i noticed that probably almost all my plants are producing little gnat bugs from them. is there an effective and safe way to get rid of them? i have a zevo light and it is always filled completely with gnats within a week so im looking for a permanent solution to the issue ):
Neem oil and systemic granules have worked for me REALLY well when used in combination! You can also put perlite on the top layer of soil, cuz fungus gnats usually lay their eggs in the top 2” of soil. I would also wait an additional day or two for watering your plants, perhaps even longer, cuz fungus gnats love damp soil
1 likeIMO, it’s easiest to dry out your plants a lil longer while also treating them :) I hope this helps! I found all products for decently cheap on Amazon
0 likesAlso I would search fungus gnats on here. Lots of people have posted other helpful tricks for these pesty pests
0 likes thank you! i just ordered the neem oil! i will look for the granules this weekend. i appreciate it a lot (: ! i definitely think the soil is too moist so i will try drying them out
2 likesOf course!! I hope these tips are able to help! I’ve been battling them for awhile but those solutions are what’s kept them at bay
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Yellow sticky traps that you put in the soil will catch the adults; as for the eggs, I would recommend both a granule bonide system added to your soil and mosquito bits every watering until the problem resides! Alternatively to mosquito bits, bottom watering prevents the soil from getting so water logged that it attracts bugs moving forward. Hope this helps 💙
3 likes thank you!! i definitely need to change out the sticky traps i have now! just feels like never ending bugs! how do you bottom water plants ?
0 likes It’s a little tedious but so worth it since I made the switch; I get the deep plastic basins from Home Depot/Lowe’s— but a bowl would work too if it’s big enough! Then I fill it up with water as full as I can, usually 2/3rds up the pot and let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour. Dump the excess water after and the roots will have soaked up just as much water as the plant wants! Top water occasionally to dissolve mineral build up in the soil.
2 likes thank you! i will start that probably with my smaller plants first since i don’t have too much space to do that with my large ones 😭 tysm, i appreciate it a lot !!!
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I've fought these guys many times. There are a lot of different solutions and some work better than others but none of really a perfect solution every time. Diluted hydrogen peroxide can kill larva (while being harmless) and cleaning the soil. Cinnamon on the soil helps kill mold and fungus that feeds the larva. Neem oil kills on contact and prevents them from landing. Mint oil deters gnats from coming. Drying out your soil makes it less attractive to gnats laying eggs. Mosquito bits sprinkled on the soil helps kill larva over time. My personal favorite is to keep a gallon of water with 1/4 of a mosquito dunk ring in it then water with that jug (can refill without replacing the dunk). This will poison the larva and is harmless to plants. Also those yellow sticky traps or even some carnivorous plants (sundew or butterwort) will help lower the flying population but won't stop the infestation
1 likeHow diluted should the hydrogen peroxide solution be?
0 likes I usually go 50/50 but in my experience it doesn't have to be exact
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Ugh, I hate fungus gnats! they are the worst! a lot of people have great advice already, but I’ve found that a good homemade trap with stuff at home is apple cider vinegar and a little splash of water. A trap, some cinnamon in your soil, and drying out your plant has always worked for me! Good luck!!
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For gnats I always pour hydrogen peroxide in the soil and it always seems to help and it kills mold
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