Gnats will only appear if the soil conditions are right for the eggs to hatch and the larva to grow into adults, and that happens when the soil is kept too moist. No expensive controls are needed just monitor watering better and do not water those plants until the soil says it needs water. Check that need by inserting your index finger into the potting soil to the first knuckle and if the soil is dry that deep water and if it is not don't water.

Tonia, yes - the Knock Out Gnats works very reliably. Any of the products with BTi (baccillus thuringiensis subspeciies israelensis) will take care of gnats.

Don't become impatient with it though, it takes about three consecutive waterings (on your normal watering schedule) with the BTi solution to stop the breeding cycle and elminate them. I don't water until houseplants begin to show a little wilt, like every 7 - 10 days, so that means about 30 days before they are truly gone.

next year.. try the suggestions at the link ....

do it yourself.. even if the bag says it was done in advance ...

ken

Here is a link that might be useful: good luck

Tonia, I'm interested in what you've said about your potting soil. Are you using the MiracleGro GARDEN soil or their peat based potting medium for container plants? I'm asking because several people have commented on using the soil by mistake, commenting on the smell, bad texture, etc. I also don't think that the container mix contains bark, but the garden soil does.

Though the majority of MiracleGro potting medium users seem to find fault with it at some time or another, not too many people remark about a horrible smell. So....I'm just wondering.

Good luck with the Knock Out....it really does work great!

You can make a pretty good container mix out of plain peat moss and perlite...mixed at about 50:50. Not fancy, no other amendments, NO SAND, NO BLACK SOIL. Initially, it will be hard to get moistened, but with a little mixing, it will do the job better than the typical packaged potting medium. And the fungus gnats are not likely to be at home when there is so much perlite in the mix! Fast drainage of water and lots of nice big pore spaces will result in happy, care-free plants.

Ken is the only one around here who sterilizes his potting mix, so he will have to speak to all of the FUMES issues, lol! Yikes! Never in my house, I promise you that!

Hi rhizo_1! Thank you for the recipe! I will do that!
I noticed the potting medium was hard to get wet also. Whats the problem with Peat? At times it seems it refuses to soak up any water at all! About 10 years ago miracle grow had a good mix and i never had any real problems with pots. Now theres barely any perilite in the mix. I used to use the cactus mix for every thing but it was to much money for the tiny amount you get.
We should develope and market a new brand lol (just kidding)!
Thanks again & enjoy your day!
Tonia

I purchased the Knock Out Gnats, but the mixing instructions are not helpful. 3.2 - 6.4 oz/100 gallons???
How about the amount needed for 1 gallon??? This is a house plant infestation and not a ranch/farm infestation.
Any advice apopreciated.
Thanks,
Rick

I don't know if u had a reply to your question. But here is the application rate for Knock Out Gnats. Light infestation - 1/4-1/2 tsp. per gallon of water. Heavy infestation - 1-1 1/2 tsp. per gallon of water. 3 weekly applications. Hope this helps.

Control of Fungus Gnats in house plants is quitter easy and does not involve spending money on any poisons. Understanding the life cycle of Fungus Gnats can help keep them under control and this article can help.

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7448.html

kimmq is kimmsr

Kimmsr, do you ever read your own links? Knock Out Gnats is one of the controls mentioned in the article you link as being helpful, or rather the active ingredient is - Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis (Bti). It is not a poison, but a naturally occurring bacteria harmful only to gnat and mosquito larvae. Otherwise safe to other living things. I've used it in my mothers ornamental ponds for mosquito larvae and her treasured frogs still thrive.

morz8, yes I do and I am aware that the article does mention some BtI products to use if an infestation becomes intolerable. But the article also mentions keeping the growing media, the potting soil, on the dry side as a first step in control. It is always better to not spend your money on pest controls if there are other, better, methods available.

kimmq is kimmsr

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