fungus gnats help

[sparty]

I just started to flower in soil. gnats are everywhere in soil what should i do?

 

[the widowman]

use sand as a mulch on all your plants. even all your house plants.

 

[sparty]

I dont mean to sound stupid, but put a layer of sand on top, and just water thru sand like normal?

 

[the widowman]

I dont mean to sound stupid, but put a layer of sand on top, and just water thru sand like normal?

yes this is the only way to guarentee they wont affect your plants. you wont be able to get rid of them. but the sand stops them from nibbling your plants top roots. so every time you repot dont forget the sand layer on top. corse grit sand is best.

 

[sparty]

what about also flushing the soil with gognats or something similar

 

[the widowman]

what about also flushing the soil with gognats or something similar

the sand is the only effective way. just make sure the top roots are covered with sand and you'll be able to grow weed.

 

[sparty]

i really appreciate your help. last question? i have read some people say the sand will restrict oxygen to the roots or plant. what do you think of this? sincerely sparty

 

[the widowman]

i really appreciate your help. last question? i have read some people say the sand will restrict oxygen to the roots or plant. what do you think of this? sincerely sparty

as long as its about 1cm thick the roots get lots of oxygen. sand is added to soil mixs to get air to the roots so you make your own conclusions.

 

[TheCaptain]

Forget the sand as an absolute fix. Buy some predatory nematodes to kill off the fungus gnat larvae.

 

[newparadigm]

been having the same problem with my dwarf lime tree. those lil bastards ate all the new growth and congregated in hordes around the lower trunk. are we talking about the same critters? I used killing soap, flowering plant insect killing spray, and all I needed was sand? I thought they were the ones responsible for eating the tender new growth... should i be looking for another culprit if they like roots instead? thanks for the help dudes

 

[blacfox]

hey would vermiculite have the same effect of sand?

 

[the widowman]

hey would vermiculite have the same effect of sand?

dunno but perlite has the same effect as sand. they cant reach the roots if you use perlite.

 

[blacfox]

i think im gonna use a circle of plastic with a slit in it to cover the soil and then hold it in place with a circle of cardboard

 

[LAX Skunky BwS]

get some yellow sticky fly traps them stupid ass gnats will fly on them bitches