Hello again. Huge battle with gnats, many plants and have tried many solutions. I am into my 3rd week of using the mosquito dunks without noticing much difference. The dunks don't seem to dissolve, the solutions that kill on contact don't and could have bought plants with the money spent on yellow sticky traps. I know I started this by using potting soil that was outside at HD, and I shouldn't have used potting soil. I even torch the top soil and change some of the top soil. Drier soil doesn't work, they like that too. I am pretty new to this. I started in Sept. growing cuttings and have over 75 growing in my small basement. Could be an overdone thing too, but the wife's patience in wearing thin. Any help is appreciated, Mike.

  Mike, 
   
   Have you tried Pyrethrin?  It is a strong, natural insecticide derived from chrysanthemums.  Mix into a spray bottle and douse the soil.   http://www.ghorganics.com/PyrethrumInsecticideSpray.html

   If you have cats, ensure that the insecticide isn't permethrin.  This is the synthetic form of pyrethrin, and is toxic to felines. 

  Blue

gnatnix works

I am going through the same mess right now.  I know that they feed off of organic matter, and roots, and they really like wet soil.  Has anyone tried wood ashes on these suckers?  I know they will kill some insects, but I've never tried it on the gnats.

Gnats, those are killers. I Macgyver'd mine. Mixed red wine vinegar and dish soap in a plastic cup set it next to my plant and collected quite a few in a week

Mike I totally feel your pain. Between my cuttings and the two banana trees and one Meyer lemon tree I brought in to save from the cold, I have been fighting the good fight against those stinking fungus gnats as well. After months of using gnatrol, and letting the top 2 inches remain dry on the bigger trees, I am just now finally seeing an improvement as far as their numbers diminishing. I also started nuking all mediums prior to cupping my newly rooted cuttings and believe that has been a huge help in ensuring I don't bring new eggs in as I cup or up pot. Nothing seems to really just annihilate those little suckers though, and if you see one then ya know more may be along shortly. Thanks for the tip Blue, I am going to give that Pyrethrin a try myself! Some days I get so disgusted with those gnats I momentarily consider throwing all plants outdoors!

I'm a newbie, but here is how I saved some of my baby fig trees last year with BT spray. If you have no roots on your cuttings, it may be easier to just remove them from the soil, spray with BT, put them in a ziploc wrapped in a damp paper towel for a night, and repot them when you see no more gnats on your cuttings.

If you have lots of roots and need to save what is left, spray the soil with BT until saturated, repeat according to directions on bottle. This worked for me and I could see when it worked, since my cups were clear.

Lastly, prevent re-entry of future gnat hoardes with a layer of sand over top of soil and make sure they can't reach drainage holes either. This was a great tip another F4F member posted last year. So sorry, those gnats are a pain!

Gnatrol and yellow sticky traps are your friend. Also Pyrethrins and other insecticides that are not toxic to plants are an option as well.  I have even used pantyhose to help quarantine infected soil. In my limited experience a collaborative approach works best. Good luck, those little jerks are killers.

I have seen a gnat problem start a couple times. Both times I covered the soil with diatomaceous earth, reduced humidity, and they disappeared.  Gnats really seem to hate the diatomaceous earth.

http://www.gpnmag.com/fungus-gnats-and-diatomaceous-earth

[QUOTE]Diatomaceous earth works by removing the waxes on the insect’s body and by absorbing oils and waxes on the outer cuticle.

Another way in which DE can kill insects is through desiccation or by rupturing or abrading the insect cuticle and causing extensive water loss. Insects typically pick up DE particles on their cuticle as they move.

Gnatrol and predatory nematodes, with the combination they will be 90% or more gone in 2 weeks(for me indoors in winter it was more like 99%, but I didn't have a ton of trees going like you do ). Pyrethrin is a knock down type control, it won't help with the larvae. Home Depot online usually has the best deal on predatory nematodes, make sure they don't freeze or cook in your mailbox before you get to them.
Mosquito dunks are a different strain of BT and don't work all that great. Gnatrol rocks, some people sell smaller quantities that they repackaged on eBay for a good price with little or no shipping charges.

I am going through the same mess right now.  I know that they feed off of organic matter, and roots, and they really like wet soil.  Has anyone tried wood ashes on these suckers?  I know they will kill some insects, but I've never tried it on the gnats.

Point some fans at the plants, gnats are weak flyers so they will avoid the area and it will make the plants stronger too. 

As several others have stated, I've had success with (food grade) diatomaceous earth. I just keep it in a glass bottle, with parmesan cheese type shaker top screwed on. After each watering, I just lightly powder the surface of the soil, and it really works. Also, if the powder gets wet, I do it again lightly after the soil dries out a bit because the DE works when dry. The gnats are no longer buzzing about.

Windowsill Garden also wrote that she used Hydrogen Peroxide, mixed 1 part to 4 parts water, if I remember her proportions right, when watering. Not only is this healthy for the plant and roots, but it also kills the gnat eggs.

Wishing you the best in getting rid of the pests, LJ

I had a big gnat problem with my 4 plants I am keeping in a plastic tote covered in plastic wrap.  They were getting out of the mini greenhouse and flying all over the office.  My wife was very unhappy.  I was spraying insecticidal soap with poor results.  I purchased nematodes and yellow traps.  The yellow traps arrived before the nematodes and they quickly, significantly reduced the gnats.  By the time the nematodes arrived, the problem was almost gone so I decided to wait before introducing more insects.  I was reminded of that Bugs Bunny cartoon where the home owner buys a cat to get rid of the mice, then dog to get rid of the cat, then lion... and so on.  So I skipped the nematodes and waited.  The yellow traps worked for me.  I used the product: "Springstar BioCare Gnat Stix S5333" and happy to report there are a lot of dead critters stuck to the traps, but not a single live one flying about.  I also see some dead guys stuck to the sides of the bin and wonder if the bleach I periodically add to the water in the bottom is making it toxic for the gnats?  Whichever, Gnats are gone: happy wife.  Fig plants are flourishing: happy me ;-)

Good Luck Mike 2 years ago I had a giant infestation of gnats they came from a bad batch of Miracle gro potting soil I used everything mentioned here and watched my cuttings die one after another finally I got so fed up I threw everything away This is why I use nothing but coco coir from here on out and of course you have to be careful what soil you pot the soil in after you start the roots in the coir I use pro mix and sterilize it in the oven and of course that kills some of the nutrients in the soil but that is easily fixed with some fertilizer take a look at this post I use paint strainers to keep the gnats from spreading if you happen to get them Good luck in your battle http://figs4funforum.websitetoolbox.com/post/the-war-against-gnats-7180106?trail=50&highlight=gnat

[QUOTE=Dave] I had a giant infestation of gnats they came from a bad batch of Miracle gro potting soil [/QUOTE]
Oh yea buddy. Me too. I'm not sure if the gnats came in it or just thrive on it.  Now for indoor growing I stick to Cocogrow and pearlite mix.

Dave,Andrew,Mike! nice bunch from Connecticut!

 Thanks for the help everyone. I have used everything but the pyrethrum and will try it also. I am marinating a garlic, cayenne & red pepper, dish soap & Dunk stuff, and will strain and test soon.

 Thanks, Mike

Hi,
You can reduce the number of flying gnats with the vacuum cleaner ( aspire them in). Just be careful to not harm the plants.
That works great with every flying insect.
Let the dirt dry a bit too.
You could try cinnamon sprinkled on the dirt once the dirt is dry.
Good luck !

Mario if we could find a couple more guys from CT we could have our own fig gathering ? 

[QUOTE=Mario_1]Dave,Andrew,Mike! nice bunch from Connecticut![/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Dave]Mario if we could find a couple more guys from CT we could have our own fig gathering ? 

[QUOTE=Mario_1]Dave,Andrew,Mike! nice bunch from Connecticut![/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

There's also a bunch of people from long island and the city too, possible a small northeast gathering?

Sounds interesting. I live in Wallingford, but work in Bridgeport. I have found at least 8 people with figs at work and a couple around town, (because I talk a lot) lol,. No one seems to know what they have, which makes it interesting. All I can tell is the two purples two people gave me are different by the leaves, and so are the two green ones. I am new to this, but there seems to be a lot of variety in the area, and figuring out the "locally grown" will be a hobby by itself.

            Mike

Guys -- no more fretting the fungus gnats. I had the worst problem with them in my house with 17 plants growing in the windows and I tried everything you can imagine...for years.  Finally found what worked for me and have NEVER had an issue since.  Its been over a year. Its called Neam Cake or AKA Neam Meal. Its completely safe, organic, and its actually very healthy for the plants as its a light fertilizer and root health support. Its much better than Neam oil for gnats because it stays at the top (as well as soil drench) eventually killing everything. Here's a video I did that explains everything:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IE6srbGSoQ

A multi-prong approach has worked for me. I use sterile media (coir) for rooting, put a small square of yellow sticky paper in each pot, hang a sticky trap near a cluster of plants, use Gnatrol every time I water my indoor plants, and smash every one that I see flying around. I never seem to completely get rid of the buggers, but they also never grow to a significant population size. I might try add the wine vinegar and soap to my control measures as extra insurance.

This sounds like a good product. I like the fact that it's organic and actually feeds the plant while killing the gnats.

I use diatomaceous earth, along with a few other gnat-discouragers, but (although it's more a cosmetic issue) don't really care for the look or feel of the white powder over the soil. This neem cake blends right in, which is nice, but most importantly that it also has worked for you and others....Thanks for making and sharing the video.

Yeah Pyrethrum!!!  Tons of little screams... then silence. MWAHAHA!!  Thanks, after 4 days and two thorough applications, + some in between, significant reduction and very little showing on the sticky traps. Much more manageable. My problem with the DE is there are too many plants in my little space. I have noticed if the leaves then get wet it can cake and the leaf slowly die. Seriously too many. They are bigger now than I thought they would be in the spring. Will probably need to find someone nearby to share with soon, prob @ late Feb. early March.              

  I'm glad that it was successful for you, Mike.  I used Pyrethrin on my clothes in Alaska to ward off the state bird there...  the mighty mosquito.    Blue

Lol, hey Blue, I don't doubt it. Something that seems important though. The pyrethrum says to use it within 24 hours of being mixed (concentrate). The scent and effectiveness after a day did seem drastically reduced.

[QUOTE=Garlic_Mike]Lol, hey Blue, I don't doubt it. Something that seems important though. The pyrethrum says to use it within 24 hours of being mixed (concentrate). The scent and effectiveness after a day did seem drastically reduced.[/QUOTE]

 Thanks, Mike.  That's good to be aware of...

Just got my Neem Cake.  Look out gnats!

Nicotine is a very powerful insecticide.  I have used a pencil to poke holes and then put cigarette buts in.  If you want to make a spray try this

http://www.ehow.com/how_4884401_make-nicotine-insecticide.html

Note there are references that the "use [of neem cake] in potting mix may inhibit seed germination or stunt young plants."  "Exercise caution while using in potting mixes. Using more than 1% could cause a lack of seed germination or stunt young plants."  So be cautious using neem cake with your cuttings and when germinating seeds.

I used diluted peroxide solution to water, and dusted with DE... Solved the issue for me.

Nothing like fungas gnats flying around the house lol.

 The pyrethrum has worked great.

 After initially soaking the top soil, I re-spray @ weekly. I have also moved to sunshine mix 70%, 30% potting mix, and the top 2" sunshine mix. I also put sunshine mix on the very bottom where the drain holes are.

 98% better, and keeping a couple sticky traps out.

I still like a bit of potting soil in the mix. I keep reading about air at the roots and clear plastic cups.

 In what I have known about growing, air is bad. It promotes fungus and disease, seeds, plants, and transplanting anything in the garden. On sensitive plants, the roots do not like light. They will brown and slow growth.

 I do not see the need for clear cups as my success rate, other than the gnat plague, is well over 90%, roots and growth. I know some will not, but I'm starting to think my method or growing environment may be better, or people are too impatient or the cutting was not viable in the first place.

 Most of my cuttings have been fresh, or having just gone dormant, and first year growth which I think helps too

Hey all you gnat experts.  I am feeling a little unsure if the neem cake is ok to put on the new, yet to root cuttings I have starting out?  There seems to be different opinions on if the neem cake top dressing will inhibit root development on cuttings without roots?  Question is has anyone had a problem using the neem cake top dressing on newly started cuttings?  Or with using the neem cake tea on same?  Thank you for your kind assistance.  Nervous momma, Jodi

I've used this before i works great Gnat nix or paint strainers they come in all different sizes 

[video]https://youtu.be/LydGUa9So9c[/video]

     

Thx Dave that looks like a new one I haven't heard of. Looks like a great non chemical way to beat these lil buggers. I assume it has worked well for you. That lil figlet looks really healthy. ;-).

[QUOTE=Garlic_Mike] The pyrethrum has worked great.

 After initially soaking the top soil, I re-spray @ weekly

 98% better, and keeping a couple sticky traps out.

[/QUOTE]

   
    Hey Mike,

   I ended up having to take a dose of my own medicine...    

           This first three months of the fig-addiction, my plant population has increased to over 110 individuals, all inside.  And, I had not seen a single gnat during this time.  Then I made the mistake of bringing in established plants from three different sources.  A couple of days later, I walked into one of the plant rooms and was greeted by a five-foot cloud of swarming fig-ingestors.

           I raced to purchase a half-gallon of Riptide (5% pyrethrin) and several large bags of Gnat-nix.  It only requires a couple of capfuls of the pyrethrin in a gallon of water, but it worked perfectly.   I used a fine mist from the spray bottle to knock the cloud of pests out of the air, and doused the soil mix as well.  Over the next ten days, I have seen a lone gnat only twice.  And each has met with swift justice.

          There was no sign that the plants had noticed any change at all post-Riptide treatment. 

          Ahhhh....  the fig-father can once again rest easy.