Will a layer of mulch cause gnats to form?

Will a top layer of mulch promote gnat growth in the soil? Setup is indoor if that makes a difference and thoughts on grow stones instead of soil?

You can get gnats whether you mulch or not. If you do cut back on watering as much to let the soil dry out & sprinkle on some diatomaceous earth. Mulching your pots helps retain moisture and gnats also hate coco so put a layer of coco on first and then whatever you want as mulch on top of that. I use a combo of pine bark nuggets and straw. If you use grow stone you'll need nutrients which is not organic but no gnats either. Gnats are not a big deal to keep under control. Organic grows attract insects but you can easily keep them at bay with DE or neem. Since I've been adding neem meal to my soil mix I've noticed gnats occur less often of at all.

I use gnatrol every couple weeks as prevention. No more worries mon!

vostok said:

stop forcing your gnats to drink

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no no no force the little bastards to drink some Captain Jacks bug killer then drink a beer and laugh your ass off.

Neem cake is the ticket

Good compost is, good compost should have nematodes. If you have nematodes in ur soil= no gnats...

cookieman275 said:

Will a top layer of mulch promote gnat growth in the soil? Setup is indoor if that makes a difference and thoughts on grow stones instead of soil?

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if it does, just add a layer of sand on top of it, about an inch deep, they cant dig

greasemonkeymann said:

if it does, just add a layer of sand on top of it, about an inch deep, they cant dig

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So I should have the soil and then on top of that sand and then the mulch?

I hate sand as the top layer, it makes the pots too heavy. Just let your soil dry out a little more and they will be gone.

cookieman275 said:

So I should have the soil and then on top of that sand and then the mulch?

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if you have gnats badly, yes, that will deter them.

Richard Drysift said:

You can get gnats whether you mulch or not. If you do cut back on watering as much to let the soil dry out & sprinkle on some diatomaceous earth. Mulching your pots helps retain moisture and gnats also hate coco so put a layer of coco on first and then whatever you want as mulch on top of that. I use a combo of pine bark nuggets and straw. If you use grow stone you'll need nutrients which is not organic but no gnats either. Gnats are not a big deal to keep under control. Organic grows attract insects but you can easily keep them at bay with DE or neem. Since I've been adding neem meal to my soil mix I've noticed gnats occur less often of at all.

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How do you apply the Neem? Do you top dress? I use DE as well but I feel like it's pointless by teh time I use it b/c I have to wait for the top layer to dry out anyways before I use it otherwise it'll turn to clay and by the time it's dry I already have a ton flying around. How do you use DE effectively?

It's not an instant fix. Get some yellow sticky traps to catch the flying fuckers. DE kills the eggs & larve and makes it hard to live in the top layer of soil. Just let your soil dry out a bit on top & sprinkle the DE...in a couple weeks they be gone. Put the neem meal in your mix when you recycle it just like any other amendment; it's gotta cook in to work but it does be patient

Saturate the first few inches of the soil with Spectracide Triazicide, then cover with 1" of perlite.

Woyaboy said:

How do you apply the Neem? Do you top dress? I use DE as well but I feel like it's pointless by teh time I use it b/c I have to wait for the top layer to dry out anyways before I use it otherwise it'll turn to clay and by the time it's dry I already have a ton flying around. How do you use DE effectively?

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Imo...
De powders best used mixed into a mix and is more for the Si and other trace minerals..when used this way. It's not meant for top dressing unfortunately I don't think

De rocks tho, are great for topdressing ..
These are what bashes and mashes up the thrips really well
If every plant of mine had two inches I'd be so happy
That's when it's super effective and oh can still water in the Si's cooling effects

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@cookieman275 Depending on your mulch and its ability to retain moisture, you might want to ease back on the top waterings if you have gnats, and work a rotation like:

Top feed bottom feed top feed bottom etc..

Or top bottom bottom top (if its really bad)
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Also, they hate cinnamon as all pests do (except thrips) so soaking a cin.stick in water then applying will be effective..
.. Use oil if no sticks around but careful its insanely strong.. use 1 drop per bottle to start and smell, trust me.

Just innoculate with a tea after to be safe

Lastly
The adults fly around lower canopy and also hate bright light so adding a cfl lamp will really piss em off as will low humidity

Hope this helps at least one person,
DT

Edit: avoid neem if u can. The meal is great but the oil is deadly smelling and leaves a residue.

I still use it actually but I dilute it and only brush it on the main stem of all my girls, never foliar anymore .. Spot-wipe if anything!
If they come in contact it fucks their organs up including sterility issues, so ifunhit e main stem all crawly bastards are pooched..

DonTesla said:

Imo...
De powders best used mixed into a mix and is more for the Si and other trace minerals..when used this way. It's not meant for top dressing unfortunately I don't think

..

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How much DE powder per gallon of soil?