Your 70% isopropyl alcohol is simply more diluted with pure water. Adjust your formula to include a higher percentage of it.

70% isopropyl alcohol (undiluted) is a better disinfectant, as the water helps the alcohol penetrate and destroy protein shell instead of hardening protein shell causing protein to go dormant.

? butterworts and pinguicula are the same thing...
Don't give up on them clearing your gnat problem. It may take a while but catching adults eventually breaks the lifecycle and vastly reduces the adult population.

The original photos also show circular patches - any chance those are scale insects? If so, I would go with the Bayer 3-in-1 or Bayer Advanced Rose & Flower.

If not, another option for caterpillars is to try a Bacillus Thuringiensis control (also called BT). It is bacteria-based, only affects insect larvae, perfectly safe for other critters. Widely available in powder form in garden centers. YOu may need to re-apply if it washes off.

Fungus gnat larvae will do that sort of damage to leaves that are close or on the media. They are more clear than green, but I am sure the green from what they are eating will show thru on them. I would spritz the media generously with Malathion if you don't get results from something more gentle first. I don't think Malathion will hurt the seedlings. It certainly doesn't hurt any of my orchids.

Someday I'll tell the story about the Ortho™ salesman who was supposedly drinking Malathion to demonstrate the low human toxicity level. I don't know how he could stand the smell. (I've been in this industry far too long... :rofl: ).

Oh my goodness!!! I hope they paid him well and he has good health insurance. Not to mention the smell. But I have seen where it is the active ingredient in salves used to treat scabies and other 'bugs' that humans get (not from personal experience). So it must have a fairly low toxicity. It stinks but I find it deals with most pest problems quite well.

Fungus gnats are more of just annoyance than problem makers.
I strongly recommend pings. They are like fungus gnat magnets!! :)
Venus Fly trap won't help with such tiny delicate bugs. They might catch occasionally housefly.

Insectiside lable usually include millipedes & caterpillars, which are insects. So insecticides should affect them badly.

Ingesting malathion??? I thought it was supposed to be topical only back when it was in use. I feel bad for the guy.
By the way, even drinking malathion won't help getting rid of parasites if that's what you meant by "bugs" in humans, not on humans. ;)

Have you seen the program called "Monsters Inside ME"?? I never thought parasites can be so deadly and scary!!!

Answer to top question: YES. Bottom question: NO, I don't think so...but try it and tell the rest of us...BettyE

Malathion is still in use but I meant it was the active ingredient in salves for itchy skin pests like scabies and crabs. Again, note, I DO NOT know this from personal experience :rofl:

I think you're referencing my photos OrchidW? I saw the bugs personally, and squished them. They were definitely wormy larvae of some type. Then I sprayed with the insecticidal soap. So far, no scales. I really should move the seedlings inside, but I'm lazy. We have 90% humidity levels so i don't have to worry about keeping humidity up. Guess this is the downside. The soap has worked so far, so we'll see if any more hatch.