Any tips for keeping gnats out of potted plants?

[AZ Athena]

Just curious. I've had them both indoors and out before and no matter what I tried, they always killed the plant or I got disgusted enough that I chucked it. Is there a way to keep them away? What about once the plant is already infested?

 

[Chuck]

Just curious. I've had them both indoors and out before and no matter what I tried, they always killed the plant or I got disgusted enough that I chucked it. Is there a way to keep them away? What about once the plant is already infested?

Sprinkle garlic powder around the base of the plant indoors and spray garlic tea outside

 

[AZ Athena]

Sprinkle garlic powder around the base of the plant indoors and spray garlic tea outside

I didn't know about garlic. Thanks!

 

[Chuck]

I didn't know about garlic. Thanks!

Knats breed in the damp soil then emerge and become an annoyance but I don't think I have ever heard of them damaging a plant. Maybe we are talking about something other than what I know of as a knat. Please describe them or send a pic

 

[Noodlesoups]

Just curious. I've had them both indoors and out before and no matter what I tried, they always killed the plant or I got disgusted enough that I chucked it. Is there a way to keep them away? What about once the plant is already infested?

I remember hearing a similar question on a gardening talk radio program. They said to use a layer of fine sand over the top of the soil, I guess it is supposed to keep them from being able to lay eggs and stops the cycle. I am not sure where you would get such sand though.

 

[Chuck]

I remember hearing a similar question on a gardening talk radio program. They said to use a layer of fine sand over the top of the soil, I guess it is supposed to keep them from being able to lay eggs and stops the cycle. I am not sure where you would get such sand though.

Mix 2oz of spinosad per gallon of water and use as a soil drench

 

[Pat]

I have a few knats in the house but I don't think they are damaging my plants. I don't think I will spray the plants I will just let the bugs be.

 

[Mockingbird]

I remember hearing a similar question on a gardening talk radio program. They said to use a layer of fine sand over the top of the soil, I guess it is supposed to keep them from being able to lay eggs and stops the cycle. I am not sure where you would get such sand though.

I had a similar problem, I got the sand from the pet store, the kind they use for small reptiles, I figured it would be sterile. I opted against play sand that kids use because there is no benefit to the plant. besides I would then have a giant bag I would have to find use for. Gnats are the worst and they are hard to get rid of, they will weaken your plants considerably. i had to remove any water from the catch tray so they had no moisture. Just water in the sink and then after a time place on a dry catch. Good Luck gnats are no fun.