Use BTI. Sticky traps are not a treatment for fungus gnats. They can help speed the process, but their main purpose is identification of pests so that real treatment plans can be put in place.
Edit: adding thoroughness.
BTI (bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) is a bacteria that is very safe, naturally occurring, and extremely specific about what it kills. It can remove an extreme infestation like this in a matter of a few weeks, with a noticeable drop off in rates after just a few days as adults begin to die off and new ones can no longer replace them. It kills by preventing the larva from feeding after it has been ingested. It does require some patience though as some larva will continue to turn into adults at the beginning, either from not being infected by the bacteria, or having already stored enough energy to turn into an adult. But just continue to water it in whenever you water and in 2-4 weeks there will be no more gnats (complete extermination). My preferred brand is Microbe Lift because it’s liquid and ultra concentrated which makes mixing much easier than bits that have to be strained out of the water.
kj4peace
I use systemic granules and I never get pests.
UntoldHorrors
I’ve managed to keep fungus gnats under control after a bad outbreak in a bird of Paradise. There are many solutions and I don’t think it’s a lost cause. Easiest method for me was simply using watering globes to prevent the top few inches of dirt from getting wet. Good luck!
kenedelz
I put my plants outside in the summer heat for a few days and everything died (not the plants the bugs) then I brought them back in after like a week, nothing has been back inside yet. Some of my plants are enjoying the summer weather so they’re out there living with a cat face spider friend now.
If you can’t take it out or don’t want to, replace that soil ASAP, that’s too many gnats and I’m sure they’re driving you CRAZY, which is why I say ASAP, do it outside and then be careful about watering for a few weeks until all the adults die off once you bring it back in
submachinegunjo
“cat face spider friend”
I would like to hear more about this 🤔
DukeRae
Soak the soil with a 10:1 solution of water and peroxide to kill all eggs and larvae. I started mixing in systemic insecticide granules and mosquito bits with my potting mix and I never have issues with gnats.
jeremebearime
I forget which Bacillus sp will help, but there’s a start for your search. There are also nematode treatments. They take a bit to work, but I’ve had fairly good success in controlling the population I was dealing with. I had hundreds of sticky traps. Sticky traps are a great indicator for their presence, but not effective on their own.
eggoed
I just use a top layer of leica or decorative glass pebbles. The gnats can’t then lay their eggs in the soil. Read it online somewhere and generally has significantly lowered the gnat levels.
Veggiefather
Start bottom watering, this can help significantly reduce the amount of gas that hatch in the soil
southeasternAZhobbit
Put it outside in the shade for a few days to a week. Let everything dry out and all the gnats and larva will die. Bring it back inside. Cut off all dead parts. Start watering from underneath.
Firm_Marionberry_282
Diatomaceous earth!
dogmetal
Mosquito bits, cinnamon and diatomaceous earth. It’s war time.
Blue_fox11
Sticky trap and mosquito bits work wonders on fungus gnats. I had a major problem with them a bit ago, and it got rid of them pretty much within a week.
GenerationalTerror
Makes you think they aren’t watering properly. No reason that many adult gnats should be on that sticky pad.
Venlafaxinator600
Im on my way to buy so many watering globes. Join me!
El_human
Get a couple Mexican butterworts. it’ll take care of those suckers and they won’t keep breeding on the fly strips
bofh000
Sprinkle food grade diatomaceous earth in the top 2-3cm of soil and also at the bottom of the pot, where it drains (make sure it’s food grade, not industrial grade diatomaceous earth, the latter is potentially cancerous when inhaled). That should take care of the larvae immediately after they hatch, so the reproduction cycle is interrupted. Meanwhile keep putting up sticky paper for the remaining adults.
And make sure the pot has very good drainage, and there’s no root rot.
13thmurder
/r/eatityoufuckingcoward
MidnightPractical241
I just put decorative sand about 1.5” (4cm) deep at the top. Zero issues.
19 Comments
Use BTI. Sticky traps are not a treatment for fungus gnats. They can help speed the process, but their main purpose is identification of pests so that real treatment plans can be put in place.
Edit: adding thoroughness.
BTI (bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) is a bacteria that is very safe, naturally occurring, and extremely specific about what it kills. It can remove an extreme infestation like this in a matter of a few weeks, with a noticeable drop off in rates after just a few days as adults begin to die off and new ones can no longer replace them. It kills by preventing the larva from feeding after it has been ingested. It does require some patience though as some larva will continue to turn into adults at the beginning, either from not being infected by the bacteria, or having already stored enough energy to turn into an adult. But just continue to water it in whenever you water and in 2-4 weeks there will be no more gnats (complete extermination). My preferred brand is Microbe Lift because it’s liquid and ultra concentrated which makes mixing much easier than bits that have to be strained out of the water.
I use systemic granules and I never get pests.
I’ve managed to keep fungus gnats under control after a bad outbreak in a bird of Paradise. There are many solutions and I don’t think it’s a lost cause. Easiest method for me was simply using watering globes to prevent the top few inches of dirt from getting wet. Good luck!
I put my plants outside in the summer heat for a few days and everything died (not the plants the bugs) then I brought them back in after like a week, nothing has been back inside yet. Some of my plants are enjoying the summer weather so they’re out there living with a cat face spider friend now.
If you can’t take it out or don’t want to, replace that soil ASAP, that’s too many gnats and I’m sure they’re driving you CRAZY, which is why I say ASAP, do it outside and then be careful about watering for a few weeks until all the adults die off once you bring it back in
“cat face spider friend”
I would like to hear more about this 🤔
Soak the soil with a 10:1 solution of water and peroxide to kill all eggs and larvae. I started mixing in systemic insecticide granules and mosquito bits with my potting mix and I never have issues with gnats.
I forget which Bacillus sp will help, but there’s a start for your search. There are also nematode treatments. They take a bit to work, but I’ve had fairly good success in controlling the population I was dealing with. I had hundreds of sticky traps. Sticky traps are a great indicator for their presence, but not effective on their own.
I just use a top layer of leica or decorative glass pebbles. The gnats can’t then lay their eggs in the soil. Read it online somewhere and generally has significantly lowered the gnat levels.
Start bottom watering, this can help significantly reduce the amount of gas that hatch in the soil
Put it outside in the shade for a few days to a week. Let everything dry out and all the gnats and larva will die. Bring it back inside. Cut off all dead parts. Start watering from underneath.
Diatomaceous earth!
Mosquito bits, cinnamon and diatomaceous earth. It’s war time.
Sticky trap and mosquito bits work wonders on fungus gnats. I had a major problem with them a bit ago, and it got rid of them pretty much within a week.
Makes you think they aren’t watering properly. No reason that many adult gnats should be on that sticky pad.
Im on my way to buy so many watering globes. Join me!
Get a couple Mexican butterworts. it’ll take care of those suckers and they won’t keep breeding on the fly strips
Sprinkle food grade diatomaceous earth in the top 2-3cm of soil and also at the bottom of the pot, where it drains (make sure it’s food grade, not industrial grade diatomaceous earth, the latter is potentially cancerous when inhaled). That should take care of the larvae immediately after they hatch, so the reproduction cycle is interrupted. Meanwhile keep putting up sticky paper for the remaining adults.
And make sure the pot has very good drainage, and there’s no root rot.
/r/eatityoufuckingcoward
I just put decorative sand about 1.5” (4cm) deep at the top. Zero issues.