are gnats bad?

Originally Posted by tom__420

Hello all,
I am currently 17 days into flowering and just started noticing that there are gnats flying around my plants and in my soil. There isn't a lot but enough for me to be concerned. If anyone has any information please help me out. Thanks

Tom

Yes they can be bad. Get yourself a spray bottle, the garden type. Cover bottom with dish soap, fill 3/4 with water, the last 1/4 with white vinegar. Shake gently and spray all over your plants, under the leaves even. Leave this on overnight, spray off next day with clean water until dripping clean. They should be gone. Good luck. That mix btw, works on gnats, aphids, spider mites and thrips.

Originally Posted by Chiceh

Yes they can be bad. Get yourself a spray bottle, the garden type. Cover bottom with dish soap, fill 3/4 with water, the last 1/4 with white vinegar. Shake gently and spray all over your plants, under the leaves even. Leave this on overnight, spray off next day with clean water until dripping clean. They should be gone. Good luck. That mix btw, works on gnats, aphids, spider mites and thrips.

Wow thanks a lot Chiceh, I will do this tonight before the lights go off and I will post tomorrow about how it went. Thanks once again

Tom

Good luck. I use this on all kinds of plants indoor and out and seems to get rid of any bastard eating things. It also makes the leaves shine, lol.

Props to Chiceh for nailing that one

Lay slices of raw potato on your soil. Larvae can't resist it. leave a while, lift and check for bugs in/on potato. If there, dispose of infested piece and replace. When you find no larvae on your tater, your soil should be clear of the fungus gnat larvae.
Lifespan 5 days. Gnats ruin your plants by laying eggs in the soil. The resulting pests burrow down and feed on your roots.
Control by always allowing your soil to dry reasonably between waterings. It's a watering method/excessive moisture pest.
Some folks put a layer of sand on top of their soil to deter laying. For a major outbreak, you can try diatomacious earth (DE) on your soil. Food grade, not filter/industrial grade. DE is harmless to humans, animals, etc ( after the dust settles) but sticks to soft-bodied insects and dehydrates them.
Good luck.
Full strength vinager is an organic weed killer, so pay attention if you decide to spray with the above spray. I'm pretty sure it'd work fine and have saved it for my own use should I need it.

Originally Posted by MrFishy

Lay slices of raw potato on your soil. Larvae can't resist it. leave a while, lift and check for bugs in/on potato. If there, dispose of infested piece and replace. When you find no larvae on your tater, your soil should be clear of the fungus gnat larvae.
Lifespan 5 days. Gnats ruin your plants by laying eggs in the soil. The resulting pests burrow down and feed on your roots.
Control by always allowing your soil to dry reasonably between waterings. It's a watering method/excessive moisture pest.
Some folks put a layer of sand on top of their soil to deter laying. For a major outbreak, you can try diatomacious earth (DE) on your soil. Food grade, not filter/industrial grade. DE is harmless to humans, animals, etc ( after the dust settles) but sticks to soft-bodied insects and dehydrates them.
Good luck.
Full strength vinager is an organic weed killer, so pay attention if you decide to spray with the above spray. I'm pretty sure it'd work fine and have saved it for my own use should I need it.

I agree with you on the moisture levels too. Make sure your plant needs water before watering. Let it dry at least 3/4 dry before watering again. I check by weight, colour of soil, and stick my finger up the bottom hole to check for dryness.
Neat idea with the potato.
I would also remvoe all plants from grow area and disinfect the whole room.

Yeah, after the kill?

wow never would have thought of the potato
and ill try that mix out
i have gnats too .... bastards