Hi! I bought and repotted a peperomia but I am having a gnat problem. I have sprayed the soil with neem oil several times and it’s not fixing anything. The gnats are starting to infest my bathroom so I had to move the plant outside but I’m not sure it will do well. If neem oil doesn’t work, would repotting in fresh soil help? Or will there still possibly be traces of gnats and tbe problem continuing
Depending on the severity, you can bottom water with insecticide and allow the soil to be saturated. Or you can repot and nicely wash off the roots with water prior to repot. Ensure that you have fresh soil and discard of the contaminated stuff.
3 likesSounds like you’ve overwatered. Peperomia don’t need a ton of water anyway… You can also buy nematodes that’ll actually kill the larva in the soil. The gnats are harmless just annoying lol
3 likesI have only watered once. I think the gnats were in the soil I used to repot since I didn’t have gnats before I repotted in new soil.
0 likesOh yeah that makes sense for sure!
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In my experience, beneficial nematodes are the easiest and most effective treatment for fungus gnats. The nematodes eat the fungus gnat larvae. They’ll live in the soil until they have nothing left to eat. Some will also eat thrips and spider mite larvae (if in the soil). The nematodes come in a fine powder you mix in when watering. Very easy to apply, and one treatment can last months.
2 likesAre they safe to use on herbs as well? My basil and cilantro have the gnats too 😭
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Mosquito Bits or the liquid version BMC used every time when watering can get rid of the larvae in the soil. Continue to use after the gnats go away to prevent future reoccurrence. Yellow sticky traps catches the flying adults. Excess moisture in slow drying soil promotes the growth of the gnats that eat rot like rotten roots. Using a too big pot such that the plant can’t use up all the water in the soil adds to the problem. Repot to a pot only 2” wider or less. Use well draining soil with lots of perlite. Get good air circulation to help with soil evaporation by adding a small fan near the plants. Give the plants good lighting or grow lights which help the photosynthesis process. Healthy plants use more water which helps the soil dry out. 🪴🍀
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Completely agree with Sunny. Mosquito bits are very effective, and you can make a mosquito bit tea and use it as water for your plants to kill the larvae during waterings.
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I have gotten gnat problems before. I like to use the bug sticker inserts. They come in cute little bird and butterfly shapes and u just peel both sides and stick it into the dirt and the gnats just get stuck. It works perfectly:)
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Ok this is a little bit long but this is how i got rid of those annoying fungus gnats. I haven't seen any for years! (Knock on wood) lol i got a cup - that you can throw away. I put some old fruit in it and covered it with plastic wrap and a rubber band to keep the plastic wrap on. Then i used a toothpick and put little holes in it and set the cup or cups where the gnats are. When i saw the cups full enough i put more plastic wrap over the top and made a mad dash to the dumpster or the garbage outside. Then repeat. I promise it works.
1 like Plus Mosquito bits in the soil
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Water your plants with a mix of mosquito bits for a while.
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