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Gnats

Beings its getting close to that winter rooting I was looking over some things on fungus gnats. I myself use gnatrol with good luck but I seen this and wanted to share.

http://www.learn2grow.com/problemsolvers/insectsanimals/insectdamagecontrol/fungusgnats.aspx

Thanks for posting.
I just cut potato into pieces and placed in rooted plants pots. I had forgotten about the potato method.
The sticky card also had a dozen adult ones stuck to it after a week.

Quote:
Originally Posted by OttawanZ5
Thanks for posting.
I just cut potato into pieces and placed in rooted plants pots. I had forgotten about the potato method.
The sticky card also had a dozen adult ones stuck to it after a week.


Ottawan I've never heard of this potato method! Sounds pretty easy, just cut up slices/chunks of potatoes & put in the pot? I'd be willing to try anything at this point. Used the gnatrol and sticky cards, so far they are helping but my wish is to completely annihilate every one of these freeloaders lol (they ain't paying rent ya know what I mean? Hehe).. Seriously.. They just have to go.. Looks like I will be cutting me up some potatoes ASAP-ola! My husband already thinks I'm crazy with my fig trees, wait til he see's me cutting up potatoes for them! Haha

Quote:
Originally Posted by garden_whisperer
Beings its getting close to that winter rooting I was looking over some things on fungus gnats. I myself use gnatrol with good luck but I seen this and wanted to share.

http://www.learn2grow.com/problemsolvers/insectsanimals/insectdamagecontrol/fungusgnats.aspx


Great article garden_whisperer! Very informative & it explains the potato method that Ottawan just suggested.. Thank you for posting this link, it is exactly what I needed to better understand the lifecycle of these buggers (AKA "the bane of my existance" as of late

I've also heard that diatomaceous earth,(food grade) will help to control gnats. I don't know how well it works when trying to root cuttings though. Of course over watering your plants will lead to a gnat population explosion.

I like to use nylon knee highs (box of 20 at walmart for a couple dollars). You can enclose a 1 gallon or smaller pot within one and use a twist tie around the cutting to prevent any gnats that may be in the room from coming in contact with the potting mix. Considering the hundreds of larvae a single gnat can lay... I don't want ANY coming in contact with the cutting if I can help it because at this stage it's very susceptible to damage from gnat larvae. 

Sweet, I never thought of that. Prevent the problem before it happens at a reasonable price. Great idea It's off to Walmart tomorrow for me.
Thanks

Have had cuttings in the room in sand since 9/7.  Not a single gnat.  I would tell ya's if there was.  Lovin it. :)

Charlie
The gnats go for organic medium (in addition to the roots) and larvae can't feed on sand as the big mass around them. Many people put sand on top of the newly potted plants.

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