I’ve gotten so much great advice on dealing with fungus gnats (mosquito bits, nematodes, sticky traps), but I haven’t seen much mention of a strategy I like to call “plant jail.” When I get an infestation, I cover the whole plant and pot in a mesh bag. For bigger plants, I cover just the pot and drawstring tight around the trunk/base. This keeps the fungus gnats contained and from spreading to the whole household.
Anyone else put criminals like this pothos and never-never plant in jail for their fungus gnat operations?
by ALJScribbler
26 Comments
This is hilarious and also an amazing idea, thanks 😂
That’s so smart I’ll def use this!
I use these for my garden plants to keep deer out i never thought of it for indoor plants with bug problems! This is so smart
My conveniently sized plants rarely have the problems. Always gotta be something 5 feet tall or more.
Yes same setup but the gnat is my cat
It contains it, but does it also help in removing the gnats?
Otherwise covering the plants like that long term seems ugly.
No, btw it font work because in the soil are eggs
Topdress with perlite, prevents the larvae from emergying and adults from laying eggs in there
Topdress with (decorative) pebbles or stones.
No more fungus gnats.
Common dude just use mosquito bits like everyone else. I had a severe infestation that was removed in one treatment. No need for all your plants to be packing baggies.
This is a cool idea! I might have to steal it.
Cool Lego people btw 😎
Well I have close to 70 plants… not an option for me lol
Your bird of paradise is beautiful! 😉
So smart! Also, hilarious lol. Saving this for the potential day I’m plagued with them again
It’s more like a leprosy colony
What are you using exactly
Mosquitoes are the only things that are keeping me from having indoor plants. I’m planning to build a permanent enclosure with mosquito net in the hope to keep some succulents.
Yeah and a big zapper
Plant jail for fungal gnats has made my surprise centipedes quite happy. I was surprised with a ton of little centipedes in the soil of some of my plants a while ago, and they seem to have a good time hunting fungal gnats that land on the soil itself. So plant jail keeping the gnats in has made it super easy for them to do some hunting.
https://preview.redd.it/9odu39xw1x4f1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ab1c76ac9ef5672f0464f175a6613859ce3b610f
Yes but for spider mites
I use sticky traps and set up a strong fan pointing at the plants from across the room. Seems to lead the little bastards right to it.
Water less place an inch of perlite on top of soil
I like to refer to it as protective custody. Puts a positive spin on things. And right now everyone who can fit in a bag is in protective custody thanks to a case of thrips.
Y’all need nematodes! That’s why I’m a worm, daddy
I am absolutely shocked it isn’t suggested as one of the necessary steps when using any of the other treatment methods.
I know it’s impractical when people have lots of plants, but if you have that many plants, you are also more likely to have the issues of gnats just shifting pots that this prevents.
Bti.