gnats... please help

[demonik]

Like many of you i developed a gnat problem.  I bought some neem and did what the directions and this forum said to do.  At first it seemed like it was working, and when i went to move the plants to a different room (for more light), the gnats came back 10x worse and I don't know what to do.  Does any one know of any thing safe, for plant and me, that I can use to rid my plants of these pest?   

[NGT-C]

i have a lot of gnats too, do they even harm the plant of are they just a nuisance?
i see them landing on the under side of the leaves but i dont think i see any damage.

[Gorlax]

Housplant & Garden insect spray by Gardensafe at Home Depot. Works Well.

^ kills the above ground gnats but larvae stay safe in soil so try this. Wrap the top of the soil with saran wrap making sure to go around the stem of your plant. leave a little slit for watering. leave this on their and continue to use the spray. I'm not really sure how this worked I just did it to keep the gnats in the soil and it actually killed them all off, probably because of the dryness of the soil except for one specific spot. try it out it worked for me.

[NGT-C]

i was thinking the same thing gorlax, except i think cheesecloth or finer might work better , its a little more air permeable then saran  rap you know
also you could water thought it!! humm......... i might have to try this........

[Paradoxic]

The best fungus gnat control I have found is Bt, read about it here:
http://www.salviasource.org/forum/pestsproblems/organic-pesticides-part-ii-using-'bt'-to-control-fungus-gnats-and-more/0/

[Jupe]

Bt is also fairly safe. Only thing for caterpillars as well, I just used some, as our Coastal Live  oaks are currently being DECIMATED by worms.....shit is falling from the sky....like rain...its a bummer.....maybe drought conditions.

 Gnats indicate "perhaps" too rich organics, or undecomposed compost or plant matter, coupled with constant moisture....drying cycles help this, as does a more balanced soilprofile.  Rich nitrogen apps. can foster weird stuff going on.....its a hot molecule.

[joefromsac]

I agree with Paradox, BT has worked best for me. I have a 5 gallon bucket constantly full of water with a BT mosquito dunk floating in it. I water ONLY with this bucket. In a few weeks you should be nearly gnat free.

Also a good soil drench of Neem works great.

Plastic wrap the soil... I think could have very bad adverse effects. The soil needs to breath as do the roots. Cheesecloth wouldn't be a bad idea though.

[bifster]

I have a bit of a gnat problem myself that has just emerged in the past week or so.  God knows I don't want anything eating my plant's roots, so I'm purchasing some mosquito dunk ASAP!!!  Question though:  how exactly do you use mosquito dunk with a plant watered by a wicking system like mine?  Do you just add it to the water that's being carried up by the wicking?  Do you add it to the water you use to mist everyday?

[joefromsac]

I have a bit of a gnat problem myself that has just emerged in the past week or so.  God knows I don't want anything eating my plant's roots, so I'm purchasing some mosquito dunk ASAP!!!  Question though:  how exactly do you use mosquito dunk with a plant watered by a wicking system like mine?  Do you just add it to the water that's being carried up by the wicking?  Do you add it to the water you use to mist everyday?

I'd break a dunk into 1/4 and drop it in your reservoir.
I've never used a wick system...some I'm not sure the rope wont work as a filter to keep the BT out though...

[bifster]

Ah thanks.  Sorry to be repetitive by posting twice...I always have a lot of questions.   

[Sea Mac]

Ah thanks.  Sorry to be repetitive by posting twice...I always have a lot of questions.   

The only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask.

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