Little gnats on top of soil on 2 plants
- Thread starter M Pep
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vostok
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the Advanced end of RIU. Sciaridae are a popular form of parasite to many root zones of canna growers,
these buggers belong to the Diptera clan, along with the likes of butterflies too white flies, a big range to contend with
these black fungus gnats are harmless to the cannabis plant, as these flies eat rotting vegetation and buzz around the tree line
if you are so concerned spray 2x times a day with neem oil, 1x teaspoon to a pint hand sprayer fill with warm water and shake
these buggers belong to the Diptera clan, along with the likes of butterflies too white flies, a big range to contend with
these black fungus gnats are harmless to the cannabis plant, as these flies eat rotting vegetation and buzz around the tree line
if you are so concerned spray 2x times a day with neem oil, 1x teaspoon to a pint hand sprayer fill with warm water and shake
vostok
Well-Known Member
as a side note Sciaridae, are a good indication of how well composted your organics are,
the more flies the LESS good it is, as the soil will still be decomposing,
best to allow the soil to air out overnight in a warm place, to see if the eggs in the soil hatch out..or not
if they do hatch out return to vendor ..and bitch like hell!
the more flies the LESS good it is, as the soil will still be decomposing,
best to allow the soil to air out overnight in a warm place, to see if the eggs in the soil hatch out..or not
if they do hatch out return to vendor ..and bitch like hell!
TBoneJack
Well-Known Member
I'm an organic grower. I make my own Super Soil. My base soil is Roots Organic, which sometimes has a lot of fungus gnats in it. I'm assuming that your flies are fungus gnats.
These gnats are harmless as adults, but their larvae in the soil will eat plant roots until they emerge from the soil as adult gnats. So you definitely want to get rid of them ASAP.
There are two ways to safely get rid of them. I've used both, and both work.
1. Diametrius Earth (powder)
This is a fine powder. It is NOT a poison. It's a perfectly natural product that's safe for you, pets, plants, etc. It kills fungus gnat larvae in the soil by cutting them up as they wiggle through the soil. Although the stuff seems like a fine powder to us, it's actually like a bunch of jagged razor blades to the small gnat larvae. They get their asses sliced up as they try to emerge from the soil, before they can lay eggs. The method of use is to simply mix some of the powder into the top 2 inches of soil each time you transplant.
2. Tanlin Concentrate (liquid)
This is a sort of liquid form of Diametrius Earth. You simply add a few drops to your feed water the first 2 waterings after a transplant, or whenever you see gnats.
Again, I've used both methods and both work like a charm.
Both products can be found on Amazon.com.
These gnats are harmless as adults, but their larvae in the soil will eat plant roots until they emerge from the soil as adult gnats. So you definitely want to get rid of them ASAP.
There are two ways to safely get rid of them. I've used both, and both work.
1. Diametrius Earth (powder)
This is a fine powder. It is NOT a poison. It's a perfectly natural product that's safe for you, pets, plants, etc. It kills fungus gnat larvae in the soil by cutting them up as they wiggle through the soil. Although the stuff seems like a fine powder to us, it's actually like a bunch of jagged razor blades to the small gnat larvae. They get their asses sliced up as they try to emerge from the soil, before they can lay eggs. The method of use is to simply mix some of the powder into the top 2 inches of soil each time you transplant.
2. Tanlin Concentrate (liquid)
This is a sort of liquid form of Diametrius Earth. You simply add a few drops to your feed water the first 2 waterings after a transplant, or whenever you see gnats.
Again, I've used both methods and both work like a charm.
Both products can be found on Amazon.com.
Last edited:
Punk
Well-Known Member
A chemical free way to rid them is using locking landscape sand on the top layer(found at home depot and places like) . Apply a half inch or so and water your plant, when it drys, the sand locks tight and creates impossible conditions for laying eggs, which stops the cycle. Leave it on for a few waterings and peel it off when its dry. You can even reuse the sand.
I use organic soil too and gnats are often a problem. With a product called Gnats-off i keep them at bay, with continuous use of it with every watering for 1 month, they are eradicated completely. I always make sure i use Gnats-off with seedlings, as that's where gnats can mostly hurt your plants. I think Gnatrol is the same product, but with much more concentrated dosage. Bti is the ingredient that helps in every case with gnats if i am not mistaken. It won't be a problem with organics too.
researching
Well-Known Member
As mentioned....
Diatomaceous earth works
Sand on top of soil/medium
Sprays. Neem, Gnats Off, Organocide etc...
Mosquito dunks used for ponds broken up and added to feed water kills larvae
Bottom feeding
They like moisture so if you leave the top dry they don't have a place to lay their eggs. The upside as mentioned is that they are harmless unless in large amounts then could get stuck to your flowers. A yellow sticky trap helps too.
Diatomaceous earth works
Sand on top of soil/medium
Sprays. Neem, Gnats Off, Organocide etc...
Mosquito dunks used for ponds broken up and added to feed water kills larvae
Bottom feeding
They like moisture so if you leave the top dry they don't have a place to lay their eggs. The upside as mentioned is that they are harmless unless in large amounts then could get stuck to your flowers. A yellow sticky trap helps too.
F.White
Well-Known Member
If anyone is still paying attention to this. I used a product called gnatrol for my soil plants. That seems to work great. In hydro I haven't had the same success. I think it's mainly due to the fact I grow in Rockwool. If I switch to clay pebbles does anyone think that will improve my chances of eliminating these little fuckers? I just feel like the Rockwool is a breeding ground...