Gnats

[vega_279]

Help got bugs!!

[jay]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

Usually a few gnats are not a problem. If you have a heavy infestation the real worry is the larvae in the pots. They are the ones that nibble on the roots. I get some every year and control them with carnivorous plants like Drosera (sundews). You can get these at Lowe's.

If you prefer treating, try this link.

The Best Stuff Ever!!!

Hope this helps.

[vega_279]

Good idea didnt think of that thanks, its not to bad just one orchid and I isolated the plant.

[mehitabel]

As Jay said, the problem with fungus gnats is the larvae in the medium which feed on roots. They usually start when the medium is kept too wet. I have gotten them when I used sphag, especially after several days of rain.

If you only have them on one orchid, it could be the medium is broken down the orchid should be repotted.

The larvae of fungus gnats are controlled by bacillus thuringus (sp), called BT. BT is *not* a poison, so it is perfectly safe to use around pets or humans. BT is a bacterium that destroys the larvae of fungus gnats, thus eliminating the gnats.

BT is the very same stuff that is used to destroy the larvae of mosquitoes. So you can get it everywhere in the summer-- it's the active ingredient in mosquito dunks.

So get some mosquito dunks, soak in water as directed, and use that water to water your orchid. I found it took three or four waterings to get rid of them in sphag -- might be less with a bark medium, I don't know.

You can also buy some yellow sticky flags that trap the flying gnats and use it to know when they are there (and when they are finally gone)

[Orchid664]

The easiest and cheapest way that I have found to get rid of fungus gnats is to pour rubbing alcohol (isopropanol) through the medium. Once is usually enough. You can purchase it in any drugstore, Walmart, supermarkets, etc. It does not harm orchids or other plants.

[Tygre]

Wow! Good to know. I've only seen one so far so I hope I'm safe! =D