Simple Mulch question?

F

freshtodeath

Active Member
Hi guys,
I have some coco soil here and some perlite from previous grows, but im currently growing in soil, can I use either of these things as a 1-2" crop cover? mainly for gnat prevention tbh.
Thanks
 
A half inch layer of perilite could help prevent gnats. I use BT and yellow sticky traps. It helps for a few days, but after a watering they come back. I spray again. Neem oil seems to knock them back longer, I just don't like the smell.
 
warble said:
A half inch layer of perilite could help prevent gnats. I use BT and yellow sticky traps. It helps for a few days, but after a watering they come back. I spray again. Neem oil seems to knock them back longer, I just don't like the smell.
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Thanks, I just thought of Coco as a layer because when I previously grew with it, gnats wasn't one of the problems I had.
 
Hollatchaboy said:
Fungus gnats are attracted to decomposing organic matter. Coco with hydro nutes, doesn't have decomposing organic matter, so the gnats aren't as attracted to it.
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Ok, thanks, so in theory, a top layer of coco, with no nutes, could also be used as a barrier for them too?
 
Sorry but no. The top of the soil will still be a breeding ground for the gnats as they like moisture. Mosquito Bits (contain BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis)) can be used but take a few months to be effective. Alternative mulches: sand, straw, or my favorite arborist wood chips!
 
For the top you may as well have something that decomposes and gives back to the soil. Gnats come with the compost. Everytime i add it baby gnats pop out after a few days. But they re mostly gone by the end of the cycle with the yellow traps
 
I've tried everything over the years.. A 1" layer of sand works the best for gnat control..
It creates a impenetrable barrier.. No eggs, no larvae..
 
TCH said:
Please tell that to the gnats that have been driving me bananas this grow. Lol
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Have you had a gnat problem recently, before this grow? When I started my 1st coco run, after doing living soil, I had gnats. I used mosquito bits, and eradicated them. Now I have no gnats. No anything for that matter.
 
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