Fungus Gnats, any new weapons?

[SundayGardener]

I've read a few other threads on fungus gnats, and see that mosquito dunks are recommended (soak the dunks then use the water to water the plants). I also see carnivorous plants suggested. I recently purchased 2 carnivorous pitcher plants at a local nursery, but the pitchers promptly died...the plants are holding on, we'll see.

I have sticky strips, eucalyptus oil blasting away from plug ins, and I just read that bounce drier sheets can be effective? But I've been told this about everything (works on mice--no it does not--etc). There's only so much scented products I can take and bounce + the eucalyptus is pushing it. Anyone had success with bounce?

I've been doing a soap/oil spray every other week, but it does nothing to the gnats. I tried it with isopropyl alcohol last year, but the orchids did not like that.

The big guns (Bayer and Azamax) are coming out soon since I've spotted a few of the dread mealybugs.

Open to all suggestions that are appropriate for indoor application. I wear a mask when I apply Bayer and Azamax indoors, it is too cold to take anything outside.

Final comment: I have had adult fungus gnats follow me to work. I am not kidding. This was last year. I'm hoping to get a handle on it this year.

[estación seca]

A fan blowing across your collection blows the adults away. They can't land to lay eggs. Soon all the larvae hatch, and none breeds.

[jcec1]

The carnivorous plants you need are pinguiculas. They act like sticky fly paper traps, pitcher plants are better for catching houseflies, wasps and other things of that size.

Fungus gnats usually are a sign of things being too damp, so if possible check which things need watered less.

I had a bad infestation a couple of years ago and used the yellow sticky paper, it worked as the population stuck to them and died over a period of a few weeks. I put the papers on the thin canes that you normally use to support spikes in the plants that harboured the majority of the flies.

[Leafmite]

jcec1 is right. Pings (butterworts) are the plants you want. Usually, I never know I have fungus gnats until I see them on the leaves of the butterworts's. If the gnats start being attracted by the phone or computer, I put my butterwort under a bright lamp at night which attracts the fungus gnats. They land on the ping and get stuck...usually just one night takes care of the problem but, sometimes, two nights are required. The flowers are rather attractive, too, and are produced in greater number after gnats are caught so it is a win-win situation. Their care is easy, too...they just need either rain or distilled water, no fertilizer. Until I brought one of these home, I often had terrible problems with fungus gnats, leading to my family wanting me to be rid of all my plants.

If you cannot find a ping, perhaps try putting sticky traps under a bright lamp once it gets dark....

---------- Post added at 01:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:26 PM ----------

The nice thing about these little plants is that they are easy to propagate so you can soon give everyone you know one.

[isurus79]

I find fungus gnats to be fairly seasonal, but I've recently gotten a Drosera for my fungus gnats and I plan to get a Ping or two as well.

[SouthPark]

For outdoor application ------ there is a product "PESTROL ULTRA *OUTDOOR* AUTOMATIC SPRAY UNIT Natural Pyrethrum Timed Micro Mist"

Can just see it in 'google'.

The indoor version is much more common. And there are other brands too ------ based on pyrethrum spray mist that goes into the air every once in a while. Generally powered with the rectangular shaped common 9V battery. Can use re-chargeable 9V battery if needed.

Indoors is probably better - less 'collateral damage' (as in we don't take out other insects too).

[Subrosa]

Instead of using mosquito dunks and granules in a manner they really aren't designed for, just buy the Bti in liquid form, mix it up and use it according to directions.

[SundayGardener]

Wow, thanks for all the ideas! I do have a fan and will make sure that it is running. I don't run it as often in the winter because of the lower temps but I'll go back to running it at a low speed. That is such a great solution, no spraying involved.

I'm getting a few Droseras because they are billed as easy. Will look for pings.

I tried pyrethrin sprays last winter to no avail, but I still have some on hand.

The Bti is a good plan, because I'll have directions to follow.

Now I feel better armed to tackle the gnats. It took me the longest time last winter to figure out what they were and then to discover that they weren't going anywhere until it got warm. The house is not at all damp, it's dry here in the winter, so their abundance is a bit of a mystery to me, especially since their numbers are lower where I have a humidifier. Most of the orchids are kept on the dry side now as well. I do have a few african violets on a wicking system but I don't see the gnats around them as much. Then again, my vision is pretty bad, tend not to see them until they are adults and in my face. Getting a macro lens for my phone really gave me an eyeful.

[hypostatic]

I recently bought cedarcide, to act as a pet safe insect repellent. From the EPA fact sheet it looks like it has some fungicidal properties as well.

[SundayGardener]

Thanks, I'll check it out!

RE pings, it seems that they are dormant or partially dormant in winter, and don't produce new sticky leaves while in dormancy. Since winter is fungus gnat prime time, would pings still be effective?