Hi everyone. I'm sure this is question that you've all had issues with but what is the best ways to deal with gnats in indoor plants soil. It's driving me mad and freaking me out.

Thank you

Sophie84 said: Hi everyone. I'm sure this is question that you've all had issues with but what is the best ways to deal with gnats in indoor plants soil. It's driving me mad and freaking me out.

Thank you

I 100% understand because I deal with them to. They're a pain in the everywhere. Buy a bag of mosquito bits, mix them in your water and use every single time you water your plants.

Or you can buy a product that has imidocloprid like Bayer BioAdvanced Tree And Shrub, and treat once, and they will be gone. Treat any new plants you bring into the house, and treat after repotting anything into new soil.

Unless you live in NY, CT, MD, MA, ME, or VT. I'm surprised its still for sale in California.

imidacloprid is a systemic, that means the poison is absorbed by the roots, stems and leaves of plants - it will kill everything with impunity, including bees, butterflies and you if you use it on a food crop. If you buy it, use it inside only, never on outdoor plants.

Gnats are an indication you are a consistent overwaterer. Use the mosquito bits, Insecticidal Soap as a drench or allow the soil to dry between waterings, much better choices then allowing something like imidacloprid loose in the environment.

Fungus Gnats are usually a sign of high levels of moisture in the soil due to over watering. The adult gnats have a short lifespan of only 10-12 days but they lay their eggs in the uppermost layer of the potting medium where the larvae feed on decomposing matter in the soil before emerging as adults and the cycle continues.

Allowing longer drying intervals between watering should keep Fungus Gnats at bay but when using pesticides, take care to avoid exposure by wearing eye protection to prevent spray blowing into your eyes and gloves to prevent possible skin irritations.

Sophie84 said: Hi everyone. I'm sure this is question that you've all had issues with but what is the best ways to deal with gnats in indoor plants soil. It's driving me mad and freaking me out. Thank you

I have 2 methods of dealing with them:
1: fill a cup with about 3/4 cider vinegar and 1/4 water. Add a few drops of dish soap. Set it in the place where the gnats are. You don't need to use a big cup, small will do just fine. Replace every few days with new as the cup get gross with dead gnats.
2: This has worked very well for me, but it takes a bit more time. I keep my vacuum sweeper out, close to the gnats. 1 or more times a day, I turn it on, take the wand, disturb the gnats so they fly, then just vacuum them up. I usually will then vacuum up a little cat hair etc to keep the gnats from escaping the vacuum cleaner. I was surprised at how well it worked. I had to do it for a few days in a row, then I take a break until more gnats hatch then do it again. Until no more hatch.

TomatoNut95 said: I 100% understand because I deal with them to. They're a pain in the everywhere. Buy a bag of mosquito bits, mix them in your water and use every single time you water your plants.

I use the mosquito bits, but just sprinkle some around the plants and water in. I also use those yellow sticky traps to catch the adults quickly. Toss in the trash after a week or two. Not overwatering is key once you have them under control and quarantine any new plants for a few weeks.