Choose A Potting Soil With ZERO Gnats With This Trick.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Discord and gnat links below! If you are hanging around Saskatoon I’ll be at Lee Valley Tools tomorrow and Sunday doing wreath workshops and visiting. Stop by and say hello!!! Jump on the discord! subscribe.earthone.io/discord To stop your gnats this is my favourite choice. geni.us/G52ljN

[@superkoopatrooper4879]

I know you're gonna hate this haha. But the only way I've managed to truly get rid of all pests is to use coco coir and run it under really hot tap water for a few minutes. After it's cooled down I inoculate it with organic Espoma. It comes with 5 different strains of bacillus. My plants have never been happier. No soil mite overpopulations. No fungus gnats. No springtail explosions. I wish I could do the same with peat without getting root rot. Spinosad was great but the fungus gnats seemed unbothered. They've been the most difficult to get rid of.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Haha I don’t hate it. If it works that do it!

[@xkorbekx]

"inoculate it with organic Espoma"?

[@annetonge9925]

Thanks to you Ashley. I watched one of your videos on nematodes a couple of years ago. I purchased the Nemaknight and have been using it since. Every time I bring a plant home I make sure to put it in the soil. I can say I haven’t seen any gnats in my plants since.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Literally a miracle product

[@demelzamurphy9111]

I love your videos Ashley, but crikey that bird in the background drives me bananas! 😂 Give him some rusks to munch on when you're on record next 😅... thank you for the info!

[@lesliebehrens7252]

Congratulations on your success. I’ve been gone awhile. When I was watching you I believe your subscription rate was much much lower. I’ve always enjoyed your content but especially your delivery. You’re a riot 😁. Great video

[@DansGus]

This is super helpful. Since im well past the point of preventing gnats lol, I got a giant butterwort. I never see gnats alive anymore. only slowly dissolving into those beautiful green sticky leaves.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Oooo lol I love that.

[@DansGus]

are both of the methods you cover safe for edible plants?@@GardeningInCanada

[@debbielavers9836]

Thank youThank you Thank you! An excellent video! I hope it goes viral.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Awe thank w

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

I use the beads of beneficial nematodes to go after fungus gnats plus yellow sticky traps. Very good information from you, professor.

[@13Peppers]

This was an excellent video. Thank you for the information.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Glad it was helpful!

[@gardeningtroutmaster]

another good informative video thanks sister from northern Ontario Canada

[@GardeningInCanada]

Thanks for watching!

[@wrongwayconway]

I have gnats living in my basement grow light setup in the plants I brought inside. Thanks for the advice! I had heard that popping potting soil into the oven for a bit would kill off anything (1970s garden advice).

[@RabbitPrimeGaming]

Before I found this video, I used Mosquito Bits dissolved in water and yellow sticky traps for the adults. Wiped them all out in a week or two. Works wonders. I also try to bake potting soil in the oven for a while when I'm potting new stuff but. There's limited space so that's really only useful for small lil stuffs. Plus I don't know if it does anything😂

[@Batchat2352]

Bought teo bags of sunshine mix 4 on sale. The big 3.8cu ones. They had holes that were taped.

[@MissChievousRN]

I soil drench with BT and put up clear sticky traps.... KEEP YOUR KITCHEN CLEAN.... there's also stuff to pour down your drains and that does help

[@1egmont]

Boiling water in seed starter mix, let cool seems to work for starting inside. Outside not an issue so far.

[@ExplodingPsyche]

I tried it too, with no luck!

[@RabbitPrimeGaming]

For small amounts, try baking it in the oven in an old baking tray. Just a crazy idea I came up with but idk how any bug could survive a 400 degree oven for an hour lol.

[@Queen_ofWands]

Thanks for the advice. I've been battling fungus gnats with the Sticky Stiks and 2 of my Pothos have mealy bugs. I've not tried Nematodes. As for one Pothos, after cleaning it with soap and water, plus using a Q tip soaked in 70% isopropanol, I got desperate and put it outside in the freezing cold (Southwest Manitoba). It survived, but I'm still watching for mealy bugs. Half of it was gone from the bugs, so I went a little aggressive.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Hahah love it

[@ienekevanhouten4559]

I use Sunshine Mix #4 exclusively. Did not notice holes, and have gnats anyway. They never bothered me much till last year. They devastated the leek and onion starts. I used your advice, sterilised the soil and got nematodes, plus I put perlite on the top. This year I plan to start right, but rats, I tuned into you to check if last year’s nematodes we’re still good. Obviously not. Amazon here I come.

[@vikkirountoit497]

Can gnats come in unseen in store-bought raspberry containers? Are they likely to fly into house when weather outside turns cold? I have had major gnat issues at various times for so many years, so last year I started switching to a lot of water culture and a lot of leca culture, and changed up my soil mix away from organics that gnats seem to prefer - now more coco coir than soil. My gnat issues had disappeared since last December. Well it's December again following year and I saw one last week and I've seen one 3 times since. I've been buying some berries at the market, and I'm not in the super cold like your area, but it's getting to the 40s at night -maybe the cold is driving them into the house from the worm bin in the garage or the plants on the deck? Could they come in unseen in the bottom of a container of store-bought raspberries? Totally funny video on a great topic! And I did not know the reason for the holes in the bags.

[@dpm5519]

Very informative video. I was unaware of why some potting soil had holes in the bags. I'll definitely watch out for that in future especially for indoor use. I've been overwintering outdoor plants along with micro greens because of lack of space. What works for me is systematic watering with Neem Oil. Not perfect but pretty reliable if I'm consistent ( don't wait to see Gnats). My newest overwintering problem is White Flies on undersides of Fuchsia "Gartenmeister Bonstedt". I have had great luck overwintering this plant for years until last winter. Any thoughts.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Benefical mites maybe the answer

[@brianseybert192]

Fungus gnats, one of many species of small flies that can cause problems. A lot of people have issues with small flies. Really depends on the fly. Most commonly, is mistaking phorid flies with fruit flies. Not all, but most fruit flies have red eyes, and their wings are different. I really like the idea of predatory nematodes, one species wiped out my potato beetles. I spy on my soil amendments with my microscope, have never seen a predatory nematode. I see a lot of nematodes, they are mostly bacterial or fungal feeders. I do not purchase any soil amendments, or fertilizers. I have a fantastic garden using my own materials. Anyone can do the same thing, a worm bin, compost and leaf mold pile.. If t was not for the jumping worms I would be selling the stuff I produce. Adore your videos. Stay Well !!!!

[@GardeningInCanada]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@thebandplayedon..6145]

I mean, at this point this point in the world with the dailydose of bad news... I am scared to ask... but, what the hell are jumping worms? I could Google that shit, but, nope. I don't think I need visual aid rn.... lol

[@bigdfig6083]

+1 lol

[@vance7354]

I use Dr Bruce Bugbee's lab blend, never seen a Gnats in my grow tent lol 50% Peat 50% Vermiculite Dolomitic Lime 40g per cubic foot Gypsum 10 grams per cubic foot

[@maizevagastien8399]

I have a 4x8 organic bed indoors. I fought them for years with popsicle sticks and sticky paste ( with some success). Eventually all the gnats just went away and haven't come back in several years. I think it's from a population of springtails that moved in, but who knows. PS I use tons of compost

[@liteweightpup2561]

Don’t worry Ashley about your tech prowess, I have no clue what a discord is🤪 love this information. Although it creeps me out to add bugs to get rid of bugs.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Hahahah that is fair

[@thebandplayedon..6145]

To be fair to the little guys, I don't think nematodes are technically a "bug" tho.. so, there's that I guess. Personally at this point I go with the "...lalala If I can't see you you don't exist.." method of getting thru life. lol This is actually how I began to calm the hell down when finding spiders in my old house. It was a long process, exposure therapy they'd call it these days haha One day it occurred to me before I was gonna whack one... wait, he's big, disturbingl so, but he'd been here for some time before I could at this moment t be in arms reach to flatten him... Anyway, it occurred to me it he's that big he's obviously eating very well, so, wth is he eating that I don't know about??? Anyhoo... he lives here now, his name is Bruce. We have an understanding. Stay outta my face and stay tf outta my bedroom and your welcome to free board with open buffet otherwise. I'll give him credit, my average house fly which have always been an issue is taken care of and oddly i had a big explosion of these tiny moths this ear

[@thebandplayedon..6145]

It won't let me edit, anyway, the random moth explosion was over fast too so I'm guessing Bruce may be over weight at this point, but highly effect at his job.

[@laddalton2265]

I put a layer of 1/8 screened garden pumice on top and that keeps 'em out.

[@GardeningInCanada]

Love that

[@dustyflats3832]

If the population is so large they go to the bottom of cells and the root pruning pots make it even easier for them to set up house.

[@dustyflats3832]

If the population is so large they go to the bottom of cells and the root pruning pots make it even easier for them to set up house.

[@meredithdavis5167]

I'm trying the bacillus thuringiensis but got better results with the nematodes. How long should I wait after discounting BT to safely apply the soil angels that are beneficial nematodes? I would also like to use some mites preventively and i wouldn't want them to succumb to BT! Thanks for bringing facts to the party!

[@DragonflyenAmber]

LOL you crack me up. Fungus gnats are such a pain. Question; have you heard of using ground cacao beans for mulch? My mom watches home reno shows and on one a few weeks ago they used them for a mulch on someone's garden. Is this some new trend or bupkis?

[@GardeningInCanada]

The husk I would assume

[@samantharobertson974]

If you have already used BTI, how long would you need to wait before using Nematodes?

[@bigdfig6083]

A technicality I suppose, but you described the vector utilized by Bt as attacking the gnat larvae. It's been quite some time since I crawled down that rabbit hide, but I vaguely recall it being something like the bacteria is made (forgot the details here) a carrier of crystalline structures that when ingested by the larvae destroy it before it has the chance to proceed through transformation. Tomatoes, tomawwtoes I know 8] Didn't know about nema knights tho. TY for the upload.

[@proudhammer62]

I use Azamax for control of fungus gnats and viburnum beetles and am satisfied with the results.

[@articcolds]

I am new to growing and was taught to make my own soil. Things were great until 2 weeks in and the gnats are everywhere. Plus these mealy bugs. I can’t get ahead of them and decided to remove my plants . I am scared to start another grow because of what’s in my soil.

[@sarahkp729]

In theory could you do organic matter on the bottom and peat in the top couple inches?

[@GardeningInCanada]

That could be a work around forsure!

[@AlbertineWatson]

This was so helpful, thank you! Newbie question...does the application of nematodes or the bacteria you mentioned harm wee seedlings or recently sown seeds at all? Signed, someone whose ambitious gardening plans have introduced fungus gnats to her seedlings and her house plants 🥲

[@lukeblackford1677]

I’m trying mixing diatomaceous earth with the top inch potting soil, I’ve heard soil borne insects can’t get through it.❤

[@tvkitc]

Would the nematodes target the fungus gnat larvae only or would they also go after the other beneficial critters too? Thanks for the great vid!

[@GardeningInCanada]

They are pretty specific in regard to what they eat.

[@missm4174]

Novice here. What's the difference between fungus gnats and fruit flies? Our classroom garden has acquired an extended family of something small, flying, and annoying. Any chance these amazing nematodes will eat them all?

[@hannahbeertz1231]

I wonder if leaving my bag of soil in an unheated shed through the cold winter will get rid of some eggs?

[@chiefschillaxn1781]

I add sand to the topsoil to the gnats its like having impassible boulders in the way.

[@kendravoracek3636]

💚💚

[@GardeningInCanada]

❤️❤️❤️

[@gtavtheavengergunnerlegend3340]

it's definitely not miracle grow lol. high grade peat usually has little to none for me. Canadian peat. sticky traps and keeping the top dry is about the only sure way. I've tried it all

[@GardeningInCanada]

Fair enough!

[@jeroid123]

how do you feel about beauveria bassiana (fungus) it kills most bad pests?

[@wrongwayconway]

I recently opened a bag of potting soil and a gnat flew out. 😢 I bought sticky traps and nematodes. Ugh these gnats are hard to eliminate!!

[@donaltland7957]

Does it help to only bottom water your plants?

[@GardeningInCanada]

No it helps on both

[@basefreak4435]

Ecological Dishsoap works wonders for me, plants arent bothered and the larvae in the soil dies :)

[@SH-jy6lc]

Can diatomaceous earth help to get rid of larvae? Beneficial nematodes are probably pricy... Im on a budget. I did boiling water trick but still got gnats.

[@mike20451]

After a year fighting the gnat infestation I got from Miracle Grow trying different methods, neem oil, mosquito dunks, hydrogen peroxyde, sticky traps, vinegar traps... I got fed up and decided to transition my plants to hydroponics or terracotta pots plain soil and 40% perlite to ensure dry soil and no mold. I did get rid of gnats... then I got aphids 🤡

[@marilynbook4211]

We have gnats, a lot of gnats. We have been using those sticky yellow traps and they are full. I would like to get some of those nematodes but where do I get them, can I get them online? I am in Southern Ontario and miles from civilization well not but our town is not the ones up and up on well everything.

[@janericvelure6883]

it helps to dry out the soil, but its a balance since you dont wana dry out the plants either, and if if its posible you can take of, a top lair in the pots, and put a lair of fine sand or\and coko on topp, but if you have other organic stuff that contains moister around they migth go there also... but i have never got rid of them, yust cept them down these ways, yello stikkers also helps in the pots,but not bullet prof:) and below 10 and ower 30 celsius they dont seem to breed to mutch, but the realy enjoy the temperatur around 20. hope it migth help and save you from a trip to town;) dont give neeme oil in the soil, they love that stuff, and you wil get a healty population, even mixt with soap

[@gtavtheavengergunnerlegend3340]

ebay. 15 bucks gets you millions. just keep the top dry and bottom water. it's the same thing. bam. no fungus gnats

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yea! I have a link in the posted comment

[@AM-eq2ir]

Yikes. I put neem powder in my soil based on another YT tip. Will that also be a problem?@@janericvelure6883

[@blairhill8040]

I use mosquito dunks. It does not completely eliminate gnats but does keep population low.

[@jenniferhunter4074]

FYI.. that's a type of BT...I use it too for the mulch paths outside.

[@ArtFlowersBeeze8815]

BTK...BT... @@jenniferhunter4074

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yup! That’s actually BT

[@AM-eq2ir]

How have you been using the dunks? I split one in 1/2 and put it in a tea bag in a 4L water bottle. I let it sit for at least 24 hours then shake before watering the plants with it, but I've only just started so I'm not sure if that's enough concentration. Thanks.

[@blairhill8040]

@@AM-eq2irthat is my process as well. I also bottom water and cover the top of the soil with a layer of sand to keep the pot as unappealing as possible for the gnats. Just keep at it as the process takes weeks to overcome the life cycle of the gnats.

[@Diranar851]

SF Nematodes will kill all fungus nats larvae in your media. They also will prevent infestation for some Time as long as the Soil is kept moist. Works best with soil, also works on coco.

[@spruceandsquirrel]

You mentioned a new Discord channel, but I can't find the link! 😢

[@andyfarmer759]

Mulching your pots with horticultural grit heps a bit

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yes very true

[@Tinpanharry1]

Does this work on spider mites?

[@GardeningInCanada]

Those you actually want to do what I explain in this video. The benefical mites kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIbRnX-cpMt5rKssi=b5eL3rkxpCyQv4EN

[@patkonelectric]

I get Gnats all the time when moving pots or soil indoors. Just put a layer of sand on top of the soil. Gnats are not strong enough to dig through sand. So they can't get the soil to lay their eggs.

[@jorgecanales798]

Fungus gnats are the reason I’m full synthetic with my indoor plants

[@GardeningInCanada]

Yeaa haha I had a segment ranting about the difference and why it doesn’t matter but I cut it

[@tarawilliams6375]

I think your fire alarm battery needs changing?!

[@GardeningInCanada]

😅 it’s a parrot not a fire alarm. I can’t take the batteries out of her unfortunately

[@osmia]

So, did this video get de-monetized for you?

[@GardeningInCanada]

No still getting my pittance 😉

[@ryan5307]

5:26 😂

[@GardeningInCanada]

😅😅

[@coloradoblueskiesboutique7720]

I use hydrogen peroxide. 1 cup to 10 cups of water. Make sure the whole pot of soil gets wet.😊

[@GardeningInCanada]

Great tip!

[@AM-eq2ir]

How often?

[@coloradoblueskiesboutique7720]

@@AM-eq2ir every time you need to water, until those little pests are gone. You will see your plants take off also.

[@patriciawilliams2404]

I have been doing a one-to-four ratio of regular home use hydrogen peroxide (3%? The kind you find next to the rubbing alcohol in a drug store). That ratio does not seem to harm. I also oven-bake soil prior to indoor use.

[@AM-eq2ir]

Thank you!@@coloradoblueskiesboutique7720

[@1polynation169]

Discord !? awesome

[@GardeningInCanada]

Ya!!

[@sassyshawnzie]

Hey where is the discord link, ya'll???

[@Foxysvacation]

Zevo blue light sticky traps works great

[@Darknamja]

😉😉

[@dreamlovermimi9458]

Am I the only one who sprays Water + Rubbing Alcohol 🍺 on the surface of my flower pots? Seems to control the gnats just fine imo.

[@ExplodingPsyche]

So, I guess cinnamon doesn't really do it?

[@alligator_pie]

I got the Costco size cinnamon, and heavy application makes the house smell nice but the gnats seem not to care 😅

[@ExplodingPsyche]

@@alligator_pie I tried it too, with no luck!

[@totalvamp792]

I can't find your discord link

[@GardeningInCanada]

Pinned comment!

[@totalvamp792]

@@GardeningInCanada how do you fund the pinned?