Okay I have tried everything to get rid of the gnats living in my banana trees soil. They are starting to infest my home. Please help. I have an event coming up in a month and the last thing I want my guests to endure is gnats getting in their face and food.
I would repot the plant. Unearth it outside so the gnats are outside instead of in your house. Then repot it inside with new soil. You can use peroxide in the soil to kill larvae of any gnats that come back. I would also recommend getting several wall socket UV light plant traps. Turn off every source of light at night so the traps are more tempting. Good luck!
4 likes Also there are sticky traps you can stake into your soil to catch the gnats
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This is old school but a grocer told me this is what they do. Grab some plastic cups, put some old fruit in them and cover with plastic wrap then get an Elastic band to keep the plastic wrap on. Get a toothpick and poke little holes around the plastic wrap (so the gnats can get in). When they seem pretty full grab another piece of plastic wrap and put it on top of the cup to keep the gnats in and make a mad dash to the dumpster or garbage can. Do this until they are gone!! It really works!! Put the cups around where the gnats are.
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I specifically grow rosemary for this reason. I soak it in a strong alcohol (like everclear) for a month then i mix 2 tablespoons of it, 2 tablespoons neem oil, and 1/2 teaspoon peppermint castile soap in 1 gallon distilled water. You can spray and wipe down the leaves with it. You can also add 1cup of it to the water when you water once a month and it will kill the larvae infestation the soil and prevent future pest including thrips and spider mites
1 likeI second the fruit fly traps. But I’ve also heard good things about desert sand on the tops of plants to help prevent and stop and infestation in the soil. I have yet to try it but if you’re struggling it might be worth a shot. There also are little in house big zappers which you can put by it as well that I have seen people praise.
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Have you tried mosquito bits? I haven’t used them myself, but my brother absolutely swears by them! He had a huge fungus gnat problem and mosquito bits were the only thing that actually worked for him! They’re just a plant safe bacteria that kills gnat larva in your soil. You just soak them in water to make a gnat murdering “tea” and then use that to water your plants lol. They sell them on Amazon and at hardware stores I think (:
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I use beneficial insects as pest control. Plenty of predatory species that don't harm plants and aren't a nuisance to humans.
1 like Thank you everyone! I’m going to get supplies needed to repot. I already have neem, lights, and stick traps. So I’m going to try your mixtures to see if any of them might help with the new soil! I truly appreciate all of the advice and help!!
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