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Hi all! I’ve been going nuts with fungus gnats for a while now and I… | Pests, diseases and problems | Planta-community

Hannah

Hi all! I’ve been going nuts with fungus gnats for a while now and I was wondering what soil people use and if they have a better option? I’ve tried miracle gro and espoma but both have tons of gnats fresh out of the bag. I heard it can be about how the store stores the bag? I liked fox farm happy frog but definitely got thrips from it (timing, location, reintroduction). I know gnats aren’t a huge problem, and pests are a part of plant parenthood, but I’m just trying to see if there is another option? I even got into carnivorous plants, but I still feel like I’m constantly surrounded by gnats. I’m not ready to go semi-hydro but I would be willing to mix my own stuff if that is what it takes. (Picture unrelated 😊)

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6 likes 12 reacties

12 reacties

  1. Pchee

    You should get the systemic houseplant granules. I had fungus gnats and it was driving me crazy. You put them in the top couple layers of soil and then water the plant. That’s where the gnats lay eggs so it’ll kill the eggs. I also bought some sticky fly traps from Amazon to kill the adult ones. It takes a while to get rid of them but i don’t have them anymore! And i just make sure to put the granules in the soil every time i get a new plant or repot

    4 likes
    • Plant Father

      systemic granules are highly toxic and i find it quite appalling that people recommend them so often. a hydrogen peroxide solution poured over the soil will kill any larvae or eggs in the soil, and traps will take care of the adults. there’s no need for toxic chemicals especially not for fungus gnats which aren’t even harmful, just annoying.

      2 likes
    • Pchee

      lol well i didn’t know that sorry! No need to be appalled

      2 likes
    • Plant Father

      i did not mean any offense! that’s my bad. i was moreso talking about the sheer amount of plant influencers who love touting systemic granules without acknowledging the health risks. my guess was that you got the bonide recommendation from one such influencer. i’m sorry it came across harshly, my intentions were to educate and draw attention to the granules’ dangerous popularity.

      0 likes
  2. GreenGirl

    From personal experience, I suffer with fungus gnats too and what I have found to help is fungus gnat sticker traps, they are stickers that you place in the soil you can find them on Amazon, these are good because they kill the fungus nuts when they are in adulthood so they’re unable to keep reproducing !!

    2 likes
  3. Plant Father

    i highly recommend making your own soil. i use coco coir, fine perlite, and worm castings as my base potting soil. for most houseplants a 1:1:1 ratio of potting soil, grit (like coarse perlite and pumice), and coco chunks or fir bark chips is the perfect amount of airy. water loving plants with fine roots like tradescantia will appreciate a higher ratio of soil though, maybe 2:1:1. also be sure to err on the side of underwatering your plants, as fungus gnats love moist soil— overwatering or soil that doesn’t drain well (like the plain potting soils you mentioned) is probably the main cause of many people’s fungus gnat infestation. if you don’t feel like mixing your own media, i’d recommend looking at sol soil’s webpage, i purchase a few amendments from them but have heard great things about their premixed soil.

    2 likes
  4. Sunny

    This is from the Safety Data Sheet for the commonly used Bonide Systemic Granules: Warning : H351 - Suspected of causing cancer by inhalation. H373 - May cause damage to lungs. Precautions : P203 - Obtain, read and follow all safety instructions before use. P260 - Do not breathe dust. P280 - Wear protective gloves/protective clothing. P318 - IF exposed or concerned, get medical advice. P319 - Get medical help if you feel unwell. P405 - Store locked up. P501 - Dispose of contents/container to in accordance with local/national regulations. You have to wear protective clothing including gloves to apply it. But, you breathe it in while inside the house from every plant that has it on the topsoil. The benefits are not worth the cost.

    2 likes
    • Lynda

      Wish I’d known that before I purchased Bonide. Hope I can return it. Thanks for that info.

      2 likes
  5. Ememie

    I saw a video on YouTube (rustic gardener maybe?) saying to prepare your soil for pots with boiling hot water which will kill any eggs/bugs in the soil. I’ve been doing that and it’s been very helpful! Obviously let it cool before using it lol When I had gnats, I used Neem oil spray which takes a bit since it’s organic but it definitely helps. I also had to take out the first inch or so of soil in a few pots because of larvae and put new soil in which helped. Good luck! Fungus gnats suck 😭

    2 likes
  6. Pchee

    Omg I’m a new plant parent so i am so sorry for recommending systemic granules clearly i know nothing

    3 likes
  7. Hannah

    I’ve tried systemic and sticky traps but I must just have a high enough density and repotting turnover that it isn’t cutting it. I think I will take @plantfather’s advice and mix my own. I would really like to keep the microbiome and systemic/peroxide/boiling nukes that all. Wish me luck!

    0 likes
  8. DelValle🪴

    Hi this is only related to your picture.. I have two pink panther plants and I love them so much but I cannot keep them alive.. the leaves keep wilting and falling off. What’s your secret to keeping them happy?!

    0 likes