Quote:
Originally Posted by Subrosa
The organism in mosquito dunks is known as Bacillus thuringiensis israeliensis and is normally available in several forms at any garden center.
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I've searched online for these mosquito dunks and it seems like they don't sell them here in the Netherlands, or the "Bacillus thuringiensis israeliensis." It seems like I can only get it if I order it from Amazon from the States. I'm going to ask a friend who has more experience ordering from Amazon. I've never done this before.
---------- Post added at 04:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:19 AM ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray
Correct. They live off fungi growing on decomposing organic matter. when they have stripped that clean, they go after roots.
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Hmmm, yeah that's the part I'm worried about.
---------- Post added at 04:41 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:21 AM ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul
Options:
1) Switch to a less organic mix -- one that drains better and dries out faster. (Yes this does mean you may need to water more often but the drying out will be an issue for the larvae.)
2) Water with mosquito dunk water. (NOTE: This is NOT a quick fix. The adult gnats will not be affected. It is the larvae that will be killed.)
3) Reduce watering so soil does not stay so wet.
4) For soil plants, top with a layer of fine gravel. It makes it difficult for the adults to reach the soil.
5) Get some carnivorous plants. I honestly can't recall when I last had anything I could call an "infestation". My cps tend to keep the gnats well in check.
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Thanks everyone for your replies.
The good news is that I just repotted the Dieffenbachia for the 2nd time. I realized that I made a mistake last time, I didn't use the right kind of soil. I used garden soil (I didn't know there was a difference but someone then told me that this is too acid) rather than soil for house plants. I flushed the roots out and sprayed them with hydrogen peroxide (I don't know if that helps but I just happened to have that at hand) and I repotted it. The Dieffenbachia is good now, as far as I know no more fungus gnats. The problem was this plant, this is where it all started. Unfortunately I learned too late that I should have separated it from the orchids, in order to avoid spreading.
OK..so the greatest news is that the fungus gnats are down to a minium. There really aren't that many left. But I know they are still there because there is always at least one flying around my head and up in my face. It must come from the orchids, as I said the other plant is good now. Plus I've kept it separate recently.
1) Switch to a less organic mix - Well, I've had this suggestion before, to use Leca balls. I think it might be something for the Phalaenopsis orchids that I've got. The thing is that I repotted all my orchids not too long ago, last summer, now the temperatures are less warm and I'm thinking if I would repot again wouldn't that put them through a more stress again? On the other hand I think maybe my mistake was that I added some spaghnum moss through the bark, maybe I should better have stayed off the spaghnum? At least in regards to the Phals.
But then I've got the other type of orchids that you don't want to let dry out completely, I've heard, like the Paphiopedilum. Not to mention the Macodes Petola that I just got... that one is sitting in spaghnum moss.
5) Get some carnivorous plants. - This one is interesting because I tried that last summer and the Sarracenia that bought died within a few weeks. I don't know what I did wrong, I tried to do exactly as I was suggested when I searched for the care online.
I'm glad at least it's just down to a few of these little gnats... but I'll definitely look into the Dunks thing, even if I have to order it from abroad.
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