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My first Gnat problem

I have about 18 SIPs from 32oz cups with recently rooted cuttings.  I took 3 of them to work.  Arriving at work this morning, I found gnats of various sizes buzzing all around.

Went and bought some mosquito bits (like mosquite dunk, but ground up into rock salt size) and put some down in the water reservoir.  Also put a sticky strip on the wall behind.  Hopefully that will take care of them.

Got home and checked all my other ones and no gnats to be seen anywhere.  They must have come from someone elses plant in the office.  No sign of wilting, plants are growing like crazy!

probably they are from some other source. my wife brought home some house plants few weeks ago, i see few gnats here and there. nothing out of control. keeping the cuttings in controlled environment.. sorta.. so far no specific issues. only way to prevent gnat for good is getting rid of the source. usually that means getting rid of the soil that keeps the larvae and the eggs.

James,
  A local nursery in my area has a great reputation for wide variety and excellent prices, and they have an extensive greenhouse complex (for NJ).  I went there for the first time this summer and will never go back.  The greenhouses were completely infested with fungus gnats.  I couldn't even bring myself to walk down one of the isles to buy something I wanted because the air was thick with them.  So, the gnats you have at the office definitely could have been brought in by someone else's plants.
  Keep up with the physical and biological warfare (i.e. sticky traps and BTi) and don't bring them home with you!!
Cheers,
Jim

Yeah, they are definitely not going home with me any time soon, at least not indoors at home. They'll go straight outside when the weather is warmer next spring.

Found this on the internet: I used some Vinegar in a ziploc bag with 2-3 holes hopefully I can capture that pesky Gnat.

Gnats are annoying, flying household pests no one enjoys. The word gnat normally covers varieties of fruit flies and vinegar flies. Gnats are attracted to moisture and rotten food. Their tendency to infest kitchens makes killing them with hazardous chemicals a last choice. However, it is possible to use vinegar to safely get rid of gnats.

Whatever method used to get rid of gnats, it is essential to prevent them from infesting again. Gnats multiply quickly, and they will return to any setting that they find hospitable. It is essential to keep the environment dry and clear of trash. Store fresh fruit in the refrigerator, and throw it away when they are overripe.

Vinegar can be used to get rid of gnats in the form of a vinegar trap. Vinegar traps are easy to make and can be used throughout the home, although they work best near areas where gnats feed and breed. To make a vinegar trap, simple take a bottle or jar with a large opening and fill it with vinegar (preferably white vinegar). Cover the trap, and cut a few small holes into the lid. The vinegar traps will attract the gnats. They are able to crawl into the trap but not make their way back out.

Another method for using vinegar to get rid of gnats is an alternative vinegar trap. This homemade insect trap is simple. Take a bowel and mix a few drops of dishwashing detergent with some vinegar. The vinegar will attract the gnats, and the detergent will help trap them in the bowel.

Placement of the vinegar traps is important. Place the traps where the gnats are known to congregate because, if the traps are in other areas of the house, they will be attracted to the vinegar and move throughout the home. Keep an eye on the traps and move them as needed to locations with dense gnat populations to get rid of the pests.

Armondo, in my experience the vinegar traps, apple-cider vinegar with a drop or two of dish soap works wonders on fruit flies but doesn't seem to attract the fungus gnats. Fly paper is working great.

I agree with Gloria, the gnats do not care about the vinegar traps. The yellow sticky paper is the best for capturing the beasts!

Will do....will be shopping and see if I can get they sticky yellow papers......Thanks Gloria and Igor.

What I am using this year for established cuttings in 1 gallon pots is queen size knee high nylons (yes I felt dumb at the cashier with a box of 10 pr. lol). I also added an inch of scented kitty litter to the top of the pots then put the pot in the nylon and twist tied it around the cutting. Some that I did not twist tie tight because of a new shoot growing I have not seen 1 gnat in the kitty litter.

I water them from the bottom to keep the kitty litter dry. Gnat proof! lol

Thanks Tyler and Igor (GreenFig).....can you find me some almost free, Black Madiera cuttings......Lost a bid for 30 dollars on Ebay.... Would of went higher, but then the price would of also...????

Sure!
If we go back in time, you could order for free from the UCD, DFIC 144 Is Black Madeira.
If you jump to February, Jon may have the cuttings for sale for a very reasonable price.
If you time travel way ahead, you can wait until my trees are 3 years old, I would share some cuttings with you.
So, pick one, grab a beer and be happy!

I don't know who likes me more, Jon or Greenfig....LOL   a friend told me next winter, will get one from him and then I will get yours...LOL

I second gnatrol on ebay organic bti. I'm using it now. Didn't start my cuttings until it came in. Been almost a month and no gnats. Got mine from AZ

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