Fungus gnats
#EuropeanRedRaspberry
So, I'm growing my bareroot raspberry indoors under growlights when suddenly these guys show up.
As a preventative step, I've watered all my bareroots with BTI treated water but I'm still seeing these pesky fungus gnats.
Maybe I'm noticing stuff more coz all this is happening in my grow room, but are fungus gnats gonna cause any serious issues?
So, I'm growing my bareroot raspberry indoors under growlights when suddenly these guys show up.
As a preventative step, I've watered all my bareroots with BTI treated water but I'm still seeing these pesky fungus gnats.
Maybe I'm noticing stuff more coz all this is happening in my grow room, but are fungus gnats gonna cause any serious issues?

2ft to light, direct

Last watered 2 weeks ago

Most of the time, the most serious issue is that they will annoy the living hell out of you. Sometimes, very rarely, I've heard, big populations can affect the roots, but generally not. They are detrivores and really prefer the fungi in the soil.
They are famously hard to get rid of. BTI is the preferred method of many, but needs to be supplemented by e.g. yellow traps to get rid of the adults as well. Best practice is always not to overwater and maybe bottom water because, again, the larvae like fungi, that tend to grow in soil that we keep too moist.
My preferred method at this point is to let my carnivorous plants do the heavy lifting (like yellow traps but more effective) and ignore the remaining few. You might want to add another hashtag since #pestcontrol is the preferred one by the other pest haters and you might find more detailed answers from them๐
They are famously hard to get rid of. BTI is the preferred method of many, but needs to be supplemented by e.g. yellow traps to get rid of the adults as well. Best practice is always not to overwater and maybe bottom water because, again, the larvae like fungi, that tend to grow in soil that we keep too moist.
My preferred method at this point is to let my carnivorous plants do the heavy lifting (like yellow traps but more effective) and ignore the remaining few. You might want to add another hashtag since #pestcontrol is the preferred one by the other pest haters and you might find more detailed answers from them๐
@MusicalRedmint I laughed out loud to your comment because you are so right! Those gnats will annoy the loving hell out of the most patient person!
I found a pellet treatment that worked for my house. If I can find the product name again, I'll comment again here, just in case you're interested. What I liked about it was that it required very little water to activate, so I wasn't adding to the problem in order to fix it.
I found a pellet treatment that worked for my house. If I can find the product name again, I'll comment again here, just in case you're interested. What I liked about it was that it required very little water to activate, so I wasn't adding to the problem in order to fix it.
@TheConservator oh bti is really a biological control which uses a kind of bacterium that targets the larvae of mosquitos and fungus gnats. BTI is usually applied on stagnant water, but gardeners have been using them to water their plants to keep fungus gnats at bay.
The bacteria, once it colonize the soil, infects the larvae, cause them to cease eating, and then they starve to death. However, U need to use sticky paper to catch the adults.
The bacteria, once it colonize the soil, infects the larvae, cause them to cease eating, and then they starve to death. However, U need to use sticky paper to catch the adults.
@TheConservator Bti is a bacterium that usually is added to ponds to curtail the explosion of mosquito populations. It has been used in farming for a while now as well. It is said to be safe, but in general I'm a bit skeptical, at least concerning use for crops or broad band and in nature in general. However, even I would say it's safe for decorative houseplants inside in any case. A household name that markets it in the US for example is mosquito bits
@MusicalRedmint thanks for replying! I'm actually quite speechless that I'm still seeing fungus gnats coz I literally had the whole place (grow room) nuked. Even after all that cleaning, I'm still seeing them invading my plants. Now, maybe I'm leaning towards co-existance, but I have to make sure they won't cause much serious damage. I will just stick to BTI and ignore them
@MusicalRedmint
I think I might know someone who keeps droseras. Would Venus flytraps work?
I think I might know someone who keeps droseras. Would Venus flytraps work?
@RulerMoonflower Nope. vfts go for bigger prey like flies. They don't even register the gnats
@TheConservator I can relate. I'm that way also, that's why I read up on it, when I first stumbled over it. I still think it's highly questionable practice to just use it everywhere and not think there will be any repercussions for the bigger ecosystems, but apparently it's really very safe otherwise. So still, way safer than many of the systemics I see being used by so many plant people everywhere without a thought.
Not in the least. I keep mine in live sphagnum, but any soil for carnivorous plants should do as well. Then just place it in a saucer with always readily available distilled water (keep it filled up, don't let it dry, never use tap or fertilizer) and you are golden. Many varieties need quite good light, though, but I don't think that should be a problem where you live
@TheConservator nutritionally zero substrate? Is peat moss ok?
@RulerMoonflower you can spray isopropyl alcohol at swarms in the air and it will kill them on contact. The BTI will take time to control NEW growth but the adults will still be there till they keel over. Sprinkling cinnamon in the soil helps and I put a cotton ball with peppermint oil at the base of plants as they hate the smell. And lastly, I use this homemade spray and I donโt have any at my house. You can use cinnamon oil over using the sticks. And I spray at night as neem can cause photosensitivity in some plants. I donโt spray the leaves, usually just the soil.
Sphagnum moss works to, but again, I would go with love one if you go that route. Because is constantly in water anyways, the sphagnum thrives as well and looks lush and doesn't spoil like dead sphagnum would. I attached pictures since I'm finally home. Right now, sphagnum and sundews look a bit worse for wear because I'm German winter they don't exactly get lots and lots of light. But at least I could attach some blooms as well. Or rather buds