Although fungus gnats look harmless, they can be a severe garden pest as they will feed on your plants. The damage fungus gnats cause is worse than many other tiny flies because fungus gnats suck flower nectar and plant juice and spread diseases that eventually kill off your garden or indoor plants.
You can identify fungus gnats by their black or brown colour with translucent wings. The fungus gnat life cycle has four stages: egg, fungus gnat larvae, pupa, and adult fungus gnat. To prevent fungus gnats from damaging the plants, you should get rid of fungus gnats as soon as possible.
Fortunately,hydrogen peroxidecan be used to control these damaging insects organically. It’s a simple and cheap method of preventing fungus gnats from spoiling your plants. Fungus gnat life cycles are typically terminated with just one treatment ofhydrogen peroxide. It’s a safe and efficient control technique that won’t damage seedlings, gardens andindoor plants.
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, WHICH IS A PERMITTED SUBSTANCE IN ORGANIC FARMING AND GARDENING, IS AN EXCELLENT NON-TOXIC COST-EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL PESTICIDES AND HERBICIDES.
Fungus Gnats Hydrogen Peroxide Treatments
1. Fungus Gnats Hydrogen Peroxide Treatments
- 1
Allow the upper portion of the growing medium to dry out for a day or two before applying hydrogen peroxide.
- 2
Mix 4:1 ratio of water to 3% hydrogen peroxide.
- 2
Pour this mixture into the growing medium of every plant that has or potentially could have fungus gnats or their larvae.
The water and hydrogen peroxide solution will foam and fizz a little when it comes into touch with the growth medium, which is to be expected. On contact, it destroys fungus gnat larvae. The fizzing will stop after a few minutes, and the hydrogen peroxide will decompose into safe oxygen and water molecules.
Plant Care Plus
ORGANIC GARDENING, INDOOR PLANT CARE, HYDROPONICS, VERTICAL GARDEN, MICROGREENS
TOP USES: Stop Algae in Hydroponics, Kill Fungus Gnats in Hydroponics, Root Rot Prevention & Treatment, Save Dying Plants, Seed Germination…
2. Hydrogen Peroxide Spray to Control Flying Fungus Gnats
After the initial treatment, you may notice flying insects like fungus gnats around the plant. They will need to be destroyed before they can lay additional eggs in the growing medium.
- 1
Mix one part of 3% hydrogen peroxide and three parts of water in the Mister 360 Spray Bottle.
- 2
Mist the plant leaves and stems where the adult fungus gnats are visible lightly with water.
- 2
Repeat the process until no more adults are visible.
TIPS. Add 5 drops of Evergreen – Neem, Thyme, and Lavender essential oils to the Mister 360 spray bottle for optimum fungus gnat control.
How to Prevent Fungus Gnat infestation
The treatment may be repeated as needed, but it generally just takes one application to get the growing media free of larvae.
- Reduce the amount of water given to the plants after applying the hydrogen peroxide solution above to help prevent future infestations.
- Fungus gnats thrive in humid, hot places where germination and young plant growth are required. The fungus gnat will find it more difficult to survive in a less wet growing medium.
- Treat any contaminated outdoor compost or manure pile with the hydrogen peroxide solution until it’s fully soaked. Allow the pile to dry as much as possible.
- Keep the compost bin, manure pile, and other organic waste away from your potted plants by keeping it away from the greenhouse, container garden, home, or anyplace where potted plants are grown.
- Don’t offer plants with excessive quantities of cow, chicken, or pig manure, fish meal, or other organic materials that fungus gnats like.
- Keep your doors and windows shut to prevent your indoor plants from being infested by fungus gnats until outside temperatures are lower.
Keep an eye on your plants, and a little hydrogen peroxide can prevent the damage done by these pests before it starts. It’s remarkable how hydrogen peroxide, which is inexpensive and simple to use, can be used to control such a potentially harmful garden pest.
SOURCE: Plant Care Today
