This is a new problem for me. Since I moved houseplants in from their summer vacation outdoors, we have been plagued with what I am assuming are fungus gnats. I did treat the plants with a systemic and a good cleaning and spray with horticulture oil before bringing them in. But these guys are just driving us nuts! I have been reading some ideas online, but am wondering if any of you have a good solution? Some things I've read : that they are attracted to yellow sticky stuff, lay potato slices on the surface of pot's soil to attract the larvae, hydrogen peroxide, cinnamon, etc. Just wondering...
Kay, the best thing to do is to let the soil dry between waterings. A little DE may help, too. You can buy it in small quantities from a place like rural king or an agricultural supply place. It is usually marketed as Red Lake DE. it is used as a dust for external parasites and added to their food for internal parasites and trace mineral additive. The peroxide may work. I have heard of it, and may have tried it, but don't remember if it really worked. Soapy water may do them in. too. Also put up a yellow sticky paper to catch the adult gnats.
Hey Carolyn, Thanks for the ideas. I will let the soil dry out, especially in the bigger containers that were outdoors. Is DE you mention diatomaceous earth?
Hey Kay...why don't you get yourself a Venus Flytrap and set it near your plants and use some sort of grow lamp. perhaps your VFT's will end your misery.
I have your answer.... gnat catcher See a small glass with a very little bit of red wine vinegar cover with saran wrap rubber band or tape it around the top of the glass. Poke good size holes in the top with a tooth pick and let it set. You will see them go toward the glass in minutes. The buggers will go in the holes and won't be able to get out and will die in there. I leave one in the kitchen and one in the pantry at all times. Also in the greenhouse all the time. It may take a few weeks to get rid of them but I have had places of business try it and it worked great for them.
Barb, have you tried this for fungus gnats or just fruit fly gnats? I normally don't see the fungus gnats anywhere but in the soil. I will have to try this if I have a problem with them this year.
It works for both Drosophila melanogaster, fruit flies and Bacillus thuringiensis, fungus gnats. They both love apple cider vinegar. I have not done fungus gnats in a long time but I use this in my house for fruit flies all the time. Don't you think it will work carolyn keiper?
I'm trying it tomorrow in my office!! I just brought in a pointsettia and noticed 2 gnats flying around the top of it :-x Probably hitched a ride from the nursery
I think you can also hang a dog flee collar in the area of the plant or bug and it will kill them or place the plant in a plastic bag with a flee collar. If you have a problem with fruit flies you should follow this rule. I do and I do.... Wash every inch of fruit especially bananas and apples. We bring home eggs on the fruit and they hatch in our home. Fungus gnats and fruit flies sometimes come home with us from the grocery store.
Red wine vinegar. The first time I did it I made very little holes in the plastic. That didn't work. I made them bigger, as the bugs were flying around the little glass, and they got in after that. Some restaurants and bars have the problem. Not sure if it's the same bug or another mini fly but they must like wine or booze. I have told them about it and after many unsuccessful professional exterminations my thingie worked. They just tuck the little glasses in an out of the way place and are amazed after a week how many little critters are floating in the glass.
Hey Barb, Thanks for the idea. that sounds like an easy one to try. Sjoerd, Now that is an interesting thought! I'm not sure I even know where to get a Venus Flytrap plant. And I think my silly Dolly cat might get her nose bitten by it! She is quite snoopy around the plants. Too bad she isn't helping rid us of these pesky pests!
