Have a lil fungus gnat problem

U

Urfacemypalm

Member
It doesn't seem to be affecting the plant, but I've been using some 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to try to thwart them a bit when the soil drys out. Doesnt seem to do much, maybe killed the larva but the flyers are still around. Thinking of letting it dry and trying the soap water solution. I'm rdy to flower so I want to get this under control so that it flowers correctly.

I also placed a bright yellow trap with honey on it and it hasn't done a thing.

Any ideas for a cost effective or free way of control and if i start the flowering cycle can i mix with the flowering nutrients?
 
fir3dragon

fir3dragon

Well-Known Member
When I get them I let my soil dry out until a slight droop. They are in the moist soil, so let it dry and they will leave. Works everytime for me
 
Crankyxr

Crankyxr

Well-Known Member
Urfacemypalm said:
It doesn't seem to be affecting the plant, but I've been using some 3% hydrogen peroxide solution to try to thwart them a bit when the soil drys out. Doesnt seem to do much, maybe killed the larva but the flyers are still around. Thinking of letting it dry and trying the soap water solution. I'm rdy to flower so I want to get this under control so that it flowers correctly.

I also placed a bright yellow trap with honey on it and it hasn't done a thing.

Any ideas for a cost effective or free way of control and if i start the flowering cycle can i mix with the flowering nutrients?
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Yellow strips and a good 2-3"s of sand on top of your soil should do the trick.
I had a very tough fight with them during my last run. I tried flushing with a shit ton of insecticides, dunks, sprays, etc. But what really did the job was the sand and the yellow strips. Good luck. It's a hard fight to win.
 
waterdawg

waterdawg

Well-Known Member
I had them with every soil grow i had and for the life of me i could not get rid of them. You r right that they didnt seem to hurt things but im sure if bad enough the little larvae that live in the roots could cause issues. Have heard that sharp sand on the top of the soil and around drain holes will kill them but it didnt work for me either. I just learned to live with them and washed buds before cure to remove the dead ones.
 
U

Urfacemypalm

Member
Thanks for the replies everyone. Heavily appreciated. Turns out this is almost an unavoidable task to prevent. Ill pick up some play sand, and place it after my next watering. Then I guess just dig the sand out before I water again after that. Ill use some hydrogen peroxide in my mixes also, think it will ruin the nutrients if I mix it with the water and nutes?
 
Adjorr

Adjorr

Well-Known Member
To get rid of them you will need to apply insecticidal soap to your soil/plants and wash every surface of the grow room with it. Then use the little yellow sticky fly traps all over the place to catch the adults. Fighting off any infestation is all about breaking the life cycle of the bug, for gnats the eggs are planted in moist soil, then the larva feed on roots until they morph into adults which fly around laying eggs. All three stages of there life must be attacked simultaneously for lasting results, and everything you do should be repeated once a week for 3 weeks and then again if they keep coming back for more. diatomaceous earth(sharp sand) is good to as it will help stop larva from exiting the soil and adults from laying eggs, but it should be part of a complete treatment.
 
J

joe macclennan

Well-Known Member
ughhhh, another newbie using the 3% peroxide. DO NOT USE THAT STUFF! it is not good for your plants.

If you want to use peroxide use either the horticultural or food grade h202.

and gnatrol works great for fg's. Do not use it with h202 tho.

good luck.
 
ltecato

ltecato

Well-Known Member
Fungus gnats aren't attracted to honey, but you can trap the adults by setting out shallow dishes or cups of soapy water. Sticky traps like flypaper will work as well. I've never tried adding sand, but I have heard that it doesn't always work because the little fukcers will just move to the drain holes at the bottom of your pots. I have had some success with mosquito dunks, which contain bacteria that will kill the larva. You can crumble them up and work them into the soil, or drop some into your watering containers. If you want to kill mites and have some fun in the process, I recommend a few carnivorous plants in the grow room, particularly the Drosera capensis or a Mexican sundew (Pinguicula). If you turn into a carnivore fan, you may end up wishing you had a few more gnats, just so you can get your evil jollies by watching them die. Bwa-ha-ha!
 
Adjorr

Adjorr

Well-Known Member
ltecato said:
Fungus gnats aren't attracted to honey, but you can trap the adults by setting out shallow dishes or cups of soapy water. Sticky traps like flypaper will work as well. I've never tried adding sand, but I have heard that it doesn't always work because the little fukcers will just move to the drain holes at the bottom of your pots. I have had some success with mosquito dunks, which contain bacteria that will kill the larva. You can crumble them up and work them into the soil, or drop some into your watering containers. If you want to kill mites and have some fun in the process, I recommend a few carnivorous plants in the grow room, particularly the Drosera capensis or a Mexican sundew (Pinguicula). If you turn into a carnivore fan, you may end up wishing you had a few more gnats, just so you can get your evil jollies by watching them die. Bwa-ha-ha!
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lol that is an awesome idea might try it myself
 
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