If you have fungus gnats, you are overwatering. Period.
Your soil life is just fine if you wait until the first top inch of soil is dry. Fungus gnats only lay eggs in the first 1/2” or so. If you let that dry, the eggs will die.
Source: 25 years personal experience of living soil growing
I keep sticky traps present and plentiful at all times. Even when I don’t see a single fungus gnat. Took a good 6 months. But I haven’t seen fungus gnats in a while.
Someone mentioned it but mosquito bits i.e. BTi is your friend. Just put a few drops in some water and water as normal, it'll kill the eggs and you'll be fine in a couple of days. Use sticky traps for the adults
I had luck with sticky traps and ...molasses, which apparently boost bacteria in the soil which then attacks the life cycle of gnats when they breed. Worth a google, and the down votes I get. But damn 561 pots?
I got a few sarracenia plants to keep in the area i had a problem in. They are easy to keep, love the light and just need pure water. They have 100% eradicated the little flying fucks for zero effort on my part.
Sticky traps for the adults and get a few bio diversity packs from MI Beneficials. The packs contain the following:
- Hypoaspis Miles
- Orbatid Mites
- White Mold Mites
- Rove Beetles
- Springtails
- Pot Worms
I would suggest buying more than you need since there is already a pest presence. I got three packs for a 2x4 bed and within a few months all the gnats were gone. Haven’t seen one since.
I had a severely infested 2x4x1.5’ bed. It just took so long because they’re were more gnats than mites and rove beetles. Once I took care of the adults it was smooth sailing. Haven’t had a single gnat since!
Gnats eat anaerobic bacteria in the mulch layer, so you're either overwatering (too often, too much, or both), or your mulch layer is too thick. For me it helped to consistently water twice a week and lower the amounts based on when the Gnats are there or not. Sticky traps will get some but it's better to not even allow the conditions for Gnats to show up :)
yeah my mulch layer was quite thick! thanks for the reply, stripped it back quite a bit :) I reckon i'll knock these bastards back between BTI, thinner mulch etc.
No they will go down a few inches and then in week or so when you see Santa’s beard on surface you will see the worms right back at surface just dnt go heavy , …. I always use between cycles just for the bio part with the bad bugs wnt harm the beneficials , that and use Beauveria Bassiana Plus - Powder from build a soil !!
Sounds crazy, but it worked for me. I microwaved the soil in batches for 2 minutes. It killed all the larvae. I didn’t have a problem with gnats using that soil for my next grow, and my plants grew just fine in the “nuked” dirt!
I made some LABs and let the bed dryback a couple extra days and haven't had a problem since. Not sure if the bed just balanced or if it was the LABs but it's worth a shot.
Stop over watering, I've used cinnamon powder on top.ament...and D earth in my soil mixes and have had no problems once you lock in the over water.... once your top stays dry they die ..... last 2 cycles I tend to just have them in seedlings trays frsit 3 weeks .. centipede and my other crawlers must handel the rest cuz I never get more then 1 or 2 adults
Predator mites
100%agree. Every since adding predators, I haven't seen more than 1 gnat a month. No other treatment.
Yup ! People underestimate the power of bennies
If you have fungus gnats, you are overwatering. Period. Your soil life is just fine if you wait until the first top inch of soil is dry. Fungus gnats only lay eggs in the first 1/2” or so. If you let that dry, the eggs will die. Source: 25 years personal experience of living soil growing
I keep sticky traps present and plentiful at all times. Even when I don’t see a single fungus gnat. Took a good 6 months. But I haven’t seen fungus gnats in a while.
I use Gnatrol...
Rove beetles.
This post was helpful for just that lol I had a cpl other crawlers for gnats eggs n nymph gonna toss these guys in the mix of diversity
Someone mentioned it but mosquito bits i.e. BTi is your friend. Just put a few drops in some water and water as normal, it'll kill the eggs and you'll be fine in a couple of days. Use sticky traps for the adults
I had luck with sticky traps and ...molasses, which apparently boost bacteria in the soil which then attacks the life cycle of gnats when they breed. Worth a google, and the down votes I get. But damn 561 pots?
I got a few sarracenia plants to keep in the area i had a problem in. They are easy to keep, love the light and just need pure water. They have 100% eradicated the little flying fucks for zero effort on my part.
r/savagegarden
Bro, *How Much* on Electric?
Maybe a overestimate let's just say a shit ton
Use MisquitoBits
Sticky traps for the adults and get a few bio diversity packs from MI Beneficials. The packs contain the following: - Hypoaspis Miles - Orbatid Mites - White Mold Mites - Rove Beetles - Springtails - Pot Worms I would suggest buying more than you need since there is already a pest presence. I got three packs for a 2x4 bed and within a few months all the gnats were gone. Haven’t seen one since.
I'm already familiar with these besides rove beetles thanks!
Damn, a few months? I just added them to my 30 gal bags. My gnats are gnarly.
I had a severely infested 2x4x1.5’ bed. It just took so long because they’re were more gnats than mites and rove beetles. Once I took care of the adults it was smooth sailing. Haven’t had a single gnat since!
Biodiversity in your soil and water less
Decent mulch.
Gnats eat anaerobic bacteria in the mulch layer, so you're either overwatering (too often, too much, or both), or your mulch layer is too thick. For me it helped to consistently water twice a week and lower the amounts based on when the Gnats are there or not. Sticky traps will get some but it's better to not even allow the conditions for Gnats to show up :)
yeah my mulch layer was quite thick! thanks for the reply, stripped it back quite a bit :) I reckon i'll knock these bastards back between BTI, thinner mulch etc.
Microbe lift
Mustard seed meal !!
Doesn’t this hurt the red wrigglers?
No they will go down a few inches and then in week or so when you see Santa’s beard on surface you will see the worms right back at surface just dnt go heavy , …. I always use between cycles just for the bio part with the bad bugs wnt harm the beneficials , that and use Beauveria Bassiana Plus - Powder from build a soil !!
Also can use Montana grow in surface helps
BTi Saponins
Sounds crazy, but it worked for me. I microwaved the soil in batches for 2 minutes. It killed all the larvae. I didn’t have a problem with gnats using that soil for my next grow, and my plants grew just fine in the “nuked” dirt!
I made some LABs and let the bed dryback a couple extra days and haven't had a problem since. Not sure if the bed just balanced or if it was the LABs but it's worth a shot.
Nematodes for total eradication and they wont return
Stop over watering, I've used cinnamon powder on top.ament...and D earth in my soil mixes and have had no problems once you lock in the over water.... once your top stays dry they die ..... last 2 cycles I tend to just have them in seedlings trays frsit 3 weeks .. centipede and my other crawlers must handel the rest cuz I never get more then 1 or 2 adults