Sand to get rid of pests??

Im having a problem, I have these lil black gnats (I think) in my soil!! I read on here that someone said to put a thin layer of sand on the top of your soil, well I just picked up some sand but before I do this would like to get other opinions also picked up Garden Safe Insecticidal Soap insect killer, for the future hopefully I wont have to use it but better to be safe then sorry!! please help!!thks

the sand will help, but let your soil totally dry before watering again and your problem will be solved!

ive heard that this works.
1 inch of sand, then water from the drain holes

havent tried it yet and still have gnats
i think thats my next move
if that doesnt work im thinking toxic chemicals

btw ive tried diatomatious earth(no effect)
go-gnats smelled nice but thats all
have some tomato spray that kills ok but never gets rid of them
sticky strips do help

Man thks is that the case though, gnats that live in the soil?? And they die off if the soil is totally dry??

yeh same problem here, i tried a insect killer called Seven, then yesterday i saw a spider in there, went to kill it, then was like you know what, natural pest control.. hehe

i was thinking praying mantis, then forgot

might try that

when my soil gets dry the plants wilt(not at the same time either)

What do you mean about the soil being dry and stinkincatfish?
my soil can be totally dry and my plant won't wilt for a day or two. I also use liquid silica so I think that helps. I've had terrible gnats and it was from overwatering it's just that simple. What kind of soil are you guys using that has the gnats?

I used M.G. moisture control, not the greatest I know, Im into my first week flowering when I noticed, hopefully the sand suffocates them and I will let the soil go dry before watering again, just dont know how the sand is gonna affect my soil when I water, any advice??

You need to get some beneficial nematodes. Diatomaceous Earth will work as long as it doesn't get wet. Sand will not affect the soil/plants in a negative way. People add it to soil and use it as a hydroponic medium.

by the time my plants wilt i figure the dirt is pretty dry.

but i still have gnats.

i try to water just befor this point but since some plants drink more than others
ill catch some wilting from time to time.

i guess what im saying is weed likes dry soil and gnats seem to like weed.

predator bugs thats what im saying. ill soon be infested in praying manti

I'm pretty sure I got them from the Organic MG and overwatering. Organic decomposition is a big cause of Whiteflies and Fungus Gnats. I checked them about an hour ago and there was ONE fly in there and I killed it. Running out now to get the sand. You should try the 80% Distilled water with 20% Hydrogen Peroxide and pour enough in there to completey cover all your soil. It will kill the eggs that are brewing down in your soil. Last night I had a few hundred flies. After the watering and Fungicide3 spray I had but nearly ONE adult today. I'm pretty satisfied. GOOD LUCK! OH! The Fungicide3 is a 3 way combo spray... Fungicide/Insecticide/Miticide. The flies produce a sap they say that can create mold on your leaves... This spray covers it all. It's derived from Neem Oil. I hope all you guys get rid of your gnats too!

OH! I also forgot! Ladybugs are the BEST way to naturally control the gnats. I'm going to see if I can get like 5 of em and put them in the room with them. Ladybugs rock and will not harm your plants whatsoever! They eat ALL plant pests...

cool thanks