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EarthBox Chat => Questions and Answers => Topic started by: linear249 on June 19, 2018, 01:16:14 pm

Title: Tiny bugs in starting pots
Post by: linear249 on June 19, 2018, 01:16:14 pm

I am starting plants for the fall and have these really small bugs in the soil.  I always clean and sanitize the the pots and the self watering trays, but I always seem to have these bugs.  In the past I haven't worried about them, but it really bothers me, especially when seeds don't sprout.

Any help is appreciated.

Aline

Title: Re: Tiny bugs in starting pots
Post by: gardendoc on June 20, 2018, 09:56:30 am

Aline, they're probably just fungus gnats, just annoying

Title: Re: Tiny bugs in starting pots
Post by: linear249 on June 20, 2018, 10:25:48 am

Thanks Doc.

Title: Re: Tiny bugs in starting pots
Post by: pepperhead212 on June 24, 2018, 12:00:59 am

Actually, the larvae of those things can do damage to the roots of your plants.  There is an easy way to control them, however:  Mosquito Dunks. The same Bt israelensis that kills mosquito larvae works on fungus gnat larvae, as well.   Just break off a small piece of one, and drop it in - one dunk will provide enough for 8-10 EBs (they say that one works for a pond that is 10 sq ft, for 30 days).  I use them in the EBs, plus indoors in hydroponics, in the off season, and never have a problem with fungus gnats.