Tracey, I've already got 5 dead seedlings! I'm not waiting another month! After I put the seedlings back in the bag with the pest strip for another 24 hours, I will use Sevin Dust if I still have a problem!
I'm sure many of you will disagree, but I soil drench all potted plants with Sevin 24 hrs before I bring them in the house for the winter. I also lightly syringe and wipe all the vegetation with plain water just before they come in. This advice was from The University of Michigan Cooperative Extension. After battling them using all the home remedies and organic remedies I found this to be the fastest and most effective. 1/4 tsp Sevin to a quart of water. Water plants until the potting soil is thoroughly saturated and water runs out the bottom. The plants are then free of all soil pests and remain that way for the duration.
My infestation began with a potted gift amaryllis from White Flower farm 3 Christmas's ago. Inspite of following all the proper cultural practices, such as allowing the soil to dry throughly between waterings, the little buggers thrived and spread. I buried slices of potato in the soil to trap the soil larva. I used the yellow sticky traps for the flys. I tried the organics, which in my opinion are a complete waste of money and time. I could knock down the population levels but never eradicate them. Then, in utter desperation, I soil drenched with Sevin. I've not had a fungus gnat since."
I also want to say that my babies are looking so clean and healthy and will soon need their first haircut!
