Fungus gnats

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Permalink Reply by Brian Gandy on February 1, 2011 at 10:35pm

Get some sticky traps.  Fungus gnats like the yellow ones.  This will not get them all but will greatly reduce the numbers.  A pyrethrin based spray is also effective on the flying adults.  Some products containing Bt (bacillus thuringiensis) can be used to control the larval forms in the soil.

 

Prevention is key.  Buy good quality potting soil or make your own with some compost, perlite and peat or coco.

Permalink Reply by Margaret Beers Oliver on February 3, 2011 at 2:17pm

try spraying you soil with a mixture of some water with some dish soap thrown in. I have used that with success before. Someone else I know uses DE dusted on the surface of the soil.

 

Permalink Reply by Kali on March 4, 2011 at 5:52pm

Perfect timing... One of my trusty houseplants (and by trusty I mean permentantly affected to some degree with scales) just yesterday errupted into a fungus gnat pit.  I have NO idea where they sprung from.  I've had this plant for a few years now with no environment changes.

In yesterday's search I found various suggestions.. the two that stuck were Provado spray (not sure what's in it, but it might be a little strong for seedlings) and peppermint tea.  It sounds like the tea doesn't necessarily kill the flies, but it at least slows the fly output and eventually stops the issue.

Good luck!  I'm in that boat with you..

Permalink Reply by Ginny Hopper on July 30, 2011 at 11:49am

I set out small bowls of Apple Cider Vinegar and refill when they dry out. Works great!

Permalink Reply by Erica Strauss on August 3, 2011 at 11:51pm

I'd start by covering the seedling's soil with dry sand or vermiculite.

Permalink Reply by Ginny Hopper on August 4, 2011 at 7:58am

Erica, another thing I noticed is that they also will reproduce in the water left in the plant water tray. During hot dry seasons we tend to water more often and this creates a longer standing pool for them.  Fill the tray and suck out the water with a meat baster. You'll see the little larva floating around. Refill and re-suck them out until all gone. When you water your plants, after about an hour or so (after the plant has taken in all the water it needs) clean out  the rest and keep the water pan dry.