I do the same as Josh. If you want to reduce the number of fungus gnats, there are much better remedies than pruning though.

A few cures for fungus gnats.

10 Stop watering so FREQUENTLY--- Watering schedule(weather notwithstanding) should be deep, infrequent soaks as opposed to light, frequent watering.

2) Use a solution of 4 parts water to 1 part Hydrogen Peroxide(3%) and use as a soil drench.

3) Mosquito dunks. bacillus thuringiensis ( Israeliensis variant)

4) Chamomile tea. Brew a cup of chamomile, remove bag and brew it again in a fresh cup of hot water. Mix the second cup with a quart of cold water and use that as a soil drench. Relax and drink the 1st cup.

5) Sprinkle some cinnamon around your plants as a deterrent

Kevin

I agree with all the above. If you just do #1 and #2 in Woohooman's post, you will solve the problem. If you use the hydro peroxide, you should continue watering with that solution for at least two weeks to ensure you kill all the generations of the fungus gnats. The hydro peroxide will not harm the plants in any way as long as you don't mix it any stronger than 4:1.

Cinnamon doesn't seem to be doing the trick, maybe I'll resort to hydrogen peroxide but it scares me a little. My ghost pepper is pretty well established and just started producing a couple flowers a few days ago, you think I can just let them be and not water for a little and they'll be fine even with the gnats? Also I have been giving it infrequent deep watering from the start

I also have a habanero plant that only has a few of the gnats, I'm assuming just bc it was right next to the ghost, and I've watered them both the same way and amount, although the habanero does dry out a little quicker for some reason, maybe bc I have slightly less potting mix in it, but it's only like 1/2 an inch less

Hydro peroxide won't hurt you peppers. However, I don't know that I would bother if they are outside. I use it on my seedlings in doors. They tolerate it just fine. I think some claim that it is actually beneficial to plant growth. Something about the roots.

Outside, the gnats don't bother me and I can't even remember if I have noticed an infestation of them outdoors. The thing is, if they are prevalent in your area, they will just return when you stop treating for them if you are growing outside.

They can be detrimental to plants as the larvae eat the little root hairs on the plants. But unless they are really bad, don't worry about it. Hydro Peroxide if you do decide to treat for them.

Sorry for all the questions. This is my first time growing peppers. But my habanero plant is doing pretty well in an admittidely small container, I think it's just shy of 3 gallons. I have about 8 peppers growing. 1 that I think is full size but not ripe and 2 others that are just behind that one and then several other small ones. No new peppers have formed in probably the last ten or so days and the small peppers I feel like haven't gotten any bigger in that time. Any ideas? It's almost like pepper production just came to a halt. I did just fertilize it yesterday so maybe that'll help?

How hot has it been? Sometimes when temps get in the upper 90's for long stretches, plants will stop flower production. As long as there's good flower production, I'm sure the pods will soon be coming in bunches. Now might be a good time to get in a larger container though.

Kevin

It's been around 80ish during the day and 60 at night, off and on sun tho unfortunately

Temps sound perfect, but intensity of sun can make a difference...I've not seen a difference in production when plants are just shaded by cloud cover(still DIRECT sun), but I have seen a difference when too much SHADE(fence, trees, shade cloth, etc.) is present.

Like I said before though, if flower production is good and you're not dropping tons of blossoms, then pod production should be good...especially with habs---they produce like crazy once they get in full swing.

Kevin