I'm in perpetual fungus gnat hell...nothing is working.

I have fungus gnats. They won't go away. I use a small dish of apple cider to trap them, and I've got blue sticky traps. The problem is that there are always more. Always.

I've used Mosquito Dunks in my water supply for 6+ months, it has done NOTHING to hinder their reproduction in the soil. I've sprayed the soil in every pot with TakeDown Garden spray, until it's soaked, multiple times...they're back the next day. Does anyone know of an organic way to actually get rid of these little fuckers?

let your soil dry out between watering. the larvae need moist soil to survive. i often let my plants wilt between watering. my gnat problems has been gone for years now.

*sigh* tried that already...they were wilted the last 3 times I watered, still plenty of bugs in the dry soil!!!

fdd2blk said:

let your soil dry out between watering. the larvae need moist soil to survive. i often let my plants wilt between watering. my gnat problems has been gone for years now.

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That right there. ^^^^^^^^^

Put the watering can down and the gnats will go away.

Wet

After the next watering, apply a layer of DE to the top of your soil.

I say after your next watering because getting DE wet kills its effectiveness, so you want to keep it dry as long as you can.

A layer of sand also works, but I like DE better.

Wet

HailTheLeaf said:

I have fungus gnats. They won't go away. I use a small dish of apple cider to trap them, and I've got blue sticky traps. The problem is that there are always more. Always.

I've used Mosquito Dunks in my water supply for 6+ months, it has done NOTHING to hinder their reproduction in the soil. I've sprayed the soil in every pot with TakeDown Garden spray, until it's soaked, multiple times...they're back the next day. Does anyone know of an organic way to actually get rid of these little fuckers?

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HailTheLeaf said:

*sigh* tried that already...they were wilted the last 3 times I watered, still plenty of bugs in the dry soil!!!

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my mistake.

Will try the DE...hope it works!

new dirt.
or
bake your old dirt.
fungus gnats DIE at high temps (300f +)
do it.

google the closest organic garden supply they have a soap spray or you can mix with water for killing those things.. infact i think its for alot of different bugs..

I had an attack of these fuckers recently and wiped them out using a combination of Gnatrol, GoGnats and sticky traps. The sticky traps catch all the adults, so they don't lay anymore eggs. Gnatrol will wipe out most of the larvae in the soil within 24 hours of application. GoGnats is really just a preventative to keep them from coming back, once you've killed the larvae with the Gnatrol. Keep the sticky traps up even after they seem to be gone, as you'll catch any latecomers this way.

put a few inchs of perlit over ur soil..

use beneficial nematodes in your soil to kill the larvae no chemicals just good old beneficials.

Put a few chilli plants in with your plants and break a few chillies and put them on top of the soil

Stop watering. Put some DE powder/Perlite over the soil. Don't water until your plants are starting to wilt, or are wilted. Repeat until gnats are gone.

I think they've gotten into my houseplants also, that's why they keep coming back

I dont grow in dirt, but have had gnat problems. While I was investigating a solution for my problem I found a video no youtube. The video shows you how to re-pot in good, gnat free soil, as well as how much sand is necessary at the top to prevent the adults from being able to access the dirt to lay eggs.

I put up the yellow sticky strips, and hoped for the best. It controlled the an extent. I have also heard a plate with vinegar on it helps, the smell attracts the adults, once they fly in the cant get out and drown.

I would suggest the 1/2" layer of sand on top of your dirt with at least the yellow sticky traps, maybe the vinegar also if needed.

Put sand on them also.

HailTheLeaf said:

I think they've gotten into my houseplants also, that's why they keep coming back

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i used to get gnats BAD. i stopped over watering and they went away.

larvae can't survive in dry soil. letting the soil dry out between watering and watering less when you do will rid you of your gnats.

or you can just keep coming up with all this other nonsense.

I also have a fugnus gnat problem.. but i have them pretty well controlled.. Wait until your soil is realatively dry and spray the top lyer of your soil with neem oil. This will automatically kill the newly hatched gnats and also smother the larva.. Like I said I still have them, but they are under control and not eating my plants anymore. Just dont overwet ur soil with neem oil, it can cause mold... which can be cured with a vinegar / water mix if it happens..

I second what fdd2blk said but you could cover top of pot with tinfoil and make a watering hole.. give u some extra light too