Anyone know some tips to get rid of the gnats ?!? I’ve be...
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@livslillies in addition to the suggestions in this link are predatory mites and nematodes. Sundews and butterworts help mop up the flying adult FGs
https://www.learningwithexperts.com/blogs/articles/weapons-of-gnat-destruction-the-ultimate-guide-to-killing-fungus-gnats?srsltid=AfmBOoqrSOAjH0u_c_Is7R77hjWiedoDUtBblMp5kVEGANw2YfLw5Hn-
https://www.learningwithexperts.com/blogs/articles/weapons-of-gnat-destruction-the-ultimate-guide-to-killing-fungus-gnats?srsltid=AfmBOoqrSOAjH0u_c_Is7R77hjWiedoDUtBblMp5kVEGANw2YfLw5Hn-
@livslillies hello again! I don’t know what mosquito dunk is, I’m sorry. But someone on this app recommended these (pic 1). They’re amazing. If you zoom in you can see the active ingredient and compare it to what you’re using. I have a 2 gallon sprayer I use for watering, and because these mosquito drops literally only need one DROP to 2 gallons, I use this sprayer and add my other fertilizers and silica etc etc (I can explain more if needed). Pic 3, is a recipe I use religiously. I water my plants and spray the soil and you can spray the leaves and blot dry. It has neem,
Which can cause photo sensitivity in some plants for a few hours so be advised. I mix it in a 64 oz pressure sprayer (double recipe). It has cinnamon and peppermint and bugs hate it. (You can use cinnamon oil instead of boiling cinnamon sticks as it is faster. ) With over 150 plants I don’t have issues in the slightest with gnats.
Gnats have a life cycle. You have to get them in all 3 forms. You can also put isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle and spray them outta the air. It kills them on contact
Which can cause photo sensitivity in some plants for a few hours so be advised. I mix it in a 64 oz pressure sprayer (double recipe). It has cinnamon and peppermint and bugs hate it. (You can use cinnamon oil instead of boiling cinnamon sticks as it is faster. ) With over 150 plants I don’t have issues in the slightest with gnats.
Gnats have a life cycle. You have to get them in all 3 forms. You can also put isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle and spray them outta the air. It kills them on contact
For continued long lasting I use and recommended Bonide Systematic granules sprinkled on the top of all you’re pots it works for 3 months and will work long term hopefully through winter since that is when they are always at their worst.
Always especially during winter allow the top inch of soil to go completely dry. This helps as well as they do not like dry soil.
I also water during winter with 1 part 3% peroxide to 3 parts water mixed together when you see them. This kills the eggs and larvae on contact. I use this for their life cycle 3 weeks whenever I water a plant.
This will help you to be rid of them ❤️
You need to keep using the peroxide water though because any flying around will lay new eggs.
Always especially during winter allow the top inch of soil to go completely dry. This helps as well as they do not like dry soil.
I also water during winter with 1 part 3% peroxide to 3 parts water mixed together when you see them. This kills the eggs and larvae on contact. I use this for their life cycle 3 weeks whenever I water a plant.
This will help you to be rid of them ❤️
You need to keep using the peroxide water though because any flying around will lay new eggs.
I also want to point out that peroxide is useful for many other things as well.
1. It aerates the soil
2. Adds oxygen
3. Kills bacteria and fungus that can lead to root rot
4. It’s really cheap.
I also want to point out that although predatory mites can work on fungus gnats. I am a big fan of predatory mites, they will not work in this situation. They simply can not eat them fast enough.
I no longer use systematic but it works fantastic! I just can’t use it anymore it would kill my predatory mites.
So, for fungus gnats I treat with the peroxide mix.
I wouldn’t want to hurt my predatory mites 😁
But for big ingestations of gnats predatory mites will not work to control the population of gnats they just reproduce too fast for mites to keep up.
I keep predatory mites to prevent spider mites on my alocasia plants since they are spider mite magnets. They draw them in with the smell the alocasia plant releases.
I just don’t want you to go out and waste money on predatory mites when they will likely not be effective.
1. It aerates the soil
2. Adds oxygen
3. Kills bacteria and fungus that can lead to root rot
4. It’s really cheap.
I also want to point out that although predatory mites can work on fungus gnats. I am a big fan of predatory mites, they will not work in this situation. They simply can not eat them fast enough.
I no longer use systematic but it works fantastic! I just can’t use it anymore it would kill my predatory mites.
So, for fungus gnats I treat with the peroxide mix.
I wouldn’t want to hurt my predatory mites 😁
But for big ingestations of gnats predatory mites will not work to control the population of gnats they just reproduce too fast for mites to keep up.
I keep predatory mites to prevent spider mites on my alocasia plants since they are spider mite magnets. They draw them in with the smell the alocasia plant releases.
I just don’t want you to go out and waste money on predatory mites when they will likely not be effective.
@COPlantMom Your right lady bugs 🐞 will be great! Unfortunately, I have allergies otherwise I would happily house a colony in my house 😊, plus they are really cute 🥰
2nd @TheFernFae I've been using it 2-3 months now in every watering can and see a big reduction. Consistency is key.
Please be careful using peppermint oil if you have cats! It's very toxic (as are a lot of essential oils). Other than that, variations on that recipe April @theoddasity) posted are really versatile and work a treat 🥰
I can paste my Gnat War guide here if you like (I wrote it myself and saved it because it's a common issue we all have!) but it's quite long for a comment so just let me know lol 🤣
The main thing is to be consistent and to KEEP GOING with whatever you try. I find three pronged approach works best (adults, larvae, food source), for me anyway, but you need to keep it up for at least three weeks (lifecycle if the Gnat is around a month), preferably longer to be sure you got them all! Lol x
I can paste my Gnat War guide here if you like (I wrote it myself and saved it because it's a common issue we all have!) but it's quite long for a comment so just let me know lol 🤣
The main thing is to be consistent and to KEEP GOING with whatever you try. I find three pronged approach works best (adults, larvae, food source), for me anyway, but you need to keep it up for at least three weeks (lifecycle if the Gnat is around a month), preferably longer to be sure you got them all! Lol x
I'm SURE they are April! @theoddasity) 😂😂 They seem to know what plants NOT to nibble on for example lol (but I don't use essential oils or have lilies in the house just in case... We have one total idiot that would no doubt do herself a mischief given half an opportunity! 😹) x
Hi Olivia! Gnats can be a real pain, but there are a few things you can try to get rid of them:
* Reduce moisture: Gnats are attracted to moist soil. Let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings. You can also improve drainage by adding perlite or pumice to your potting mix.
* Yellow sticky traps: These traps are very effective at catching gnats. Place a few traps near your plants to catch the adults.
* Neem oil: Neem oil is a natural insecticide that can help to control gnat populations. Mix a few drops of neem oil with water and spray your plants.
* Beneficial nematodes: These tiny worms can help to control gnat larvae in the soil. You can purchase beneficial nematodes online or at your local garden center.
If you're still struggling with gnats after trying these methods, you may need to repot your plants in fresh, sterile soil.
* Reduce moisture: Gnats are attracted to moist soil. Let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings. You can also improve drainage by adding perlite or pumice to your potting mix.
* Yellow sticky traps: These traps are very effective at catching gnats. Place a few traps near your plants to catch the adults.
* Neem oil: Neem oil is a natural insecticide that can help to control gnat populations. Mix a few drops of neem oil with water and spray your plants.
* Beneficial nematodes: These tiny worms can help to control gnat larvae in the soil. You can purchase beneficial nematodes online or at your local garden center.
If you're still struggling with gnats after trying these methods, you may need to repot your plants in fresh, sterile soil.
I use need oil end of product I found on TikTok. It’s called plant Tista
