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So I think I I have a gnat infestation! I changed the pot/soil of her… | Pests, diseases and problems | Planta-fællesskab

Kristy

So I think I I have a gnat infestation! I changed the pot/soil of her plant I thought was giving me the most problems. I water with hydrogen peroxide mixed in sometimes, and I sprinkle food grade diatomaceous earth on the surface (very thick to cover). The diatomaceous earth gets soggy once wet so I feel it helps the gnats in the long run. I try to keeps fresh dry layer on top. I also bottom water the plants that I can. I use the yellow sticky traps as well. I just can’t seem to get rid of them. I even bought gnat catching machine, which barely works! I’m so sick of the gnats!! HELP ME PLEASE!! 🤦🏽‍♀️😂

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5 likes 21 kommentarer

21 kommentarer

  1. Alexa

    do not use diatomaceous earth! it traps in the moisture. i have been dealing with fungus gnats too and im finding that watering all my plants even those not infected yet with bti water is helping. soak mosquito bits with water per package instructions and use it to water your plants every time.

    2 likes
    • Kristy

      Oh wow thanks! That’s what I haven’t tried is mosquito bits, I gotta find that! I’m thinking of switching to hydroponic substrate like pon or fluval.

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    • Hemlock Plants

      There are also mediums that are more like dirt, but don’t have the dirt for the gnats to lay their eggs in. I use Rosy Soil, but there’s another one too Mollys Mix I think.

      1 like
    • Sunny

      Mosquito Bits or other products with Bti is well known to kill the larvae in the soil when they are regularly mixed into the water each time. No larvae means no future flying adults. I get fungus gnats in new plants and on some outdoor potted plants. I don’t have issues in my 140+ plants or I would have gotten rid of the entire collection long ago. Taking care of plants is supposed to be relaxing.

      2 likes
  2. HotelRomeo

    Agree. Mosquito Bit tea.

    1 like
    • Kristy

      Does that work on the adult gnats?

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    • Alexa

      No, you need to use sticky traps for them still. But they will not be able to reproduce since the larva will die in the soil.

      3 likes
  3. MaggiePlants

    I sprinkle cinnamon in my soil every month. Also, I let all the little house spiders move into my plant room last summer, the flies completely disappeared within 2 weeks.

    2 likes
    • Kristy

      Spiders‼️ 🫢🫣😧

      1 like
    • Sunny

      Jumping spiders will clean out flying gnats in mid flight. They are smart, friendly and don’t build webs. I had a couple of them on my kitchen counter for a few years after moving into our new house where they cleared out tiny sugar ants and fire ants.

      2 likes
    • MaggiePlants

      I had a few jumping spiders as well!

      1 like
    • MaggiePlants

      The little tiny ones, they were very helpful lol

      1 like
  4. Plant Father

    are your plants in plain potting soil? or has it been amended with additional drainage material, like pumice and perlite? most of the time when people have fungus gnat infestations it’s the soil they’re using. gnats are attracted to the peat in many commercial mixes. miracle gro in particular is well known for being full of pest eggs and larvae, typically because the bags are stored outdoors. i would recommend switching to a peat-free soilless mix like one from sol soils or repotme dot com. you may also be overwatering your plants, and an airy mix will help with this too. fungus gnats breed and thrive on moist soil since they eat the fungus that also breeds and thrives in moist conditions. also, diatomaceous earth is only effective when dry. the crystals dissolve in water so if you’d like to continue to use it for gnats on the surface i’d recommend only applying when the soil is completely dry on top.

    3 likes
    • Kristy

      I mix soil with orchid bark and a chunky mix from Amazon.

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    • Plant Father

      it’s very possible there’s too much soil in your mix, or the potting soil comes with gnat eggs and larvae. i would suggest checking the ratios and looking into reviews for the potting soil brand. also, typically a chunky mix won’t need to be amended with soil, unless you tend to underwater your plants or are growing plants that like to stay continually moist like aglaonema

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  5. Jes

    I haven’t done anything other than the sticky traps exactly like you have and after two weeks, I hardly ever see any unless they’ve gotten caught in a puddle in a sink or the shower. At one point I had a sticky trap in almost every potted plant I own. Unsightly, but they’re almost gone!

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  6. Tigerlilly

    you must kill the gnat larvae to stop the cycle. there is no other way! get some BTI drops. they’re a bacteria that kills the larvae in the soil. use 1-2 drops per gallon of water and water every single plant with this every single time. if you skip, they’ll come back. one gnat can lay over 200 eggs in soil!

    2 likes
  7. Tigerlilly

    there’s a dropper inside this tub container it’s shipped in. it’s the same bacteria as mosquito tea/dunks. just easier to use in liquid form.

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    4 likes
    • Kristy

      Just got this in today, can’t wait to I see how it works!!

      0 likes
  8. Tabi :)

    Look into rice husks!! :) cheap and affective

    0 likes
  9. Eden Garden

    Strong mosquito bites tea (soaked in the water overnight). I only watered according to their needs. Also, I put 3/4”- 1” desert sand and yellow sticky traps on top. All fungus gnats were gone gradually less than one month. They have never come back if not overwatering. I put yellow sticker traps in Spring every year.

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