Fungus Gnats and Pinguicula (Butterwort) - Success

[josterha]

Hi All,

I just thought I would post a quick note. My house had become host to a few more fungus gnats than I was prepared to put up with. I had been thinking about pinguicula to catch the gnats. I bought two small Mexican varieties at a local grower and am glad to report that they worked like magic! When I placed them with my orchids they were clean and now both are happily digesting about 20-30 gnats between them. One has even put up a flower. If anyone is considering this, I would recommend it as a much more visually appealing, and more interesting way to control your gnat population. Much prettier than flypaper!

Cheers,

John

[OrchidSue]

I'm right there with you. I have a couple of Drosera (sundews) and they are champion fungus gnat eaters too. I tend to get a problem in the winter, so got a couple to see what would happen. They are happily getting ready to flower and I don't see many fungus gnats so far .

Susan

[Epiphile]

I'm glad someone brought this up- I keep a few P. moranensis and they do a great job, and they're lovely besides.

[Country Gramma]

Good idea, I just ordered two pinguicula for control of my fungus gnats. I found 2 there must be more
Thanks, Karen

[stefpix]

same here - second that.
I have also a Drosera capensis - which is nice but the Pinguicula moctezumae grows way faster and attracts way more gnats. 2 blooms and making many new plantlets.

It is the largest of the Pings I have and the bright green leaves seems to attract more gnats than the others

[AboutOrchids]

Thanks for the great suggestion. I always like to hear about natural controls. Yellow sticky traps work well for me, but a carnivorous plant would be much more interesting.