess Tammy!
Could you explain Princess Tammy to me.
A good solution for fungus gnats is tepid chamomile tea. Water with this a few times, and it kills them, and it doesn't hurt the plants.
here is a link to the Princess game that we are playing in the parking lot. we have to mention the Princess in every post that we make on DG and we have to follow her rules or we lose points.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/812062/
may Princess Tammy always have gnatless dirt
I had to laugh; there has to be as many homemade remedies for Fungus Gnats as there were gnats in that bag of soil. I'm telling you that I tried most of these except for the vinegar and dishsoap, and they all failed for me. Gnatrol is the only thing that worked, and no, I don't sell the stuff. Professional large greenhouses use the stuff; it works; and I think it is organic.
Doug
I have never heard of this stuff before. I looked it up, and you are right--it is organic. It's made of Bt.