Alright, what's up with these FUNGUS GNATS
Alright, what's up with these FUNGUS GNATS
"make them stop, Agatha"... i got you.
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What are signs you have a gnat infestation on your plants?
Most of us realize we have fungus gnats by the time we see the adults flying around. They prefer moist environments and if you're gotten a bit busy and some of your plants may have dead leaves that have started to decay etc, this is when they tend to emerge. This also happens when plants go through stress and may drop some leaves during shipments for example. If you see a lot of dead or decaying leaves, throw them out as it'll attract and jumpstart proliferation of fungus gnats.
What causes gnat infestations?
An increase in heat, and water will awaken eggs that are dormant in the nursery soil. This is most common in summer when decay occurs fastest and feeds gnats. Also, when plants go through shipment from the nursery to local plant stores etc, the plants are weakened. This with the combination of the summer heat tends to increase the growth of fungus gnats.
Do you recommend any natural remedies to get rid of gnats?
Hear me out - By the time you see multiple gnats you already have adults that have likely laid eggs. I recommend using the yellow sticky traps (there's cute versions too) to find the main plant (s) they've infested and repot this plant -- throwing away the old soil which will have eggs etc.
The most fun natural way to kill them is to put some Sundews and other carnivorous plants near them. It's super fun to see them go to work, and you can move the carnivorous plants back to their sunny spots afterwards. The most useful and easy way to do this is to include a cup of apple cider vinegar near your plants to attract and trap the gnats. Funny enough, this works very well with a leftover cup of white wine too (don't ask me how i learned that haha)
Are there any chemical treatments that work well to eliminate gnats?
I love the natural Earth's Ally brand - their ingredients are all natural. Check it out here (not sponsored anymore) https://www.lowes.com/pd/Earth-s-Ally-3-in-1-Plant-Spray-24-fl-oz-Organic-Natural-Insect-Disease-and-Mite-Control-Trigger-Spray/5005451375?store_code=1753
What are some preventative measures to keep gnats away?
I spray all my plants with an easy to make spray (ingredients which you likely already have at home) at least 2x a month as a proactive measure. The mix is 1/4 alcohol, 1/4 peroxide, 2/4 water mix. It's a great way to "clean" your plants and there is no residue left. It'll also leave your plants shiny and is a quick way to clean them.
This is a great way to avoid pests and as someone who has had up to 400+ at home it's the most efficient way. Make sure you’re spraying the entire plant, including underneath leaves and around the petiole as this is a commonly missed spot where juvenile pests and even eggs may hide. You will get pests, it's inevitable, but how you plan proactively will minimize the work after the fact and keep your plant babies alive and happy!
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