Gnats in the garden!

[Syn]

I can't get anywhere near my garden without being attacked by gnats.

What's a simple way to get rid of them?

I've heard standing water with soap in it will get rid of some, but not all.

I just planted some strawberry, mint, pineapple sage, tomato, (replanted from pots) and will be planting watermelon and cucumber seeds tonight.

I doubt all of them are in season but hell, I was bored.

 

[BocaJan]

I sprayed my plants with soapy water.

 

[Syn]

My mom said the same thing, haha. Thanks BocaJan.

 

[dodolah]

used the Steinernema feltiae nematodes or Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis for greater control.
They will eat all the gnat babies from hell.
While the adult one can be solved by fly trap or a bowl of standing water.
They love to dive and die in the process.

Plus, according to the manufacturer, the nematodes and bacteria are harmless in case your dog or cat decide to munch the soil if they love eating soil

 

[Syn]

Where on earth do you get something like that Dodolah?

 

[dodolah]

some info:
http://www.hort.uconn.edu/ipm/homegrnd/htms/39nemat.htm
http://www.mastergardeners.org/publications/nematodes/beneficial_nematodes.html
http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/biocontrol/pathogens/nematodes.html

Where to get them:
http://www.planetnatural.com/site/beneficial-nematodes.html
http://www.thebeneficialinsectco.com/beneficial-nematodes.htm

They sell by millions. Does one million nematodes enough?

And the Bacteria one:
http://www.planetnatural.com/site/gnatrol.html
http://www.bghydro.com/BGH/itemdesc.asp?ic=PCGNAT32

So, up to you, whether you want bacteria or parasites to make the gnats suffer.

 

[Syn]

This is very intimidating lol! They're fine even with fruits and vegetables?

edit: they say 1 million will cover 2000 sq. feet - I only have about 40.

 

[dodolah]

This is very intimidating lol! They're fine even with fruits and vegetables?

They attack only the gnats larvae.
and, they keep attacking for 18 months.
not the fruits or vegetables or the root.
I don't see them climbing to the fruits and all...
If i am not mistaken, I think Sandrachameleon use the nematodes before.. Perhaps, she or any other members, can tell us a bit about this method.


I'm not sure about what happened when you eat the soil with the nematodes and bacterias... But, they claimed that they are safe for human and pets.

Plus, you gonna wash the fruit before you eat them, aren't you?

 

[Syn]

Of course I am, I think there's poo in the soil. T_T

I will have to try this method once Sandra or someone else chimes in and gives the go ahead!

 

[dodolah]

Of course I am, I think there's poo in the soil. T_T

I will have to try this method once Sandra or someone else chimes in and gives the go ahead!

lol..
I am purchasing one myself for killing the gnats in my chameleon cage.
I read the cornell.edu and uconn.edu one.
They say the nematodes specifically live only in the soil.
The lab tested the nematodes on 30 species, and so far the nematodes only react to the gnat's larvae.
seems like they favor the nematodes more than the bacteria based on the effectiveness and the easy applications.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I've used beneficial nemotodes in my greenhouse with great success - no more gnats

 

[Syn]

Alright I will definitely have to try these nematodes out! Hopefully I can find something smaller than one million, though lmao! Thanks Dodolah and Sandra.

 

[dodolah]

Alright I will definitely have to try these nematodes out! Hopefully I can find something smaller than one million, though lmao! Thanks Dodolah and Sandra.

hahaha.. I think one million is enough to kill 5 potted plants.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Try a local garden nursary, especially one that supports organic gardening. but if you end up with extras, share with your neighbours - good for lawns too

 

[Syn]

Lawns? In Arizona? You are too funny Sandra. In Arizona if you have a lawn your water bill is about 400$ a month.

I will check out the local nursery - but I doubt they have any!

 

[sandrachameleon]

oh! If it's dry there, I wonder why you have gnats? They like moist/wet conditions.

 

[Syn]

This time of year it's not so hot, and the water doesn't get soaked up as quickly... but it still does get soaked.

 

[sandrachameleon]

off topic but I'm curious - whats the normal ambient humidity outdoors there this time of year? other seasons?

 

[Chase]

I'm not surprised you have them. With all the sweet things you've planted. You should buy some bulbing onions from walmart and put some of those around the plants. The scent should be stronger, but if not, you can always plant some more.

 

[Syn]

http://www.met.utah.edu/jhorel/html/wx/climate/rh.html

Look for Phoenix, AZ.