| please help me injoy my yard the bugs are taking over little flying ones what can i use to get rid of these? |
| If you've got a problem with fungus gnats, there are several ways to control your current problem naturally; 1) Fungus gnats love moist conditions so you should avoid overwatering and provide good drainage. Clean up free-standing water and eliminate any plumbing or irrigation system leaks. Moist and decomposing grass clippings, compost, organic fertilizers, and mulches are favorite breeding spots. Avoid using incompletely composted organic matter unless it is pasteurized first. Avoid fertilizing with excessive amounts of manure, bloodmeal, or similar organic materials. 2) Sprinkling clean sand (3/4 inches or more) over the top over those wet areas will help prevent larva development in soil surfaces. It should also help reduce algae growth on soil media. 3) If you happen to have algae, try making an application of pelletized lime. The lime will eliminate the algae which serves as a natural breeding ground for gnats. 4) Beneficial nematodes ("Steinernema feltiae")can provide relatively long-term control of fungus gnat larvae and they can be self-reproducing after several initial applications to establish their populations. These nematodes are available online and can be applied through an ordinary sprayer or sprinkling can. (just remember to keep them refrigerated before you use them) 5) Bacillus Thuringiensis israelensis (sold as Gnatrol) is effective ONLY on larvae. Please keep in mind that this is not the same Bt sold for use on caterpillars. BTi must be applied several times for it be effective. Hope this information provides the natural solutions to help you elimnate your gnat problems. GOOD LUCK! |
