I'm hoping you can answer a question: Can fungus gnats hide in your home, outside the soil? Despite having most definitely sterilized all my soil and pots and cleaned the roots of my plant, they came back!! From where?? Here are the details, in case they're helpful: I had a sansevieria plant, my one and only plant, for over 20 years, and never saw a fungus gnat. I repotted it a few months ago in a large, deep pot, using Miracle-Gro potting soil. There were apparently fungus gnats in that soil, because an incredible infestation started within a few days. Neem oil, peroxide, mosquito bits, and dozens and dozens of yellow sticky traps covered in thick layers of dead fungus gnats. But they kept coming. I eventually realized that inadequate drainage was making matters worse--the topsoil was drying 2-3 inches down, but deeper in the pot it was very wet. I took the plant out, rinsed the roots very well (fortunately, they were in decent shape), and placed them in water for about ten days, then laid them flat and let them dry out for 4 days. (All respect to sansevierias and their powerful will to live!). I sterilized the pots, and waaaayyy over-heat-sterilized every bit of soil in my house twice, then I used a pretty strong peroxide soak, and then threw the soil in the oven again. I was taking no chances. I planted one small and one large sansevieria pot, and planted a couple of scallions in a very small pot (same sterilized soil) which dries out quickly. I invested in a soil moisture gauge, and monitor frequently. I didn't water the big sansevieria pot at all after planting, and for six weeks, then did so from the bottom. I watered the small plant once or twice during that time, insuring that it dried out completely. Oh, and I have an oscillating fan aimed at the plants. BUT.... At about week four, fungus gnats appeared. W-H-A-T??? WHERE DID THEY COME FROM??? (The ALL CAPS are stand-in for language that would've made my mother blush). Hence my question about fungus gnats laying dormant outside the soil. I live four floors up in a Manhattan (NYC) apartment. BTW, all three plants are doing very well. Thank you!!
Anywhere that mold is. Fridge, freezer, a lost half full can of pop, any rotten dairy products, moldy sponges, garbage, any food that's not in an airtight container, lace/mesh like fabric that's wet. Chances are that your whole apartment building is infested with them. They're probably having a great time with mrs Johnson's body down stairs, when the last time anyone has heard from her? 🤔 these things are just as bad as fleas probably are. They move really fast too. Goodluck mate uu
I mixed a little bit of Dawn dish soap with water watered my plants it killed the larvae, for the adults couple of drops of Dawn mixed with vinegar took care of them they love yellow so I used yellow containers and or ones colored yellow on the outside with a Sharpie marker 🪦
Yes they do bite and it’s very itchy. I don’t know why the gnats are attracted to my head . They like to crawl under my hair and bite my scalp. I can’t sleep at night as they are always biting me. Does anyone know how I can stop them from attacking me. I feel like they are constantly torturing me with their bites. Please help me.
@@quentelhill5074 No I’ve checked everything there is no sign of bed bugs. I literally have these gnats hovering around my face and hair all the times. It’s like tiny little midgets that are driving me nuts. Some ppl say it’s the sweet smell they like or the carbon dioxide that we breathe out. I’ve tried putting all kinds of lavender, tree oil , lemon,essence on my hair and they keep away for an 30 mins or so but then start again. I can’t sleep.
I'm hoping you can answer a question: Can fungus gnats hide in your home, outside the soil? Despite having most definitely sterilized all my soil and pots and cleaned the roots of my plant, they came back!! From where??
Here are the details, in case they're helpful:
I had a sansevieria plant, my one and only plant, for over 20 years, and never saw a fungus gnat. I repotted it a few months ago in a large, deep pot, using Miracle-Gro potting soil. There were apparently fungus gnats in that soil, because an incredible infestation started within a few days. Neem oil, peroxide, mosquito bits, and dozens and dozens of yellow sticky traps covered in thick layers of dead fungus gnats. But they kept coming.
I eventually realized that inadequate drainage was making matters worse--the topsoil was drying 2-3 inches down, but deeper in the pot it was very wet.
I took the plant out, rinsed the roots very well (fortunately, they were in decent shape), and placed them in water for about ten days, then laid them flat and let them dry out for 4 days. (All respect to sansevierias and their powerful will to live!).
I sterilized the pots, and waaaayyy over-heat-sterilized every bit of soil in my house twice, then I used a pretty strong peroxide soak, and then threw the soil in the oven again. I was taking no chances.
I planted one small and one large sansevieria pot, and planted a couple of scallions in a very small pot (same sterilized soil) which dries out quickly. I invested in a soil moisture gauge, and monitor frequently. I didn't water the big sansevieria pot at all after planting, and for six weeks, then did so from the bottom. I watered the small plant once or twice during that time, insuring that it dried out completely. Oh, and I have an oscillating fan aimed at the plants.
BUT.... At about week four, fungus gnats appeared. W-H-A-T??? WHERE DID THEY COME FROM??? (The ALL CAPS are stand-in for language that would've made my mother blush). Hence my question about fungus gnats laying dormant outside the soil. I live four floors up in a Manhattan (NYC) apartment.
BTW, all three plants are doing very well.
Thank you!!
Anywhere that mold is. Fridge, freezer, a lost half full can of pop, any rotten dairy products, moldy sponges, garbage, any food that's not in an airtight container, lace/mesh like fabric that's wet. Chances are that your whole apartment building is infested with them. They're probably having a great time with mrs Johnson's body down stairs, when the last time anyone has heard from her? 🤔 these things are just as bad as fleas probably are. They move really fast too. Goodluck mate uu
I don't have any houseplants! Can they come from outside?
You may have sewer gnats, pour hot water and bleach down your drains
I mixed a little bit of Dawn dish soap with water watered my plants it killed the larvae, for the adults couple of drops of Dawn mixed with vinegar took care of them they love yellow so I used yellow containers and or ones colored yellow on the outside with a Sharpie marker 🪦
I have rat mites, fleas, and midges and near anything I own that uses water has issues, these bugs attack me and family and little Gary the cat
Good tips
This is why I hate plants inside the house🤦
they stay on the wall away from the killer mix what now
Spray neem oil ? Fogging something that kills them on walls and ceilings?
Some do bite they live on blood
Yes they do bite and it’s very itchy. I don’t know why the gnats are attracted to my head . They like to crawl under my hair and bite my scalp. I can’t sleep at night as they are always biting me. Does anyone know how I can stop them from attacking me. I feel like they are constantly torturing me with their bites. Please help me.
@@reddykanta7337 no they don't bite. They don't even have a proboscis.
Don't recommend spreading miss information. Black flies can bite you.
@@reddykanta7337 that actually sounds like beg bugs
@@quentelhill5074 No I’ve checked everything there is no sign of bed bugs. I literally have these gnats hovering around my face and hair all the times. It’s like tiny little midgets that are driving me nuts. Some ppl say it’s the sweet smell they like or the carbon dioxide that we breathe out. I’ve tried putting all kinds of lavender, tree oil , lemon,essence on my hair and they keep away for an 30 mins or so but then start again. I can’t sleep.
@@reddykanta7337 yeah there in my house bad especially in the kitchen I have to seal everything up
There's no plant in the room or house
I hate when the narrator speaks so fast , I can'''''t keep up
Slow the video down. Tap the video for additional controls. I hate it when they talk to slow. 😆