Fungus gnat experiment #569

[Star Dog]

I don't wtf to think that's another 3 gnats this morning a cursed pair was in coitus, jeez that's close!

There's none in/around the pots or tent area I couldn't find one outside the tent if my life depended on it the fkrs are still hatching inside I'm 99.999% certain?

If I could turn back the clock I'd try smoke bombs on them, I've read recently they kill eggs to adults and continue to work for a bit after treatment.

They're only £3.50 so I picked up a few to try.

I've put soil from greenhouse pots that's gnat infested in a bucket and covered it I just need to wait now to see gnats then I'm smoking it to see if that kills them off completely?

Fwiw the bag I sealed on or before 2nd Oct hasn't hatched anymore gnats since.

 

[Drop That Sound]

Effects of ethylene oxide on soil microbial content and some soil chemical characteristics - Plant and Soil

The effects of ethylene oxide (EtO) on survival of soil microflora and on selected chemical properties of a sandy-loam soil were examined.Soil sterilization was achieved after 8 hours exposure to EtO. Ethylene oxide treatment increased soil pH and organic matter content. Extractable Mn and Fe...

link.springer.com

Abstract
The effects of ethylene oxide (EtO) on survival of soil microflora and on selected chemical properties of a sandy-loam soil were examined.
Soil sterilization was achieved after 8 hours exposure to EtO. Ethylene oxide treatment increased soil pH and organic matter content. Extractable Mn and Fe slightly increased whereas P content decreased. Total N was not affected by the treatment.

Ahhh, good 'ole ethylene oxide.. one of the most toxic man made substances ever made, and still widely used today for sterilization of medical equipment and some foods, etc..

Still, takes at least 8 hours to effectively gas out all the life forms in the soil..

 

[Star Dog]

I tried ipa @20% on larvea which appeared to kill them now I'm wondering if I really just drowned them?

I'm trying 20% ipa again so after applying it I seen a larvea surface which I caught, I tried 20/40% on it (without drowning) but it was still able to move so I tried 99% that killed outright, 60% ipa seems the next logical but I needed done by this point.

I gave the plant producing most gnats a rinse with 99% ipa for about 5 minutes then rinsed it away, not killing or wilting the plant would be a good start, let's see what happens?

Everthing I'd observed suggested they don't mate stuck inside the bag but then yesterday I killed a mating pair so that's quite a contradiction, so how are they not multiplying in the sealed pots?

 

[medidedicated]

I tried ipa @20% on larvea which appeared to kill them now I'm wondering if I really just drowned them?

I'm trying 20% ipa again so after applying it I seen a larvea surface which I caught, I tried 20/40% on it (without drowning) but it was still able to move so I tried 99% that killed outright, 60% ipa seems the next logical but I needed done by this point.

I gave the plant producing most gnats a rinse with 99% ipa for about 5 minutes then rinsed it away, not killing or wilting the plant would be a good start, let's see what happens?

Everthing I'd observed suggested they don't mate stuck inside the bag but then yesterday I killed a mating pair so that's quite a contradiction, so how are now multiplying in the sealed pots?

Just to recap, that plant you posted on like page 4 or 5 that is in coco? It was sealed from the very beginning since planting like Im now trying? Whats ipa, not isopropyl is it? I get my athena ipm today.

From rereading page 4 or 5 you think they can only last 7 weeks dormant as eggs? Does this mean you think dry brick coco should be good? Should I still treat it with athena ipm?

Asking too many questions lol but thats all I have for questions. If athena ipm dont work as strong as I thought it would maybe debydrating them and/or freezing/baking them to death would help.

Ill need like 4-7 weeks of no gnats spotted to start claiming some success. Really its few weeks into flower in a warmer room that I see them just 2 wks into flower.

 

[conor c]

I tried ipa @20% on larvea which appeared to kill them now I'm wondering if I really just drowned them?

I'm trying 20% ipa again so after applying it I seen a larvea surface which I caught, I tried 20/40% on it (without drowning) but it was still able to move so I tried 99% that killed outright, 60% ipa seems the next logical but I needed done by this point.

I gave the plant producing most gnats a rinse with 99% ipa for about 5 minutes then rinsed it away, not killing or wilting the plant would be a good start, let's see what happens?

Everthing I'd observed suggested they don't mate stuck inside the bag but then yesterday I killed a mating pair so that's quite a contradiction, so how are now multiplying in the sealed pots?

Really strong chill powder like Carolina reaper chilli powder for example and water idk if you tried that at this stage might be worth a try might not kill em it should push em out the dirt though

 

[Star Dog]

Just to recap, that plant you posted on like page 4 or 5 that is in coco? It was sealed from the very beginning since planting like Im now trying? Whats ipa, not isopropyl is it? I get my athena ipm today.

From rereading page 4 or 5 you think they can only last 7 weeks dormant as eggs? Does this mean you think dry brick coco should be good? Should I still treat it with athena ipm?

Asking too many questions lol but thats all I have for questions. If athena ipm dont work as strong as I thought it would maybe debydrating them and/or freezing/baking them to death would help.

Ill need like 4-7 weeks of no gnats spotted to start claiming some success. Really its few weeks into flower in a warmer room that I see them just 2 wks into flower.

Hey bud, yes those pots are coco fibre, i put the pots in bags 2nd October and also sealed up that other bag, I was basing 7 weeks on the time they've been sealed but idk what stage I sealed them in at so I'd add a few weeks to be safe.
(Ipa = Isopropyl alcohol)
Coco ime hasn't ever given me gnats idk the reasons for that but I've grown a few years without ever dealing with fungus gnats.

My problem is also in flower where it's warmer and generally better managed they multiply 100 fold in no time.

I received those paint bags so I'm going to put the plants in them over the weekend and maybe start cloning replacements idk?

 

[Star Dog]

OK so I wouldn't go down that road 99% ipa for 5 mins isn’t looking great after 12 hrs.

I'm super pissed at myself for being a jackass, I sealed pots during last crop.

Instead of taking care and paying close attention I opened them like a neanderthal then didn't even test the coco for larvae, that would've been a good indicator for long term after covering pots?

 

[Star Dog]

I got another gnat today I'm sick looking at those things but they can't last much longer surely.

I got paint bags to try then decided they're fine when I went to order more I seen these 120 micron with a tie ready to use and they're a closer size to my pots.

My tent is filtered but if it wasn't I'd arrange some of those paint bags over the inlets to stop any bugs getting in.

 

[Star Dog]

So it was last wed/thurs I seen the last gnat I can almost taste success

I've had a bunch of seedlings in another tent and theres no signs of any gnats there either, the plants are still in the bags tbf they doing alright.

It's surprising how well they're doing sealed in bags.

 

[Samwiseman420]

So it was last wed/thurs I seen the last gnat I can almost taste success

I've had a bunch of seedlings in another tent and theres no signs of any gnats there either, the plants are still in the bags tbf they doing alright.
View attachment 5443092 View attachment 5443094 View attachment 5443096
It's surprising how well they're doing sealed in bags.

Nice! Do you have a link for those 120 micron bags?

 

[Star Dog]

Nice! Do you have a link for those 120 micron bags?

These are the other ones I got.

20x30cm Micron Reusable Nylon Mesh Food Strainer Filter Bag for Nut Milk Coffee | eBay

Material: Food Grade Nylon. Acid proof, Alkali proof High temperature resistance.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[kingzt]

Does anyone know how many mosquito dunks I would need for a 50 gal rez?

 

[Oliver Pantsoff]

Update on mine. Still have adults flying around. Especially on top of the soil. I have no idea where they are coming from. They are also INSIDE of the bags all trapped and going nuts. I'm scratching my head trying to figure out how they got there. I think they may be hatching from inside the soil and getting out thru the holes in the bottom of the pots. Then they crawl up the sides of the pots and get stuck there. The ones on top of the soil may be hatching close to the top. Otherwise I'm clueless on how they are getting where they are.

The leaves are awesome tho. Not a mark them. Most likely because I'm spraying every 3 days and killing the babies. I'm going to keep that up for another week and then I have to stop because of the buds.

Getting sick of them tho. Wonder how the mushroom business is these days?

Are you positive that they're gnats and not root aphids?

OP

 

[Samwiseman420]

Are you positive that they're gnats and not root aphids?

OP

yes. gnats and thrips.

 

[Star Dog]

I think it's safe to say they're gone this time
It's been two weeks since I squished a gnat?

I've not been in a hurry to swap the mesh bags it's a pain and they're doing fine as they are so there's no rush.

Fingers crossed!

 

[medidedicated]

In couple days will he 3 wks no gnats in the socked up clones that were socked since planting them. Its in cool basement so I think its soon to say. Will know when I flip them.

 

[medidedicated]

I almost screwed up leaving a infested clone connected to shared drippers with other plants. Usually water is plugged up in the lines but I wouldnt put it past them that they could still travel to other plants. Beware lol. Dtw coco.

 

[Star Dog]

I almost screwed up leaving a infested clone connected to shared drippers with other plants. Usually water is plugged up in the lines but I wouldnt put it past them that they could still travel to other plants. Beware lol. Dtw coco.

Do you think they're capable of searching around for a way into pots, as in squeezing through a gap left in a bag for example, them squeezing out of a gap to escape a pot I'd expect but squeezing into a gap to get in I'm not sure about?

 

[medidedicated]

Do you think they're capable of searching around for a way into pots, as in squeezing through a gap left in a bag for example, them squeezing out of a gap to escape a pot I'd expect but squeezing into a gap to get in I'm not sure about?

They cant get in or out due to panty hose and bug jell trap applied to that area or otherwise yea Id worry if thats what you mean. If you mean rather they can crawl through the dripper to a manifold into another plant through its dripper idk. Was going to put something over the dripper.

Thing is if you dont have drippers then idk I dont think they can get through if its tight enough over one thing instead of a stem and two drippers. I have anti siphon holes I tied panty over at the reservoir so with all that I dont think they can travel anywhere.

Its hard to say its why I put bug jell trap and may have to around the drippers to be sure.

 

[medidedicated]

When I look at them they look huge too big to squeeze in and out a crack but the bug jell helps if not solves that. Id just worry about it getting wet and washing away its meant to for our convenience.