fungus gnats

16 years ago

Hello

I brought some plants (not african violets) up from the cellar a week ago. Suppose they had been too damp because I now see little black flies and am thinking they are fungus gnats. I don't want them to spread the the violets.

Been reading on the web and found Gnatrol and Knock Out Gnats.

Also Mosquito dunks kept in the water for plants.

Mosquito dunks is available here. Does anyone know how much water per dunk? Any ideas of a natural solution to stop these flies before they multiply too much? Right now my violets are under a large plastic cake cover dome and doing well after their broad mite treatments of Avid and Forbid.

Thanks for any information.

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Comments (7)

okie_deb
16 years ago
Hi,
I've not experienced this so far since I'm new to AV's but I ran across something that might work while violet surfing. It's called Gnat Stick Insect Traps. There are 12 to a pkg. for 4.99 at Reed's Greenhouse. Scroll down the page and you will see them on the link below.
Others here may have better solutions than this.,,,,Debbie

Here is a link that might be useful: Gnat Stick Insect Trap
Christine
16 years ago
Natural remedies that many swear by are to water the plants with peppermint tea, sprinkle cinnamon on the surface of the "soil", and to make sure not to keep the mix too wet.
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tommyr_gw Zone 6
16 years ago
Trailer girl, put one quarter of a dunk in your watering container/can. Use sticky traps for the adults. Be persistent.
lathyrus_odoratus
16 years ago
Trailer Girl, I haven't used mosquito dunks per se, but have used a product with the same ingredient and it works well. I add some to my watering water every time and I keep them to a minimum. Because I garden inside and out and have many other plants besides AVs, I don't ever completely get rid of them. I think I do, then they are back a couple months later. Tommyr's advice to be persistent is very good, imho, and I'd add to not worry too much if you see one or two now and then. As long as you are keeping them knocked down most of the time, it's possible you'll see them again. (Or, you may not depending on what you grow and your growing conditions.)
curtis0353
16 years ago
I have found the yellow sticky paper that you can purchase at hardware stores to be very effective in reducing the fungus gnat problems that I have experienced. Just hang a couple on your plant stand and you will be amazed at how quickly they are caught on it. I recently purchased some yellow sticky cards at the MAAVS convention and I am very satisfied with the results.

Curtis
trailer_gal
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks everyone for your fungus gnats advice. I did get the dunks and also ordered the traps. It seems like they are getting under control now.
Sherry
okie_deb
16 years ago
Great news Gal!
I saw a Sundew carnivorous plant at my Lowe's and picked it up just for fun. I put it in with my AV's.
I also bought some fly paper hanging strips just in case to have them on hand. With winter and things staying wet longer I figure it may only be a matter of time till I need something.,,,,Debbie