Neem Oil Extract

[1guy1plant]

I hope all is well for my autoflower brethren. I have a small gnat problem so I bought some Neem Oil extract and the thought of spraying it on my plants is killing me. I have had a bad experience in the past with another type of plant using oil based foliar insecticide sprays. Anyone have any tips or tricks for applying it. I know I have to get both sides of the leaves but do I have to spray each one or just some. Would it help or hurt to do a light watering of the soil with it as well? I normally foliar feed with kelp will I still be able to after I use neem oil?

 

[Dazed]

I had same issue, don't spray the plants bro, the gnats lay eggs in the soil, spray the soil and they won't go near.

 

[1guy1plant]

Thanks Dazed. That makes more sense to me.

 

[Waira]

Hey 1guy- neem isn't the product to use for soil/fungus gnats,.. yes, it'll kill them, but to break the cycle you need to treat the soil,... adults are no threat to the plants, it's the root munching larvae that are the problem,...an easy fix too; get some mosquito dunks, preferably the granular kind (saves the hassle of breaking up the pucks)... if you're state-side, OSH or any place that has pond supplies should have them; there are other products from grow-shops too,... These products have a bacterium in them that is lethal to the bugs, harmless to everything else,... no need to drench the root zone with neem oil,..likely, it won't be in sufficient conc. to kill anyway by the time it works down to the bottom,... too much may harm the roots,... Bonide makes a nice granular form, in these little dissolvable packets, which I slice open because one pack is too much,.. . I make a simple "tea", by soaking about 1/2 a pack in a gal. of water with 1T molasses in it, maybe add a little nute's as well,... let it sit for a day or so to get the bacteria going, then water as usual,... it'll take a few days to get working, but I found it lasts for weeks, redosing 1-2 times if needed,... :ama:

 

[Waximus]

Hi 1guy Waira 'bout covered it There is a product called Gnatrol, as well- its a granular powdery substance-available at most farm/garden/hydro stores- the you can either surface dress, mix with soil, or make a tea to water into the soil, which I used to great success last Summer. I suspect it is just a powdery form of the stuff in mosquito dunks, but I can attest that it ENDED the gnats in Waxiville! lolol

 

[faded187]

yep!! I started using gnatrol wdg and it works awesome. mixed 1/2 tsp in my regular 1 gallon feed with ph perfect nutes. didn't bother my bam at all. I gave to her first time when she was like 10 days old so no worries there my friend

 

[1guy1plant]

I found Gnatrol on Amazon. There are a lot of different products. I appreciate the help. Sharing one.

 

[Waximus]

The stuff I use, and I reckon Faded Bro too, is the powder stuff. Comes in a plastic wide mouthed/white container. This stuff:
http://smile.amazon.com/Valent-Gnat...e=UTF8&qid=1424990503&sr=8-3&keywords=gnatrol
Though, they changed the picture of it to some eco fluff... lolol

 

[faded187]

yep that's the kind I got. dude at hydro store hooked me up with a sandwich bag full. also brotha a good tip. use dirt pots or smart pots. the gnats lay eggs on bottom drain holes. once I started using smart pots its lots easier to control gnats. just a thought bro. I know some of you guys love your air pots. lol

 

[ThatKracker]

I use a combo of mosquito dunks and diatomacious earth "that's spelled wrong" it works great and is 100% organic. Drop a dunk in your water and sprinkle some DE on top of your soil. It also helps to keep temps down and let your top soil dry out. You can also put about a half inch of regular old sand on top of your soil. It prevents the gnats from going back to lay eggs and prevents the larva from getting to the top. Problem solved. Hope that helps! Just my 2¢ worth