Declaration Of War On The Fungus Gnats

[vitruvius]

For the last three weeks I've been at war with these annoying Fungus gnats as the populations multiplied right under my nose. The first signs of attack, apart from seeing the odd one flying about is yellow spots appearing on the leaves. Further investigation of the topsoil revealed maggot type larvae. Now as opposed to spending £20 of my hard earned beer money on nematodes I took the DIY approach. I took care of the mothers with a vacuum cleaner nozzle, great satisfactory fun by the way. As for the larvae, I've stopped watering to let the soil dry and buried some slices of potato at the depth I found them feeding. Hopefully this will lure them to feed on the potato slices instead of the roots. Once the potato slices are riddled with larvae they can be binned and fresh slices put in place. Does any one else have any tips that I can use to win the war? I'd be grateful for your feedback.

 

[JM]

use mosquito dunks in your water... elimination!
http://www.amazon.com/Summit-111-5-Mosquito-Dunks-20-Pack/dp/B0002568YA

Another victory in the overgrow movement...

 

[Joe Dirt]

Gnats are very easily controlled without any toxins or potatoes. The last thing I would do is put something in the mix to encourage their replication (potato). Just get some play sand, or any kind of sand, and put about a 1" solid layer of sand on top of the mix. The gnats can't get back in the dirt to lay eggs and the larvae can't get out, so they die. This has worked every single time without issue.

 

[Duck Commander]

Gnats are very easily controlled without any toxins or potatoes. The last thing I would do is put something in the mix to encourage their replication (potato). Just get some play sand, or any kind of sand, and put about a 1" solid layer of sand on top of the mix. The gnats can't get back in the dirt to lay eggs and the larvae can't get out, so they die. This has worked every single time without issue.

seems like a great solution for the gnats Joe will come in haddy im sure for me one day and so easy to remember :clap::clap:

 

[Mr Piggy]

use mosquito dunks in your water... elimination!
http://www.amazon.com/Summit-111-5-Mosquito-Dunks-20-Pack/dp/B0002568YA

Another victory in the overgrow movement...

THIS, THIS RIGHT FUCKING HERE! I used to battle gnats left right and center before i started crumbling dunks into my soil mix and adding them to my teas. You can even make a simple BT wash using filtered/non-chlorinated water and a quarter of a dunk. I just let them soak and bubble overnight then water, gnats be gone!

 

[vitruvius]

Thanks people your such a helpful bunch. I like the sand method. I think I will use this although the bunker near hole 9 will suffer as a direct result. I've never heard about these dunks before but they're certainly cheaper than nematodes so I'll get some of these ordered soon. All tips welcome.

 

[Mr Piggy]

As long as you use dechlorinated water and hit all the root zones at once I guarantee complete gnat genocide. Haven't had any in over two years, straight organic win!

 

[KindredSpirit]

Another firm supporter of Mosquito Dunks here. HUGE thanks to AndyBotwin for turning me on to them! :smokebuds:

Also doesn't hurt to throw up a couple of pest strips to snag any stragglers. Good luck in your battle, vitru!

 

[vitruvius]

I'm just wondering if the dunks have any adverse effects on the friendlies such as nematodes, bactaria and mycorrhizas?

 

[Mr Piggy]

No, BT only infects soft bodied larva like cats, grubs and maggots.