Ok...so I went ISO of the Mosquito Bits that Doc suggested to combat the fearless fungus knats at my local ACE hardware. Sadly, they didn't have it but did have a product they recommended by Bonide called Systemic Houseplant Insect Control. She assured me it was safe to use indoors. I really prefer not going the chemical route but this has gotten more then annoying. I also saw something called Carbaryl - which I've never heard of. Any who...bottom line...has anyone used the Bonide stuff? And would this also be affective against Spider Mites? I NEVER had an issue with these or aphids indoors until I discovered BRUGS. I'm slightly frustrated with this. So any insight or suggestion whether it be the Bonide product I picked up or something else that you might suggest to take care of: Fungus Knats, Aphids, and Spider Mites on INDOOR plants?
This message was edited Apr 17, 2009 8:01 PM
Safe/Effective INDOOR Insecticide....an oxymoron???
Didn't you buy the same stuff I got in W'burg? Earth-tone 3n1? They also have one that is primarily insect control - http://www.espoma.com/p_consumer/pdf/products/earthtones/insectControl.pdf
I live around a large Amish community and they use diluted dish soap to control pests on plants. I know anytime I have gnats in the house the minute I have a glass of wine they are all around me. Now when they are in the house I leave out a cup of wine for them and they leave me alone while enjoy mine.
LOL - now that is a darned good idea - Quick, Chantell - pourr a glass immediately!
Only wine to be found in my house is vintage verbal
Try SC, I'm sure the gnats would love it!
I do NOT share my SC says Sam I Am...nor did I pick up any of the Earth Tone you speak of
Chantell, you might want to do a little searching on fungus gnats. I got those with a traded plant one time and if I remember correctly, they were awful to get rid of because they reproduce in the soil. I'm also thinking it has something to do with damp soil - that letting it dry out helps? I know I sprayed and sprayed and sprayed that sucker and didn't really get rid of them until I finally dug up the plant, washed off the roots, repotted it in new soil and disposed of the old soil.
Soapy water is good for aphids - I mean good for getting rid of them, not for growing healthy aphids. LOL Not sure about spider mites.
I FOUND the mosquito bits....whew...being applied tonight. You are exactly right, Diane...about the moisture thing
Yoo hoo! I just wrote about mosquito bits for fungus gnats- well I wrote abut Bt and while researching found out the mosquito bits and dunks are also toxic to fungus gnats. I've been using the Systemic from Bonide and think it really helped. with spider mites. But now I'm also making "tapla's" spray with soap, alcohol and neem and it works for me---just really have to keep after them, and the fact that I only have small plants being affected, not whole big ones. They small enough I could actually rinse the plant.
Neem Oil is good on most plants inside or outside for crawling or flying insects. It is also a mild fungicide and miticide. If you are not sure always test on several leaves not the whole plant just to be safe.