Control Fungus Gnats with BTI Mosquito Dunks - The Ultimate Guide

[@JuanLopez-gh1rb]

The donuts really work...I've used them for years....the trick is to use multiple 5 gallon buckets filled with water....on the far corners of your home or near your pool or fountains....I use four for my home....works like magic!!!

[@mercedesbenzs600bash]

Ok im definitely going to try it,im guessing when i know it's going to rain I should cover it and do you ever change the water or just keep using the same water???

[@runtznstuntzbullylife746]

I have a question I just saw this bc I heard these mosquitos dunks do work, but I also would love to know of anybody has used them by just throwing pieces into the yard? Or do you just put it in the 5 gallon buckets! And I bet you could lure the mosquitos even more by adding dead foliage. Hmmm 🤔 that’s interesting? But I know nothing about these dunks and I hate to hurt my tropical! Plants that is

[@WorldComposting]

@runtznstuntzbullylife746 from what I've read they really need water as they are bacteria. This is why I soak them in water then add the water to my bins. For mosquitos you really need standing water so the 5 gallon bucket is best.

[@HildeAzul]

Thank you! I really enjoy your straight to the point video and the fact the title is actually directly related to the content !!

[@ConstantGardener-q9q]

I put two into my rain barrel and left them overnight. Just watered by hugelkulture mound (which is where the gnats are breeding) and it seems to have worked almost immediately. I plan to douse them again over the next few days. Great remedy

[@WorldComposting]

So glad that worked out for you!! It is nice to see organic solutions work instead of using chemicals that can harm other beneficial insects!

[@eq4175]

I put the dunks in a tea infuser then in the bucket of water. After you let it sit, you can put the mixture in your sprayer and it wont clog. You can find the larger size tea infusers work great, or just break up the dunks in smaller infusers.

[@lyons11siren]

So smart! Great tip!!

[@francenepimenta6340]

The bits are actually corn kernels coated in BT. According to the label, you should soak the kernels in water for 30 minutes, the strain. Works great for houseplants

[@WorldComposting]

I now keep a bucket filled with water in my basement and just add water from that to my sprayer.

[@KindofaScientist]

I am wondering, Can I just mix the bits with soil so that everytime I water they get realsed a bit and therefore constant realse?

[@teresaanderson8596]

Ty. I was wondering what the stuff was coating considering it said to skim the leftover granules out before use.

[@lavvy2585]

@@KindofaScientist Some people do that. I also heard that sprinkling on top of the soil cause mold so I only use the dunks and my gnats were done in days.

[@KindofaScientist]

@@lavvy2585 I am using the dunk too, does the top of your soil get whitish too? it is not fungus i think it is the danks

[@adventuresandreams]

That's a great idea, just leaving a container with a dunks in it. I have an army of fungus gnats on my house plants, and I've tried Neem oil and nematodes, both of which had very little effect.

[@Southern.Nappiness]

I'm using the dunks by adding them to water. They work great in large houseplants like Monstera Deliciosa.

[@AM-eq2ir]

How long do you leave it to sit before you can use the water? Thanks for the video!

[@WorldComposting]

I would leave it for 24 hours and I've had it sitting in my basement for a month before using it in my worm bins. Typically after a month they have dissolved more than it makes sense to keep.

[@AM-eq2ir]

Thank you! @@WorldComposting

[@daniellejeanette]

You can dissolve a dunk into a 2 gallon watering can and water the soil around your plants for fungus knat treatment.

[@alirizarry2433]

How often do you need to do that?

[@carolstuff]

Great information! How long do you use 1 donut for?

[@WorldComposting]

Typically 1 month then I'll add a new one.

[@philmets2967]

A great video, hope I could solve my fungus gnats infestation, may you help me achieve the eradiation in my worm bins. With your knowledge and trials experience, I would have some questions, instead of putting a whole dish in 5 gal water pail could I only put 2-3 gal in order to get a stronger liquid? how often do you stray? also do you start spraying as you establish a new bin? thanks for you help. Phil.

[@WorldComposting]

You can use a smaller bucket/container I just have a lot of 5 gallon buckets. I doubt a smaller container would make it more concentrated as BTi is a living organism that attacks larvae. I do add this to many of the new systems but I don't spray I dump a bunch in and move the bedding around till it soaked it all up.

[@KyleTO7]

It's basically a probiotic, easiest way to explain it. It's a harmful bacteria to larva but doesn't harm humans at all. I'm gonna tie up one of the mosquito dunks to a line and throw it into my local water retaining pond. I might leave the pellets in the stream that leads into the retaining pond :p I gotta get some help with these mosquitoes in my area.

[@WorldComposting]

I can say they work well on mosquitos as I have standing water in my area that had tons of larva in it but added some of this and they were gone within a couple days. I know a ton of people actually have their yards sprayed here to get rid of them. I don't like chemicals but this seems like a great form of pest control!

[@larry9729]

The bacteria is one that my Dad came up with back in the 70's with the other 2 drs. This is the best product for mosquito larvae as it has no resistance to it. If it asks for 1 dunk, use 2 for immediate kill. the one dunk will kill quickly, but for a large problem, 2 will do the trick. Using 2 will not cause it to be more toxic to non-targets species. Birds, fish, etc.

[@larry9729]

it was actually found in a ditch in the Negev desert in Israel, with no mosquito larvae in it. So, its original use was for primarily mosquitoes when discovered.

[@carolstuff]

Can nutrient solution be mixed in with the dunk liquid?

[@WorldComposting]

I would think this would work but I have never tried it. I would think the nutrient wouldn't hurt the bacteria.

[@dragonloveof1]

Hi, how long does the water have to sit with the dunk in it until you can water indoor plants. Thanks

[@WorldComposting]

I typically wait around 24 hours before I use the water. Typically I would fill up the bucket at night then use it the next day.

[@dragonloveof1]

@@WorldComposting Thank you for the fast reply. Now I will wait and watch bugs die. I hope....lol

[@bengtal]

Thank you both! This is the comment I was looking for. I just dropped 2 discs/dunks into a big 9 liter Haws watering can last night, and was wondering how long I should wait. I will wait until tonight before trying to use that water. The dunks do not obviously dissolve or anything, but I guess the living bacteria are supposed to be present, and perhaps there is some sugar/nutrient that leeches off the dunks into the water, to facilitate the bacterial proliferations throughout the water? After waiting 24 hours and then watering, can I refill the watering can get usage from the very same 2 dunks? What is your experience with that, either of you? Thanks again!!!! 🙏

[@WorldComposting]

Yes the dunks should last a while I typically fill my 5 gallon bucket 5-10 times. I normally wait for the dunk to dissolve fully before adding a new one. Another option is to use smaller pieces!

[@bengtal]

@@WorldComposting Thank you so much! very helpful and good information for me right now! Lol, the typos in your comment are pretty goofy 😆Thank you for putting good information up for us, and being so responsive. Be well, and have a great week 🌷

[@wdanho]

How long does the Dunk last in the bucket? Can you remove the dunk from the water and keep the water for a few weeks or should you? I am watering seedlings and they don't take much water. So, if I make 2.5 gals of water, I will have it for a few weeks. Can I remove the dunk from the water and use it the next time I need to make more water? How long do you leave the Dunk in the water to insure you have the right mix of BTI and water?

[@sumedhraina3820]

Does this also work for gnats? How do I get rid of those?

[@WorldComposting]

Yes this should get rid of fungus gnats. I found adding this to the water you add can get rid of the fungus gnats. So I add the dunks to water then wait a day then add it to my bins.

[@melparrishjr]

Hmm... I wonder if it would work in my Kratky hydroponics?! I doubt it would affect the nutrients or the PH of the water at all. But then again, I guess it wouldn't reach up into the net pots far enough to do any good without engulfing the air roots and drowning the plants. And those little pests like the nest between the tops of the air roots and the bottoms of the net cups. But in your case, I think that if you use a paint strainer in your pail before you throw in the dunk you'll be able to easily remove any bits and pieces that could potentially clog the sprayer when you remove the paint strainer from the pail.

[@WorldComposting]

Even with it saying Organic and the EPA saying it is safe I would hesitate to use them directly in hydroponics with fruit/veggies I would be eating. I never thought about this being an issue with hydroponics which I just bought expanded clay to try out aquaponics. I figure the fish would eat anything in the water but they won't be able to get up into the pots. I'll have to think it through a bit more!

[@melparrishjr]

@@WorldComposting Yes, the Hydroton expanded clay pellets work pretty well as a cover to discourage gnats from laying their eggs in the Rockwool or other grow media but it would be best to put down a layer of Perlite underneath the clay pellets. The perlite will keep the surface beneath them dry so that even if the pests manage to find their way down through the clay pellets they won't get past the Perlite. In soil, this is a good tactic too. But then you still need to water your plants and as we know any moisture whatsoever visible on the surface is just inviting them to come and lay their eggs. But if you put a PVC tube down into the soil you can water them at the roots through the tube. Just make sure to plug the end of the tube when you are finished watering.

[@bluewolf4915]

Ordered these for my kiddie pool grow bag system as I saw some little swimmers this morning. Didn't realize I could use them in my worm bins also??? BONUS! Thanks for the info. EDIT: OHHH I just realized I can also use this in my sub irrigated planters! BONUS 2! 😊

[@WorldComposting]

Awesome! I have to admit I didn't realize how safe these items are and I have been adding them to more standing water around my house as I hate mosquitos a lot!

[@lindakean7392]

After all the comments I am still unsure whether or not to add to my rain tote I use to water my organic vegetables and fruits I have in containers. I got an entire 18 gal tote filled with yesterdays storm and would like to put a dunk in there. So is it safe for watering edible veggies or not? Maybe I should just cover the tote. It really saves on the water bill by using rainwater. thanks!

[@WorldComposting]

I would think it would be fine to add dunks to your rain tote. I would not sue it for drinking but here is the EPA website on BTI. www.epa.gov/mosquitocontrol/bti-mosquito-control

[@lavvy2585]

I read somewhere not to use it on edible vegetation.

[@sheilafiorin5298]

Do you water your beds with this? I have fungus gnats in the soil.

[@rahkielsingh6028]

can you aerate it or add them to compost teas your brewing? how long does it need to soak

[@WorldComposting]

I would think aeration should be fine as others use this in fountains and things like that. By design I think it is supposed to slowly breakdown over a month or so so soaking would be a couple days to get the beneficial bacteria that would consume the larvae.

[@simpleman806]

I've used the mosquito dunks last year in my rainwater tote. I didn't much luck with it getting rid of mosquitoes. It did cut back on how many mosquitoes I had. Just to save me a mosquito problem, I just drained the tote and left the valve open

[@cakoll71]

What bins are you talking about?

[@WorldComposting]

My worm bins I show in my other videos.

[@lavvy2585]

I just get the dunk and crumble them into the soil. This seems like it might be more cost effective.

[@C.Double.]

They need to be we to activate the bacteria.. otherwise you are jjust wasting money.

[@Dunnzo69]

Can I put the dunk straight into my hydroponic bucket rather than a bucket on the side?

[@WorldComposting]

I would think you can I have mine on the side simply because I add water to my worm bins and I can't soak the dunks in something that is just moist.

[@chenwu9788]

How many water one dunk can treat? Or how long you use one dunk?

[@WorldComposting]

I typically use a dunk for 3-5 weeks in a bucket of water or unless if fully dissolves then I add another one. I think 1 dunk per 100 square feet of surface water. If you use the bits they work instantly instead of releasing over a month.

[@wdanho]

I would like to know a lot more about the Dunks. How long can I keep the water after putting in Dunk.? Can I cover the five gal. bucket with a lid? Can I add amendments to the water in a Tea fashion?

[@therhythmatic]

I saw a KZbin video where a guy cut about five one inch holes to let the mosquitoes in. He said he put about 5 of them around his backyard. I’m planning on doing this as well.

[@MoteOfDust430]

Can I use this water to water my houseplants?

[@WorldComposting]

Yup should cause no issues and will kill fungus gnats in the potting soil.

[@Jemstk]

Found this at Home Depot and just pock s it up got it 😂ė

[@HANNAHJOJOFA]

Where do you usually put this bucket? And can you use this water to water houseplant?

[@WorldComposting]

The bucket just sits in my basement but could sit anywhere as bugs won't live in it. As far as using it on houseplants I would think you can and it would probably help control any fungus gnats that could live in the soil.

[@lesleyjackson5385]

This is what I need! The gnats are SO annoying! 😮

[@WorldComposting]

They are and they will quickly take over a system. I do keep a zap trap in the basement as well but I have found these really can knock down the quantity.

[@tomslick2058]

Think you need to throw away the bits every time. And this is according to the president of the company via email. He said 4 table spoons per gallon for a hour. And the yellow sticker paper will catch alot of adults. It takes 3 or 4 waterings

[@WorldComposting]

I don't use the bits because they stay there where as the big dunk tablets disappear into the water. I do have some sticky traps hanging but also really like a bug light as they work really well. I haven't done an update in a while on mine but when I notice a lot of bugs dead on and near it I'll make sure to go through and add BTi to all my bins. The biggest issue has been the bins with hamster bedding the fungus gnats really seem to like it.

[@BackBurnerKitchen]

does this also kill the adult gnats or just the larvae?

[@Greenery-f4t]

The adults won't be much of an issue as long as they have no where to breed adults should leave in 7 to 8 days just gotta keep the larvae from growing in the soil and eating your feeder roots coming off the plants

[@mllk12]

Just started using the Mosquito Bits. What I do is put the bits into a few gallons of water in a bucket and let it soak in overnight. Then, I pour the water into a pump spray with a mesh on top to filter out the bits and just spray around the areas where I think mosquitoes are. Not sure if I can still reuse the bits that I filtered out.

[@kendalgee5808]

If you use a black bucket it MAY attract more mosquitos.

[@amandajones3541]

How often do you change the pucks?

[@WorldComposting]

I only change them when they dissolve completely. Which takes about a month or so.

[@juliemead7366]

It's supposed to be a month.

[@Warriori2i]

the granules type ... add to water an then screen them out ,,,toda .. simple ..

[@jmsheyworth]

I hear people recommending some kind of mesh cover to keep animals out. What would you use as a cover and how would you fasten it to the bucket? I tried cutting pvc coated wire mesh to size but it got sloppy real quick. I’m gonna have to make some adjustments, so that’s why I was curious. Thx!

[@WorldComposting]

If you want to cover it I would get some burlap and cover the bucket then just tie a rope or bungee cord around the bucket to hold the burlap down. I know others have said to throw some hay in it so lure in the mosquitoes as well that might help keep animals out.

[@rvremovers]

I think a good idea would be to buy the bucket lid and cut a small hole or two in it. That way mosquito’s can get in to lay their larvae, yet other animals can’t get to the water.

[@LookinGood2009]

I use chicken cloth to cover my pails

[@TheeAntiChris]

Is the water in the bucket hot or cold?

[@WorldComposting]

The water is room temperature as I normally let it sit for a bit for the chlorine to evaporate as well.

[@antmayne8887]

I’m reading to not use treated ready to drink water, what kind of water do you use?

[@WorldComposting]

Great question, I would agree you probably don't want to use public water that is chlorinated as it will kill a the bacteria in the dunks. I do have public water and what I add is some fish tank dechlorinate before I add the BTi. with a 5 gallon bucket a $15 bottle should last years.

[@antmayne8887]

@@WorldComposting thank you

[@dana102083]

​@@WorldCompostingdoes the dechlorobate tablets work on chloramine too?

[@WorldComposting]

@@dana102083If it is for fish then yes it should work as chloramine would kill fish. Either way I would check on the bottle as it should say it will work on both or not.

[@DK-pr9ny]

I've read that it's better to soak them in hot water. Thoughts on that?

[@WorldComposting]

The hot water could help them dissolve faster but I wonder if that might destroy/kill the microorganisms in the Dunks. Typically you would add this to water that has been sitting out. If the water is hot then I don't think mosquitos would be in it either.

[@dana102083]

I'd say warm but never hit. Just like yeast hot will kill so I'd errmon caution.

[@KelloggSabrina]

738 Reynolds Grove

[@DerickEbron-g4l]

Melody Keys

[@bonez6349]

So one dunk to 5 gallons of water...?

[@WorldComposting]

That will work although typically it is a bit less as I don't fill up the bucket!

[@bonez6349]

@@WorldComposting right on... So a half a bucket then.?

[@NewtonLauren-g4w]

Ankunding Lights

[@plumeria50]

Put the solution in a sprayer and saturate the soil. Less solution needed and I believe the fungus knats are near the root zone.

[@dana102083]

I use turkey baster to saturate soil slowly and get all spots.

[@maxbeats1]

The real pests are the glove police on youtube

[@WorldComposting]

I prefer using gloves if people don't that is up to them. I do prefer that people use real gloves instead of disposable so we aren't adding to the waste problem.

[@dinasalazar1552]

It doesn’t work for me , no dirt in the house using Leca and Pon ,Lechuza Pon so far is working for me

[@WindyDimery-r7r]

Koss Spur

[@rml3wood]

Craap