Kill bugs in soil and bulbs looks like a knat

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hollysoasis Hammonton, NJ Apr 08, 2014

I have, many bugs in the soil of my potted plants. They look like knats, but run very fast, and are very small. I have tried using seven dust on the foilage and liquid seven in the soil. I have actually submerged the entire pot and plant and or bulbs in the liquid seven, then dusted the foilage and the top of the soil with seven dust. I have, repeatedly, tried to kill these little buggers. I need some help, getting the right bug killer, without killing my plants and bulbs. Does anyone know, a way to rid my garden of these destructive little buggers. Please respond. hollysoasis

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drdawg43 Starkville, MS(Zone 8a) Apr 08, 2014

You might have fungus gnats or aphids. Generally fungus gnats don't damage plants unless there is an extremely large infestation of them. But they end up being gnats, and who wants those around the house. Aphids do damage plants, so you surely want to rid yourself of those, if that's what you have.

Fungus gnats live in moist soil, so if you allow your soil to dry out longer than your ordinarily would, that might just do the trick. You can also use a pesticide made for indoor use that kills flying insects. Insecticidal soap can be used but won't help if the gnats are flying.

If there is a really heavy infestation though, it would be best to purchase sterile potting soil (you can sterilize it yourself in the microwave). Take your plants out of their pots, rinse off all the soil, clean your pots well and then soak them in a 4:1 water/bleach solution for 10 minutes. Scrub them again and let them sit in clean water for 10 minutes to rid the pots of the bleach. Then re-pot your plants with sterile soil/sterile pots.

I personally like to control aphids with sticky traps. Aphids (and gnats too) are attracted to yellow, so purchase or make your own sticky traps. Those you purchase will more than likely be called Aphid/White Fly traps and will be far more "sticky" than what you can make yourself. But homemade ones work. You'll just color index cards with yellow marker/crayon and coat them with Vaseline. Hang those near your plants or punch a hole top and bottom, thread a narrow stick through those holes, and stick the trap in the potting soil. Insecticidal soap is effective. Just be sure to follow the manufacturers directions.

Ken

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