Please help me!!! The gnats are driving me crazy!!!

[dyeLucky]

I need some help...

I have 2 chameleon cages, a 3ft and 6ft cage. One had a kind of ficus in it and the other has 2 other ficus in it. I have lined the dirt with an inch of sand, then put rocks on top of it. I still have tons of gnats! I also bought a fly catcher strip and hung it above their cages and it has caught quite a few.

Does any one have any suggestions?!?!

 

[absolutbill]

It will be a pain, but pull the ficus trees out and take them outside. Then, wash the entire tree (leaves, branches, and trunk) in hot soapy water to try to wash off any gnat larvae that is in there. Also wash off the pot they are planted in. Dry it all and put it back in the cage.

Are you sure the gnats are coming from the ficus? I get them if I don't completely scrub the veggies that I use to gutload, because the larvae is already on the outside. So, if you have your bugs in the same room, and veggies in there to gutload the gnats may be coming from there. It's definately a pain, but good luck! Also, I assume you mean that the fly traps are outside of the cages, but I just want to double check.

 

[dyeLucky]

I'll try those things. Yes I really can't think of anywhere else they could be coming from. And yes, the fly trap is hanging from the ceiling...LOL!

 

[ponders]

I mix up a solution of very soapy water, using dish soap. Get it all foamy, and pour it into the potted plants. It kills the larvae/eggs living in the soil. You should do it weekly for a while. This has always worked for me.

I tried the sand, didn't really work. You can leave that in there, just pour the soapy water thru it.

 

[nick barta]

go to www.hydro-gardens.com.

They sell Nematodes which attack soft-bodied insects in the soil. The order number is 5P393A Guardian/gnat Patrol 1 Mil mix, $11.45. It comes as 2 spots on a sponge, you put it into water, and soak the plants (This little bit of Nematodes will treat 1/4 acre if used in a spray bottle!), and you will see a big reduction on gnats.

They also sell bright yellow 3" by 5" cards sticky cards to catch the adult flying gnats.The order number is 5P343, 25 for $9.95.

The freight for my order was $28.03 because the Nematodes are alive, so the whole order cost just under $50.00.

Good instructions on how to apply the Nematodes.

I had 4 areas with Fungus Gnats, and it stopped 75% in the first week.

CHEERS!

Nick