Help with house plants needed, please.

I brought my house plants inside. Now I have a few gnats. One gnat is far too many. What do I use to put on the plants or the soil to kill the gnats?

It's either that or the plants are going to have to go back outside and I'll feel very guilty for causing their demise.

Jan

LOL I distinctly remember having this conversation with you years ago Now if I could just remember the remedy also!!!

A dish of beer? vinegar? Ok what is that site that knows everything... I have a different computer..not sure I put that in favorites...

Post deleted by _Sky

I'll feel very guilty for causing their demise

And the demise of the gnats?

she moved the thread! it was in Technical and advanced search won't find it..
ok I'll pull the url... do an advanced search for gnats by _sky and it will give it to you (longer than a year ago, shorter than 3 years)

Thank you, Sky. I just can't stand gnats. Ick!!!!!

You're right! Come to think of it, we did have this conversation a long time ago. I think I had accidentally left apples in the kitchen. I can't remember what you told me to do! Silly me!

Jan

I won't feel one bit guilty about the demise of the gnats. The plants were invited into my home. The gnats definately were not invited!

You know how it is with uninvited pests - er guests! You just can't wait to get rid of them!

Jan

Jan, just spray the gnats with flying insect spray! Those buggers are really hard to get rid of!!

Do you have a basement to put the plants in till the Ghants go away? Some power perhaps, and mist your plants with a mist bottle.

(((((((((( Tomi & Sarah ))))))))))))))

I can't spray with bug spray. The asthma/bronchitis will flare badly.

I don't have a basement, just a tiny apartment.

Both of them are really good ideas though and thank you so much for trying.

Hugs,

Jan

A bit of wine or vinnegar ( is there a difference? ) In the bottom of a narrow neck bottle.

You can get a pesticide to work in the soil too. Potting soil from department stores often has gnat eggs in it. I agree...yuck.

is there a difference?

Drink a bottle of each and let us know.

Potting soil from department stores often has gnat eggs in it

Petunias hate when that happens.

A mist spray with water! That is what I do to my plants all the time. in fact they get it almost daily, and they are beautiful and healthy!

ok jan i have tons of ideas.

Firstly, I know its sticky and icky, but throw a peice of fly paper up somewhere. It worked for me, just make sure its not somewheres where it can stick to everyone and everything, and if you have cats, put it up high. I had a very funny but annoying accident when the kitten got it wrapped around him. Try getting that stuff out of fur. I tell you its difficult.

Secondly, get a small saucer. Put in the saucer a bit of dish soap, water, and a bit of sugar. Cover with plastic wrap, and poke a few holes in the top. In go the flies, to eat the sugar, where the glycerin in the soap traps them and doesnt let them fly out.

If that doesnt work, a tiny slice of some kind of fruit under the saran wrap the same way should.

If that doesnt work, i suggest making friends with the flies?

Usually if I get bugs on my plants I make a soapy water solution in the sink and then immerse my plants in it. Foliage and all then put them on the counter or bathtub to drain. I have even done it with african violets, the ones that don't like their foliage wet and they were fine. Actually anything left out for the summer I do that to atomatically.Hope this helps.

Froggie, I do that with plants I bring in from outside, too. Lots of pillbugs and sowbugs in the tub after. Yuck! But it works.

For gnats, I spray with a combo anti-fungal/anti-insect/anti-mite spray. The brand is Safer or something like that, and it contains neem oil among other things. It's a more natural product so it's not as toxic to humans. I spray the foliage and the soil.

After spraying, I sprinkle cinnamon over the soil, which is supposed to be an anti-fungal. Gnats usually spread fungus, so not only are they just annoying, they spread diseases among plants. You can also use a sharp sand or chick grit over the soil on your indoor plants. This prevents the gnats from laying eggs in the soil since it's too sharp to get to the soil. This will help prevent them from coming back but doesn't get rid of the ones flying around. Those will eventually die, though.

Good luck Jan,
gg

((((((((((((((( Friends ))))))))))))))))

Thank you for all the wonderful hints. I'm going to try them. I can't stand gnats or bugs of any kind in my home. Don't tell anyone, but I'm a germaphobe! Yes, it's true! It comes from having a very low immune system.

The gnats must go!!! I don't think we can ever become friends! I think it's war!!!!

Hugs,

Jan

Yes, I posted the url but had to delete it since it was so long... you can find our previous conversation through an advance search hehehe

yes, vinegar or wine in a small neck bottle

Hey Neat about the cinnamon althought I did know about its anti fungal properties.

I learned that on a place called Dave's Garden http://davesgarden.com/ It's an amazing site for anything garden and plant related. They also have Household stuff and more.

gg

I don't have fungus, but it is always a risk in this climate, so I am going to sprinkle some cinnamon around when I water the plants today. TY for the great tip.