The war against Gnats!

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Dave

Registered:1312388324
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Posted 1416592040 · Edited	Reply with quote #1

In the battle against Gnats I have a couple small trees that I want to keep growing throughout the winter without gnats flying all over and I found these paint strainer bags , they come in sizes from 1 gallon to 5 gallon and the mesh is very fine much too small for a gnat they were about .75 cent each at my local paint store __________________ Connecticut - Zone 6B Wish List - Bordissot negra rimada

dirtguy50

Registered:1398135169
Posts: 256

Posted 1416592428	Reply with quote #2

Sweet move Dave !!! __________________ No, your other left! Zone 6b, Keith in SW Wish List: Violette de Bordeaux & Marsilles Black VS

FiggyFrank

Registered:1347560723
Posts: 2,712

Posted 1416592677	Reply with quote #3

Excellent idea, Dave! I hope you win the war. __________________ Frank zone 7a - VA

zone5figger

Registered:1395082963
Posts: 250

Posted 1416593436	Reply with quote #4

An ounce of prevention.... I saw the buggers flying around a rooted sucker that I'm growing through the winter indoors-found Mosquito Bits at my nearby farm and garden supply, and have mixed a bit into the top inch of soil mix and soaking a couple teaspoons worth in a gallon of water for tomorrow's watering. Hope those grubs eat it and die! __________________ Jesse- zone 5, 1000' elevation

Ampersand

Registered:1389979527
Posts: 728

Posted 1416595808	Reply with quote #5

Mosquito Bits/Dunks do work well. I thought I had them under control with Neem Oil, but had to step up. The Bits/Dunks are essentially organic if not labeled as such, very safe. I'm now mixing some bits into my potting mix as well to be safe. Too many cuttings I don't want to lose!

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1416609006	Reply with quote #6

Dave, A nice find! What is the name of this bag (if I want to Google for it)? __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

cis4elk

Registered:1347840383
Posts: 1,718

Posted 1416609660 · Edited	Reply with quote #7

The mosquito bits didn't work for me. I just treated all my smaller plants that have new(er) soil with the nematodes that Homedepot offers online the other day. I got some gnatrol WDG to start using too, but I want the little beasties to have some fun suffering with nematodes first...hahahahahahaha. __________________ Calvin Littleton,CO z5/6 Wants List: For everyone to clean-up after themselves and co-exist peacefully. Let's think more about the future of our planet and less about ourselves. :)

Dave

Registered:1312388324
Posts: 1,482

Posted 1416610314	Reply with quote #8

greenfig the brand that I bought is Trimaco if you can't find them local they are all over ebay __________________ Connecticut - Zone 6B Wish List - Bordissot negra rimada

Dave

Registered:1312388324
Posts: 1,482

Posted 1416610485	Reply with quote #9

I will never never never ever use Miracle Grow potting soil again I lost over 50 cuttings last year the bag that I got was totally infested with those little bastards !!! __________________ Connecticut - Zone 6B Wish List - Bordissot negra rimada

tylerj

Registered:1347291507
Posts: 646

Posted 1416610743	Reply with quote #10

Good find Dave! Maybe now I won't have to feel like a moron buying queen size nylon knee highs at walmart lol.... __________________ London, Ontario zone 6a Wish List: Martinenca Rimada, Genovese Nero AF, Galicia Negra, Brooklyn White

greenfig

Registered:1359790036
Posts: 3,182

Posted 1416610938 · Edited	Reply with quote #11

Thanks, Dave! This year I like a mix of perlite and coco coir, all sterile and hard to overwater. On Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Trimaco-LLC-11313-25-Strainer/dp/B0038RRPI2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1416610978&sr=8-2&keywords=paint+strainer __________________ wish list: Violeta, Calderona. USDA z 10a, SoCal

jc_figs

Registered:1416095240
Posts: 351

Posted 1416614739	Reply with quote #12

im looking stupid reading this what does the nats do were talking about the small flies right? __________________ Name JAILEN feel free to call me jc ........wish list...... black madeira ,ischia b lack, green ischia, patrics super giant, rdv, negronne, maltese falcon, lsu gold, lsu purple, lsu tiger, lounge d out, golden, celeste, black jack, black mission, brunswick, blue ischia, panache, strawberry latte, armenian, mvsb, col de dame, col de dame grise, col de dame noir, hardy chicago, peters honey, peti negri, unknowns, magnolia, kathleen black, labanese, and any othere except bt, and celeste improved bt or celeste are fine ,cuttings/plants zone 8a goldsboro north carolina. I'm proved Celeste or BT welcome!! figs growing brown turkey celeste and unknown yellow fig

Dave

Registered:1312388324
Posts: 1,482

Posted 1416622054 · Edited	Reply with quote #13

The nats lay there eggs in the soil and the larvae eats the roots killing the cuttings Do a search here on gnats you'll see many many sad stories :-( __________________ Connecticut - Zone 6B Wish List - Bordissot negra rimada

jc_figs

Registered:1416095240
Posts: 351

Posted 1416624939	Reply with quote #14

i think im in trouble i seen a few nats in my rooted cutting pot earlier i didnt even know until now thanks __________________ Name JAILEN feel free to call me jc ........wish list...... black madeira ,ischia b lack, green ischia, patrics super giant, rdv, negronne, maltese falcon, lsu gold, lsu purple, lsu tiger, lounge d out, golden, celeste, black jack, black mission, brunswick, blue ischia, panache, strawberry latte, armenian, mvsb, col de dame, col de dame grise, col de dame noir, hardy chicago, peters honey, peti negri, unknowns, magnolia, kathleen black, labanese, and any othere except bt, and celeste improved bt or celeste are fine ,cuttings/plants zone 8a goldsboro north carolina. I'm proved Celeste or BT welcome!! figs growing brown turkey celeste and unknown yellow fig

leon_edmond

Registered:1188903453
Posts: 923

Posted 1416677520	Reply with quote #15

Nice idea Dave! Thanks, Leon

Registered:1352993559
Posts: 412

Posted 1416680244	Reply with quote #16

Last winter I had good success using sand to control gnats in newly rooted plants. By late October I had a nasty gnat infestation. In about 4-5 weeks very few remained. I saw the occasional one but not a problem. The key is blocking the drain holes. I use a same sized/brand cup to restrict access to the drain holes. They fit so tight that the suckers can’t enter or escape. Many times when I separated the cups to check the roots 2 or 3 gnats were ready to escape. On many I couldn’t use very much sand because they were already planted. Most had about a 1/2" sand. Sand is a PITA its always spilling but I’ll use it again this winter

nycfig

Registered:1380768118
Posts: 884

Posted 1416740000	Reply with quote #17

Quote: Originally Posted by Dave In the battle against Gnats I have a couple small trees that I want to keep growing throughout the winter without gnats flying all over and I found these paint strainer bags , they come in sizes from 1 gallon to 5 gallon and the mesh is very fine much too small for a gnat they were about .75 cent each at my local paint store What size are the pots in the pic? __________________ Danny NYC Z7a It's all about the figs! Facebook: NYCfigs Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet

Registered:1352993559
Posts: 412

Posted 1416749562	Reply with quote #18

Scientists Prove Bounce Sheets Fend Off Insect Pests

nycfig

Registered:1380768118
Posts: 884

Posted 1416753869	Reply with quote #19

Quote: Originally Posted by KK Scientists Prove Bounce Sheets Fend Off Insect Pests FWIW... Tried the Bounce sheets as part of my gnat control program last winter and they failed. At first I thought they worked because they were being used along with other gnat control methods at the same time. After using them for awhile I found that gnats regularly landed and walked on the sheets. Don't know if I used "Outdoor Fresh Scent" as they did in the study though. __________________ Danny NYC Z7a It's all about the figs! Facebook: NYCfigs Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet

Registered:1352993559
Posts: 412

Posted 1416756701	Reply with quote #20

Quote: Originally Posted by nycfig Quote: Originally Posted by KK Scientists Prove Bounce Sheets Fend Off Insect Pests FWIW... Tried the Bounce sheets as part of my gnat control program last winter and they failed. Heard it failed for some, it was the scientific evidence that caught my eye

Dave

Registered:1312388324
Posts: 1,482

Posted 1416762761	Reply with quote #21

Danny those are 1 gallon pots __________________ Connecticut - Zone 6B Wish List - Bordissot negra rimada

Dave

Registered:1312388324
Posts: 1,482

Posted 1416763136	Reply with quote #22

Heres one other product that I am trying for my cuttings Gnat Nix , it's a light weight ground up glass supposable the gnats are not able to crawl through it and the drainage holes are on the bottom of the cup so the gnats can't crawl through those holes either __________________ Connecticut - Zone 6B Wish List - Bordissot negra rimada

johnnyq627

Registered:1366344367
Posts: 710

Posted 1416770648	Reply with quote #23

While I find the gnats to be incredibly annoying, I can't say I lost a single cutting to them last year and I had a terrible amount of them. I really think people need to look at other causes of losing cuttings with over watering being #1 and lack of humidty #2. That being said, they are incredibly annoying, so I will likely try some of these methods this year as well. __________________ Nick- Youtube: PA Figs \| eBay: tdepoala Zone 6B/7A - Douglassville, PA Wish list - Galicia Negra, Paritjal Rimada, Black Ischia UCD

nycfig

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Posts: 884

Posted 1416779839	Reply with quote #24

Quote: Originally Posted by Dave Danny those are 1 gallon pots Should've asked you before. Sorry. What size strainer did you use on the 1 gal pots; 1 gal, 2 gal or 5 gal? __________________ Danny NYC Z7a It's all about the figs! Facebook: NYCfigs Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet

Dave

Registered:1312388324
Posts: 1,482

Posted 1416780052	Reply with quote #25

one gallon strainer for a one gallon pot gives you just enough excess to tie around the trunk __________________ Connecticut - Zone 6B Wish List - Bordissot negra rimada

garden_whisperer

Registered:1353347580
Posts: 1,613

Posted 1416793389	Reply with quote #26

Gnatrol organic bti larvacide on Ebay cheep and works well __________________ Dave Zone 6b Illinois "Be the change you wish to see in the world"

ediblelandscapingsc

Registered:1343459620
Posts: 348

Posted 1416815484	Reply with quote #27

johnnyq627 johnnyq627 Find contentMessage Posts305 Member Since04/18/13 Last ActiveOffline4 hours ago keep ignoring them and you'll see they will kill your plants. It's hard to fathom but it happens. __________________ South Carolina zone 7b-8

Aaron4USA

Registered:1375832059
Posts: 2,969

Posted 1416817287 · Edited	Reply with quote #28

Just curious, did anybody try Cinnamon tea on those flies? I don't have gnats so I can't experiment.

gorgi

Registered:1188888396
Posts: 2,864

Posted 1416826500 · Edited	Reply with quote #29

A very nice prevention-idea (i.e., paint-strainer-bags) to keep fungus gnats OUT from first getting in the potting soil. However, I think that it may not be a cure for already infected soil; as them nasty gnats will continue to reproduce more of the same (but at least locally). __________________ George, NJ_z7a.

tylerj

Registered:1347291507
Posts: 646

Posted 1416834525	Reply with quote #30

Quote: Originally Posted by gorgi A very nice prevention-idea (i.e., paint-strainer-bags) to keep fungus gnats OUT from first getting in the potting soil. However, I think that it may not be a cure for already infected soil; as them nasty gnats will continue to reproduce more of the same (but at least locally). One potted variety (newly rooted) I received from a generous forum member I immediately enclosed in nylon. A few weeks later I noticed a few gnats jumping around underneath on the soil. At first I thought how did they get in there but then realized they were already there in the soil. Since there was a good 1-1/2" space from the soil line to the pot lip I decided to fill that with kitty litter. With the nylon enclosed pots I water from the bottom anyways so this was going to stay dry. It seems to have worked or at least there is no space for the mature fly to roam. I'm hoping that breaks the reproduction cycle that is in the pot. __________________ London, Ontario zone 6a Wish List: Martinenca Rimada, Genovese Nero AF, Galicia Negra, Brooklyn White

nycfig

Registered:1380768118
Posts: 884

Posted 1416837067	Reply with quote #31

There was a small gnat infestation cooking in the 1 gal pots earlier this year when I made the switch to Queen size women's nylons (thanks Tyler). I was able to open the top, treat with Gnatrol and Neem oil, and then close it back up. It Worked out great! 3 treatments later (3 weeks) and they were all gone. Haven't seen a gnat since. I have been searching for reasonably priced nylons that would fit over a 2 gal nursery pot. Maybe paint strainers are the answer. Gonna have to try some. __________________ Danny NYC Z7a It's all about the figs! Facebook: NYCfigs Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet

jc_figs

Registered:1416095240
Posts: 351

Posted 1416837201	Reply with quote #32

so its not house nats that be on fruit __________________ Name JAILEN feel free to call me jc ........wish list...... black madeira ,ischia b lack, green ischia, patrics super giant, rdv, negronne, maltese falcon, lsu gold, lsu purple, lsu tiger, lounge d out, golden, celeste, black jack, black mission, brunswick, blue ischia, panache, strawberry latte, armenian, mvsb, col de dame, col de dame grise, col de dame noir, hardy chicago, peters honey, peti negri, unknowns, magnolia, kathleen black, labanese, and any othere except bt, and celeste improved bt or celeste are fine ,cuttings/plants zone 8a goldsboro north carolina. I'm proved Celeste or BT welcome!! figs growing brown turkey celeste and unknown yellow fig

zone5figger

Registered:1395082963
Posts: 250

Posted 1416837211	Reply with quote #33

I think my promix bx was infested- it sat around opened for awhile outside- as I started potting up plants and cuttings I saw the gnats. I purchased Mosquito Bits, which have the BTi larvacide, and sprinkled 1/2 tsp of them onto the soil surface of each pot and lightly incorporated them into the top of the soil. I also made a tea with about a 1/2 cup in a gallon of water that I've used once to moisten the medium. I'm afraid of giving them a full drenching, don't want to rot my freshly planted cuttings. About 4 days in, I'm seeing much less sign of gnats. I think premixing some 'bits' into potting mix could be a good preventative measure, and I plan on doing that when I mix another batch. __________________ Jesse- zone 5, 1000' elevation

tylerj

Registered:1347291507
Posts: 646

Posted 1416837501	Reply with quote #34

Quote: Originally Posted by jc_figs so its not house nats that be on fruit gnats are smaller than fruit flies. __________________ London, Ontario zone 6a Wish List: Martinenca Rimada, Genovese Nero AF, Galicia Negra, Brooklyn White

Dave

Registered:1312388324
Posts: 1,482

Posted 1416850784	Reply with quote #35

gorge I thought it would also be a good idea to keep them in I brought in 5 plants to grow through the winter if one of them has an infestation it will keep them in and stop them from spreading to my other plants I will also water with some gnatrol in case there are some larvae lurking down below after that it's up to the "Fig Gods" __________________ Connecticut - Zone 6B Wish List - Bordissot negra rimada

Rob

Registered:1320245426
Posts: 550

Posted 1416888061	Reply with quote #36

I agree with Johnny Q (Nick) that they are more annoying than they are harmful. It is possible they can hurt a weak cutting, but a healthy vigorous cutting will survive them for sure. I figure they probably add on average around 10% mortality to any given cutting. I started at least 50 varieties a couple winters ago and had a mega infestation of the buggers by springtime. There were only a handful (less than 5 I'd say) varieties that didn't make it. I also think it's a good idea even if just for the annoyance factor, but if you use contaminated soil (e.g. Miracle Grow, organic choice especially) they will still grow within the bags. But it would stop them from spreading to other pots if the source of the infestation as coming from somewhere other than the potting mix you used. I tried those mosquito dunks and had no luck at all. It really just made my overwatering problem worse. __________________ Rob Maryland Zone 7 http://rbfigs.webs.com/

nelson20vt

Registered:1259864353
Posts: 1,847

Posted 1416942946	Reply with quote #37

Has anyone tried using a cup with a little wine? __________________ Mississauga, ON, Canada Z5B/6A

Dave

Registered:1312388324
Posts: 1,482

Posted 1416958830	Reply with quote #38

Nelson what are you trying to say get the nats a little tipsy and then coax them out of the house? LOL __________________ Connecticut - Zone 6B Wish List - Bordissot negra rimada

nycfig

Registered:1380768118
Posts: 884

Posted 1416971301	Reply with quote #39

Tried vinegar, not wine. No luck. __________________ Danny NYC Z7a It's all about the figs! Facebook: NYCfigs Buying Fig Trees and Cuttings From the Internet

nelson20vt

Registered:1259864353
Posts: 1,847

Posted 1417030337	Reply with quote #40

Dave, every summer when my dad is out in the backyard sipping his sacramento wine as he calls it within minutes of putting the wine glass down gnats will go in the cup. I haven't tried it myself yet but think I might just to see I have sticky strips but that dosent really take care of the problem just captures the stupid ones. This is why I generally root cuttings in sphagnum moss & Pine bark as I have not noticed any gnat issues when I use this method. But I have noticed quite a few flying around in my basement where I have a few small plants soil used was pro-mix. __________________ Mississauga, ON, Canada Z5B/6A

GRamaley

Registered:1357742252
Posts: 791

Posted 1417035834	Reply with quote #41

Cup of vinegar/w a drop of dish soap work well at killing fruit flies but didn't seem to have any effect on gnats... nematodes and neem oil seem to be a good combo. __________________ Gloria --------------- 7a, maybe 8

Dave

Registered:1312388324
Posts: 1,482

Posted 1417044977 · Edited	Reply with quote #42

Nelson I think I saw a video on youtube about using wine in a bowl to capture gnats I used to use spaghnum moss for all my cuttings and it worked great I think that the coir is allot less expensive than the moss and so far it has been working great this will be the 1st year that I used Clonex and I am definitely seeing a big difference than when I didn't use it 3 weeks and the roots are hitting the side of the cups already "great stuff" "Thanks FMD Frank for turning me onto the coir" __________________ Connecticut - Zone 6B Wish List - Bordissot negra rimada

Ekierk

Registered:1349141058
Posts: 165

Posted 1417065354	Reply with quote #43

Would heating the soil up to kill the gnats work? I haven't had any problems with gnats luckily

Aaron4USA

Registered:1375832059
Posts: 2,969

Posted 1417065909	Reply with quote #44

I think someone mentioned in past that they Nuke the soil before planting the newly rooted cuttings. I have never done that.

lifigs

Registered:1374698291
Posts: 217

Posted 1417106560 · Edited	Reply with quote #45

I first tried nuking my potting mix back in October. 50% ProMix HP and 50% Agway Pine Bark Mulch (it's like Pine fines), dampen the mix, put in ziplock bags and nuke for 3 minutes. I would stop the micro every minute and mix it around in the bag. So far no sign of gnats around the cuttings I started in early October. Fingers crossed. __________________ Bill Long Island (Nassau) 7a,NY Wish List: Sicilian Red, RdB, JH Adriatic, Sal's EL and any fig from Bari.

Dave

Registered:1312388324
Posts: 1,482

Posted 1417107724 · Edited	Reply with quote #46

sterilizing potting mix __________________ Connecticut - Zone 6B Wish List - Bordissot negra rimada

lifigs

Registered:1374698291
Posts: 217

Posted 1417109390	Reply with quote #47

I went the microwave route to sterilize my potting mix because I heard using the regular oven method can stink up the house plus it takes a lot longer. __________________ Bill Long Island (Nassau) 7a,NY Wish List: Sicilian Red, RdB, JH Adriatic, Sal's EL and any fig from Bari.

Dave

Registered:1312388324
Posts: 1,482

Posted 1417109833 · Edited	Reply with quote #48

yeah Bill I think your microwave method is better than the oven allot faster and neater being that you can put it in a ziplock now I just have to find an old microwave :-) How long and what temp do you do your soil? __________________ Connecticut - Zone 6B Wish List - Bordissot negra rimada

lifigs

Registered:1374698291
Posts: 217

Posted 1417111812	Reply with quote #49

I just nuked it for a total of 3 minutes but stopped every minute to mix it around in the ziplock bag. You could feel it was getting hot by the end but I never measured the temperature. The link below compares three methods for sterilizing potting mix at home. http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/sterilizing-soil.htm __________________ Bill Long Island (Nassau) 7a,NY Wish List: Sicilian Red, RdB, JH Adriatic, Sal's EL and any fig from Bari.

zone5figger

Registered:1395082963
Posts: 250

Posted 1417612669	Reply with quote #50

Well, it's been about 10 days since I started treatment of my gnat larvae infestation, and I am happy to announce....VICTORY! I sprinkled Mosquito bits over the surface of the soil and also watered(lightly) with 'tea' I made by soaking a couple spoonfuls of the 'bits in a gallon of H2O. I am also now taking preventative action with new batches of potting mix by hydrating my dry Pro-mix with the 'tea'. With over 40 cuttings rooting, and more on deck, there was no way I was going to let that situation spiral out of control. I lost some cuttings over the summer to those little buggers, glad I found this remedy and hope my endorsement might help others get the jump on 'em with this product. __________________ Jesse- zone 5, 1000' elevation

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