100% solution to Fungus Gnats?

[maryjohn]

Fungus gnats, shore flies, moth flies, and March flies thrive under moist conditions, especially where there is an abundance of decaying vegetation and fungi; avoid overwatering and provide good drainage. Allow the surface of container soil to dry between waterings.

works 100%. Every time. Are you o overwatering? Are you sure? Ask the gnats.

 

[Mr. Greengenes]

I think a fundamental question here is, what's the matter with the gnats? Far as I can see, the worst part about them is they fly up your nose.

 

[WJS]

I think a fundamental question here is, what's the matter with the gnats? Far as I can see, the worst part about them is they fly up your nose.

Not so much the adult gnats that are the problem, it is their larvae that cause damage. They harm the plant's roots, IIRC.

 

[sackoweed]

I also think them lil bastards like to be in wet soil that has fish ferts in it.. Cos my nephew uses a fish fert sometimes and after he last used it BAM there were the lil fockers flying in and out of his pots... Gnatrol works after a good cycle.. I think hydroforme420's idea is a good one and will tell my nephew.. peace.


sack

 

[Mr. Greengenes]

I've had plenty of gnats around, but I've never had a problem with them, or seen any signs of damaged roots. Maybe I'm using the wrong (or right) kind of soilmix.

 

[JackTheGrower]

works 100%. Every time. Are you o overwatering? Are you sure? Ask the gnats.

Oh yeah I have just the right stuff for the gnats.. Not so much over watering but a really great environment complete with humidity and food..

I will apply the nematodes..

For those who have gnats and need to lure the flying adults away from the garden then they will fly from the hot light to the cooler shade and also they will fly out of the dark to the light so two ways to lure some out.

Best to do more than that but in a pinch it helps..

 

[JackTheGrower]

Not so much the adult gnats that are the problem, it is their larvae that cause damage. They harm the plant's roots, IIRC.

I read that as well.. I am also not wanting their bodies stuck to the buds!

Just wanted to make sure the cure wasn't a new problem.

Alright thanks for the replies and I have that purchase on the list!

I'll report on my experiences.

 

[HeadyPete]

This thread is messed up or my computer is..... test test

 

[HeadyPete]

So it appears the nems worked as advertised.....great news for those with gnats.

Another great method to drastically reducing the number of pests in the garden involves filtering the intake air of a contained space. I run a filter box and a 3M 20" x 20" furnace filter on my intake, best one I can get, and I have literally had 1 gnat prob and 2 separate thrip issues over the years, all dealt with swiftly and 100% effectively. I change out the filter every 6 months or so and it is the best $30 i spend on that garden.....that filter catches who knows how many gnats, molds, spores, fungi etc ( and lint!) and keeps it out of my garden and away from my plants.

 

[maryjohn]

I just tried an experiment in my fungus gnat free soil: I kept the soil moist for a week while testing vacation watering setup. Result: fungus gnats. They are caused by too much moisture, nothing more.

 

[magiccannabus]

I've never "seen" a nematode in my mix, but after adding soil from an old forest into my compost tea, fungus gnats always die off in a couple of days of appearing. Coincidence?

 

[HeadyPete]

nematodes are microscopic

 

[Clackamas Coot]

Beneficial nematodes are available if that's the direction you want to go with.

Just a thought.

CC

 

[JackTheGrower]

I don't have a major gnat problem but i have enough to offer a test of the nematodes I will buy later this week..
I find that yellow sticky traps are a great investment also even if all they catch is dust.

We will see if I can go from a few to none.

Agreed that moist + food = gnats

Also I agree with the filter on the box! Both intake and exhaust.. Guano and other "fines" can clog up carbon and rogue pollen might be an issue if you have more than one "ladies room" I guess..

I'll update with a product review when I know more.

 

[Clackamas Coot]

At the risk of repeating myself, apply 1/4 cup of neem seed meal (aka neem seed cake) on the top of your soil as a dressing and water as usual.

Buh-bye gnats!

Just a thought.

CC

 

[JackTheGrower]

At the risk of repeating myself, apply 1/4 cup of neem seed meal (aka neem seed cake) on the top of your soil as a dressing and water as usual.

Buh-bye gnats!

Just a thought.

CC

I see you like that meal.. What nutrients does it provide? I'm wondering if I should use it as a top dressing material in conjunction with other materials.

 

[Clackamas Coot]

From their web site: "Neem Seed Meal is great for improving plant immunity and helping to balance nutrient and trace element levels in the soil. Beneficial in increasing the growth of foliage and bud sets, strengthening root systems, and improving the general appearance of fruits and vegetables."

Cheers!

CC

 

[HeadyPete]

Does neem oil insecticide work? Some gardeners question the usefulness of neem insecticide.

They sprayed neem oil, and did not see an immediate effect. They probably did not understand how neem oil affects insects.

Neem oil does work, but the way it works is different from other insecticides. Neem is not an instant, knock down, kill everything pesticide.

Neem oil affects insects in many different, ingenious and subtle ways.
How neem oil messes with the insects' brains and bodies

Neem oil has many complex active ingredients. Rather than being simple poisons, those ingredients are similar to the hormones that insects produce. Insects take up the neem oil ingredients just like natural hormones.

Neem enters the system and blocks the real hormones from working properly. Insects "forget" to eat, to mate, or they stop laying eggs. Some forget that they can fly. If eggs are produced they don't hatch, or the larvae don't moult.

Obviously insects that are too confused to eat or breed will not survive. The population eventually plummets, and they disappear. The cycle is broken.

How precisely it works is difficult for scientists to find out. There are too many different active substances in neem oil, and every insect species reacts differently to neem insecticide.

Neem oil does not hurt beneficial insects. Only chewing and sucking insects are affected. It is certainly fascinating.

Like real hormones, neem oil insecticide works at very low concentrations, in the parts per million range. A little neem oil goes a long way.

But this is not something that happens over night. People spray neem oil as insecticide, and expect everything to die instantly, because that's what they are used to from chemical poisons. When that does not happen they conclude neem insecticide does not work

Read more: http://www.discoverneem.com/neem-oil-insecticide.html#ixzz0NqTrN0QB

http://www.discoverneem.com/neem-oil-insecticide.html

 

[Clackamas Coot]

^^Word!

 

[JackTheGrower]

Interesting.. Okay thanks CC and HeadyPete..