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I am finding so many gnats around my apartment and in my plants which… | Pests, diseases and problems | Planta community

Shiney

I am finding so many gnats around my apartment and in my plants which is slowly killing them. Or at least I think so. I purchased organic cinnamon and spread around in all my plants soil. All week, I’ve been spraying all the plants with hydrogen peroxide mixed with water and that hasn’t helped. If the cinnamon doesn’t work, what can I do to get rid of these gnats or at least get them to leave my plants alone. I also have little bowls of apple cider vinegar and dish soup sitting out in a few different spots around my apartment. TIA!

6 likes 15 comments

15 comments

  1. Olivia

    You probably need to change the soil. Mold could be going either in the soil or on the inside of the pot, which attracts gnats. (I’ve had this same problem when overwatering my one snake plant) If you use the same pots, give it a good clean, the peroxide/water mixture should work to my recollection. Though please do further research, as I’m going by memory.

    2 likes
    • Shiney

      Thank you so much!!!

      2 likes
    • Olivia

      Of course! If that works, check to make sure that you’re not either over watering your plants, or have poor drainage. <3

      2 likes
  2. Amie206

    There is a company that makes a product called “death drops”. You mix it in water when you water and it kills the larvae in the soil. You could also bottom water. This helps with letting the top soil dry out and reduces knats.

    3 likes
    • Shiney

      Thank you!!

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  3. Alyssa

    All good advice above, also I’ve heard mosquito bits and nematodes can help as well, hopefully all those things help your plants!

    5 likes
    • Shiney

      Thank you!!

      1 like
    • Alexa

      i second mosquito bits! soak them in water per package instructions and water ALL your plants with it every time

      5 likes
  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.

    2 likes
    • Shiney

      My boyfriend and I are fairly new to owning plants so this is all new learning stuff for us. I appreciate your help! I will look into different, better soil!!

      1 like
    • Shiney

      Do you have a brand that you recommend for soil??

      1 like
    • Plant Father

      happy i’m able to help! i like repotme dot com as they have lots of amendments and specialized mixes. sol soils is great as well but i prefer their amendments alone since their mixes are intended for those with a tendency to overwater. i don’t have experience with any others but i’ve heard good things about rosysoil and bros with hoes ‘dirt bag’ as well as molly’s aroid mix.

      1 like
  5. 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!

    1 like
  6. 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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    • Shiney

      Thank you!!

      1 like