--- title: "Give me strength! I’ve spent all summer fighting fungus gnats and…" description: "Give me strength! I’ve spent all summer fighting fungus gnats and every time I think I’ve got them, they’re back. Then, these tiny white bugs started crawling…" url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/loggtIaqRnyz4OElhcP27g" community: "Pests, diseases and problems" author: "MoMo" published: "2024-11-08T02:47:18.580735Z" language: "en" image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/77oeD0wnoS0sZX5ArISaY_A_tVtpO-BAJQG5czcJeM0/OIwn3aypRRSycgbS4rabtA.webp?size=large" --- [Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md) # Give me strength! I’ve spent all summer fighting fungus gnats and… _Posted by MoMo on 2024-11-08_ Give me strength! I’ve spent all summer fighting fungus gnats and every time I think I’ve got them, they’re back. Then, these tiny white bugs started crawling all over the soil of my plants, and up the stems. I don’t think they’re spider mites but I’m not sure… I have over 40 plants and have never had real pest issues. But we moved next to a “rewilded” park in January, and this summer has been hell. Having tried everything (and I really mean that - apart from ladybugs), I’ve gone scorched earth. I’m repotting everything. And, scouring their pots, and washing the roots and spraying the leaves. Then, quarantine in a bathroom (for humidity, plus a grow light), with a liberal pesticide spray. Then, when they come out of the bathroom, they get an alcohol/horticultural soap rub. I’m 80% done, and I’m exhausted. I love these plants but Christ, if this doesn’t work, I may scream… it’s worth it right?! ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/77oeD0wnoS0sZX5ArISaY_A_tVtpO-BAJQG5czcJeM0/OIwn3aypRRSycgbS4rabtA.webp?size=large) ## 17 comments ### Olivia M commented on 2024-11-08 Absolutely worth it! You have a beautiful collection #### MoMo replied on 2024-11-08 Thank you! My babies. I’ve managed to keep them alive through the infestation. Though, a couple of yellowing leaves after my plant-sitter got hydro-happy while I was away. This is the smaller plants. Bigger plants tomorrow and then, I hope, finished 🤞🏽 #### Olivia M replied on 2024-11-08 You’ll never bring a plant home without checking all the nooks and crannies now ahahaha #### MoMo replied on 2024-11-08 Hell no. I always check plants before bringing them in but now, they are in purgatory until they prove they aren’t a threat 😂 ### ElizabethF commented on 2024-11-08 Combination of mosquito dunks and sticky traps. Soak the mosquito dunks in water and use that water on your plants every time you water them. This is harmless and will only hurt gnats and mosquito type insects. I even use it every time on my super sensitive carnivorous plants. Use the yellow sticky traps for the adults as the water won’t kill them. I still use mosquito dunks every time I water, even though I don’t have gnats, as a preventative. I just put them in a mesh bag and change them out every so often. #### MoMo replied on 2024-11-08 I appreciate the advice but when I say I’ve tried everything… 😂 I’ve had sticky traps for months, I’ve hung them from the doors even. I use mosquito dunks every time I water. I’ve moved to bottom watering which I hate. I’ve used nematodes, different types of plant toppers, horticultural soap, pesticides… I can’t even think what else I’ve tried. The issue is that they are coming from the park next to our house. Our olive tree (on the balcony) got them first. Then the open doors brought them in. It’s now cold so our doors are closed, hence why I’m repotting everything. #### StormLover replied on 2024-11-09 Are dunks the same as bits? And can they also be used in flowering plants? ❤️ 😊 ### Wolfen 🐺 commented on 2024-11-08 Next will be full pon and leca 😆 🤣 they really are the most frustrating. The systemic has been the only thing that helped me fully. ### Amy commented on 2024-11-08 Bless your heart. How maddening! You’ve come this far tho and they are beautiful. #### MoMo replied on 2024-11-09 Thank you! I love them very much - possibly too much. Less helicopter parenting from now on. ### Jena commented on 2024-11-08 So you’ve tried nematodes, but what about Anystis baccarum or a different biocontrol bug? After a couple of my office plants got infested with thrips, I considered these but A. baccarum can be kinda tricky to get in the US. The price wasn’t worth the two plants that I sadly had to get rid of, but it might be worth it for your collection! I’ve read they’re fantastic bugs and a container of 50 is enough to cover a huge garden. I’d wait at least a week after pesticide application before adding them. #### MoMo replied on 2024-11-09 I looked for them but couldn’t find anywhere to buy them that looked trustworthy (am in the UK - if anyone knows anywhere, please say!) Pesticide is much easier to get and I don’t have pets or young children so felt like a decent option. I’m now on the last plant, my giant monstera, so 🤞🏽 this works out! Tomorrow I’m going to fumigate the house. #### Jena replied on 2024-11-09 Either way I wish you the best with your plants! ☺️ ### Jena commented on 2024-11-09 Before you fumigate your house lolol maybe this shop would work to find A. baccarum? I tried entering UK for shipping and it didn’t give me any errors yet, but I’m not sure where these ship out of, Canada possibly. But air mail is an option. Search Nature’s Control, you’d only need a unit of 50 mites :) ![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/lmqAh9BM5tUhrXixi8weNITL2Gxki93rsnJbK0Pd3L8/phEXfJ23RhecK6Wb8x7_Kg.webp?size=large) #### MoMo replied on 2024-11-11 Thank you, but it’s done! Honestly, I think I needed it emotionally. I’m still going to look at the link though and see if I can ship here, just in case. Thanks! ### April commented on 2024-11-10 Beauties! They definitely are worth all your hard work. Good luck! #### MoMo replied on 2024-11-11 Thank you! I’ve had to split the big monstera as it was not Ok, and my fiddle leaf fig is looking very woeful after the stress, but we’re getting there 💚 --- _Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_