How to get rid of fungus gnats - larvae's and other soil pests (omri)

[Tazzmania]

The first reason for pests in our plants is that the organic content of the potting soil is too high, and this soil remains constantly moist. First, the soil is organic, and second, it is moist. When organic soil and moisture come together, it creates an environment that pests thrive in. Since they find nourishing organic waste here, they can feed and grow comfortably. Some pests, like fungus gnats, can even multiply to the point where they bother you in your living room. So, how do we deal with this? First, when preparing potting soil, do your best to ensure it's not too organic. To reduce the organic content of the soil, you can add pumice, bone fragments, small pebbles, and sand. You can also add perlite and vermiculite, which are easily available online.

When you add all of these to the soil, you create a mix that is not heavily organic, meaning it becomes more inorganic. This creates an environment where pests and their eggs or larvae cannot survive. Now, if you can't make this kind of soil and your soil is mainly organic, you'll need to water carefully. Water the plant only when it needs water, and you can check the moisture level with your finger. You don't even need to touch the soil closely to see if it's moist. You can tell just by looking.

Over-watering can create a moist environment that's perfect for pests. What should you do? You need to make sure the surface of the soil is dry. If the surface is dry and it breaks apart when you touch it, it's time to water. However, if the top layer of the soil is moist, don't water it.

Even if the top seems dry, be careful.. (can wait anohter day or 2)

If you water your plant unnecessarily, you'll invite pests. If you're dealing with pests , what should you do? First, stop watering for a few days to dry out the soil surface. Make sure the surface is dry. Then, use wood ash. Be sure it's clean wood ash – not ash from MDF, painted, or varnished wood.

Ash from processed wood contains heavy metal compounds, which can have long-term harmful effects on your plants. Wood ash has an alkaline nature, meaning it's basic. If used excessively, it can raise the pH of the soil, making it more basic. Most plants prefer a slightly acidic environment, with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Using too much wood ash reduces the soil's acidity, which can be problematic for many plants.

sprinkle 4-5 teaspoons of wood ash evenly on your soils top layer and mix it (+you get free potassium)
After this process, you won't water the plant for a few days. This allows the soil to lose its moisture, and the wood ash creates an environment where pest eggs and larvae can't survive. This way, you'll get rid of the pests in your pot.

Try and let me know your results..

 

[m8ty]

Oh hell Narr! You can and will burn your plants using ash to control the gnats not recommended

 

[Tazzmania]

Oh hell Narr! You can and will burn your plants using ash to control the gnats not recommended

According to your logic, drinking water is harmful too; if you drink too much, you will get uncomfortable..

 

[m8ty]

The pH swing from the ash is a killer and it works fast like over night fast.

 

[Week4Bytch]

He did lay out the potential swings in the OP

"If used excessively, it can raise the pH of the soil, making it more basic. Most plants prefer a slightly acidic environment, with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Using too much wood ash reduces the soil's acidity, which can be problematic for many plants."

I've used it sparingly in one of my grows with no problems (20 gallon pots) using teaspoon to gallon of water. During mid to late flower.

 

[Natep]

Try mustard seed meal.

 

[LoveGrowingIt]

I've tried various ways to control fungus gnats. Here are the two I use most often. Both kill the larvae.

1) Letting the top 1-2 inches of the soil dry. This is probably the best. It doesn't add anything to the soil and encourages the roots to go deep seeking moisture.

2) Sprinkling a small amount of baking soda on the soil and then wetting it with a sprayer. The larvae eat it and die. Baking soda, however, has a high pH, so it's best to use as little as possible, and only when the gnat problem is bad. I drilled holes in the lid of a jar and use it like a saltshaker. I don't cover the soil with it--just a light dusting. Then, I spray enough water to attract the larvae, but not so much that it sinks in. It needs to stay on the surface of the soil.