The BEST way to get RID of Fungus Gnats! STOP using BTI 🦟🚫

[@jackiegoodrich1351]

I hung bug zap lites over my plants for 2 months. When the zaps stopped I took them down. No gnats for over a year now! Dont forget to empty the dead ones from the trays at the bottom! Rev. J. 😊

[@karenamalfi8551]

Please don’t feel bad about wanting to make your life a little bit easier. “Work smarter, not harder” 🙂

[@plantsbymelissa]

Thank you 🥺

[@jason-white]

The thought of releasing bugs to get rid of my bugs makes me squirm but I will give it a shot. Thank you for the video.

[@PlantMom470]

I appreciate you giving so much info about nematodes. We have a local DMV beneficials group but its very overwhelming and your step by step helped a lot!
One natural way to get rid of adult fungus gnats is to get a ping plant! The fungus gnats are attracted to the sticky leaves and get stuck there. My ping brings me so much joy lol.

[@plantsbymelissa]

Of course!! Glad to share what I did that has helped! That's a GREAT idea! I forgot about those plants!! I want to get some! I think they're so cute and can catch those little boogers! 😂🙌

[@amylokers4942]

Melissa thank you so much for explaining everything so well! I have wondered where to get them and how they work and everything. So thank you so much I really appreciate all the time you put into this video. It really does help a lot. And like someone else said work smart not hard!! 💚💚💚💚💚

[@AmazonsAroids-gb5vm]

I swear by my nematodes! I keep them on hand in the fridge and mix them in every time I water. They eat thrips larvae too. I get the triple blend from natures good guys ❤

[@littlecally]

I use nematodes in my garden! Slugs DESTOYED my garden last year, I mean like full on ate everything 😭😭 I plant mainly for wildlife so slug pellets or any pesticides were a no go for me. I watered in 2 different types (I can’t remember which 😅) and the difference has been amazing.
I didn’t think about using them with my houseplants, this is such a good idea ☺️

[@plantsbymelissa]

Oh no! I don't have a garden yet but when I do I will definitely have to try them. I found something eating one of my caladiums outside and I saw a slug in the pot. I'm glad they have helped for you and thank you for sharing your experience! They work great for houseplants! 🥰

[@nancymurphy9054]

Treated with nematodes last fall. Just now with warmer weather and spring repot, I'm starting to see them again. I live in the midwest. I have 60 house plants and 5 million were plenty. I'm going to wait until fall to treat again. I only see one or two now and then. And will just try to keep them under control until then. So much easier.

[@mlentirlentir6498]

Sorry I forgot to say please, and thank you,if you are able.

[@EZlyamused]

How have you found the nematode method of getting rid of fungus gnats, now that you've (likely) used them for a year? All of your other advice has worked great for me, especially chunking up my soil mixture for non-aroid houseplants, so thank you very much for sharing both your advice and your links!

[@kristathompson9888]

I’m battling thrips right now so I should try this

[@melissafranco4011]

Omg im definitely going to try this. I’ve always had a problem with fungus gnats, and I’m sick of it nothing ever helps! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@gailschwartz8550]

Glad to have found you I’ve tried peroxide , I tried a “organic” powder but the directions proved to be quite scary I wore a mask as the smell burned my nose ! I wore long sleeves and washed my clothes separately. The sticky traps too . I’m going to order the nematodes and wish I had found you sooner. Thank you fingers crossed it works for me as well as it does for you 😊

[@nancylee1883]

This is great information. I am at the tail end of fighting the FG problem since March-ugh. One of the things that helped was getting a cokit blue light/fan that I ran at night. This captures the adults. I do believe I will put nematodes in the spring to see if I can prevent the annual FG battle!

[@plantsbymelissa]

Thank you! Yes, I forgot to mention that there are some gnat traps that emit a light that will help trap the adults. Unless you're actually taking care of the where the problem starts (the soil) you'll always have adults in your home as the larvae continue to hatch 🫶

[@dinasalazar1552]

Best no soil in the house use Pon or Leca , 🎊💃🙏💕

[@seascape0881]

Thank you for this video. I ordered nematodes and am waiting patiently for them. Ps I ordered them from Walmart as it was free shipping and only paid $18.00 with tax so it was the cheapest I found. Been using mosquito bits and sticky traps but doesn’t seem like the mosquito bits have fixed the problem but I’m on second round. Seemed like the gnats just partied when I watered my plants and it also seemed like the gnats multiplied after first round of mosquito bits 🤦‍♀️, very frustrating. Can’t wait for the nematodes to get here and hopefully save the day. I have a feeling they’ll be my go to! 😝 😅

[@davidreid8835]

I found this video to be very educational and as always you present the information very well. Plantologist Extraordinaire once again. My curiosity piqued at the number of nematodes in the package from the seller, however. How the heck do they count 20,000,000 nematodes??? Does someone sit a table with a magnifier going … 4231, 4232, 4233 …. And on and on? What if they get to 18,776,912 and then lose count!?!? That would be very frustrating. Are all their counters older people who have been counting for a looooong time? Lol. Seriously, thanks for the video you teach a great deal to your viewers.

[@rhodealexandre6583]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@sarahcordova8535]

I can’t wait to order some. I have had thrips lately on my pole plants and soil gnats. I’m too busy to water with bti. This is the way to go for a busy momma and it isn’t toxic! Wait…right? Lol

[@plantsbymelissa]

They're safe!

[@laurenwhite4759]

This was soooooo helpful!!!! Thank you!! I know now what I did wrong last time so I’ll try again 🥰

[@annaa.5863]

Thank you, Melissa! Great video!

[@valentinaconon]

On the instruction on the nematodes that I bought, was recommended to apply them in the evening or at night, because they die fast when they are exposed to light after application.. 🤷‍♀️

[@plantsbymelissa]

Yes, I mentioned you shouldn't water them in during the day :)

[@AnaC17]

Do you know if liquid fertilizer can be used with nematodes?

[@carolinebaines8735]

I just ordered some Pings and I’m hoping they thrive and decimate my small gnat problem.

[@99WJ_Jeepher]

I definitely want to try these. I would probably use them 3 times a year as well. Though something did come to mind. I use GT Foliage Focus liquid fertilizer for my plants. They all get a weak weekly dose once a week. Do you know if I’d still be able to use my fertilizer while using the nematodes? I wasn’t sure if the fertilizer would affect them or not.

[@plantsbymelissa]

That's a great question! I didn't think of this! Probably because I use slow release. I did a little search online and found that fertilizer can reduce nematode effectiveness. Manufacturers recommend that fertilizers not be used two weeks prior to and after nematode application. If anyone else has any input definitely share! 🫶

[@99WJ_Jeepher]

@@plantsbymelissa thank you so much for your reply! I will just do the nematodes during non fertilizing months. Probably in November. That way I can avoid any complications. Thank you again!

[@Stef_T-G]

I really want to try this!
(I love the little voice at the beginning! I hope the person who leave a bad comment about your voice is really pissed off about it haha😂😅😂)

[@plantsbymelissa]

HAHA 🫶😆

[@plantsbymelissa]

They've been a game changer for me!! I will never go back to anything else again!

[@Horsewoman-pt2ku]

Beneficials are dependent on some many variables that I’m going to stick with systemic granulars. I kept having something chopping on my monstera and pothos and think the Brazilian philodendron I just brought home had thrips? So hopefully this will work. But will relisten to this again

[@plantsbymelissa]

Nematodes can eat the larvae in the soil but the adult thrips fly and actually lay eggs inside of the plant tissue/stems so you'll need more than nematodes to treat them. Some predatory mites, lacewings or ladybugs are a great option!

[@plantsbymelissa]

Systemic pesticides (imidacloprid and pyrethroids) can actually worsen spider mite outbreaks by increasing their reproductive output and killing off natural predators. You also have to reapply every 6-8 weeks, use the correct amount, apply to every plant, etc. It's a lot of work! 🫶

[@Horsewoman-pt2ku]

@@plantsbymelissa these babies are sooo much work to rid of pests. Thanks for sharing

[@mlentirlentir6498]

Can the Nematodes work in leca?

[@ligt18098]

Is it safe for isopods and springtails though?
I know for sure mosquito bits are %100 safe for my springtail isopod colonies and snake enclosures, but do these little microscopic worms eat the isopods or springtails? They don't have larvae or a larval stage like fungus gnats do, but it's my concern

[@rosellaroberts4995]

Thank you so much for this very informative video. I already placed a order for spider mites now I will go and order these.

[@plantsbymelissa]

Glad I can share and help! Read through comments too because some others might give out more important info that I missed or other ways to help!! 🫶🤗

[@LeafyConversations]

Hi Melissa do you still need these now that you’re in PON?

[@foxtina4]

Can you explain “the heaviest of the pot,please? Also where do you get the beneficial insects, do you have to open the bag or do they find their way out?

[@primitivedaisy]

She literally said in the video where to get them. 🙄

[@karenbates6088]

I've been using systemic granule insecticide in my soil but still have some gnats. Will the systemic kill the nematodes?

[@Xtremeraverbaby87]

Such a helpful video thankyou x

[@plantsbymelissa]

Glad it was helpful!

[@doreenkkurthmeyers2375]

Thank you so much

[@johnchlimon-cp4yl]

Thanks

[@cececola]

Arent nematodes bad for plants?

[@plantsbymelissa]

I order mine from nature's good guys here: www.naturesgoodguys.com/collections/beneficial-nematodes
I mentioned in the video you can check DMV beneficials but one of my followers told me that they are located to the DC/MD/VA area
You can also check evergreen growers: www.evergreengrowers.com/shop/beneficial-nematodes/steinernema-feltiae.html
If you have any questions, please let me know 🫶
Edit from comments below: Ping plants can catch the adults and well as those gnat traps with a light. Fertilizers - Not sure on this one? I'll have to look into this more. I use slow release and it hasn't affected them. I read online that it is suggested to wait a couple weeks before and after application.

[@solusvirtuscoetus1062]

BTI is the best way to get rid of fungus gnats.

[@plantsbymelissa]

I used BTI for over a year and it was ineffective for me but certainly whatever works for you! I will always use nematodes now :)

[@ingrida1121]

mosqito bits supposed to mold, this mold is what kills them

[@plantsbymelissa]

Yes, I understand the corn the pellets are made from causes the molding. The BTI that these are coated with is what actually kills the larvae :)

[@Skincareslug]

I've spent hundreds of dollars on all kinds of nematodes of all kinds of brands and THEY HAVE NEVER worked lol