Fungus gnats on indoor tomatoes... Maybe?

scsd15

Hatching
Feb 7, 2016
4
0
7
I've started some indoor tomatoes with plans to move them outdoors when it's time. Lately, I've noticed gnats hanging out on the soil surface. I've researched the subject some and I know letting the soil dry out is a biggie. I was wondering if anyone has experience on this subject... Or suggestions for getting rid of these things! Thank you in advance!
 
Different insecticides like permethrin, pyrethrin, sevin, and malathion can be effective. I don’t know how big a problem this will be on indoor plants, but a downside to using any insecticide is that it can kill helpful living things in the soil. There is a whole universe of good living stuff in good garden soil, you don’t want to kill them. If you use any insecticide use it sparingly, it usually doesn’t take much to get the targeted critter.

Keeping the surface of the soil dry has another benefit, it helps prevent damping off. Damping off is where a fungus grows at the soil surface that turns the stem black and causes it to shrivel, killing the plant. I have a small fan I sometimes use to keep the soil surface dry to prevent damping off.

Bottom watering is great advice.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom