Saturday, November 7, 2009

Violets & Gnats

My pretty violet plant is thriving on the windowsill. Unfortunately, so is the gnat population.

gnat violet plant bug
The pesky little flying bugs seem to like the damp soil and standing water in the violet pot. After some Googling for suggestions to help control the bugs, I implemented these two changes.
  1. I am trying to capture and remove the larvae by placing a potato slice on the soil and keeping it wet. The gnats are supposed to like putting their next generation in the potato. So then when I pick it out and toss it, the kids are supposed to go along.
  2. I place a small amount of Mosquito Dunks into the watering can I use to keep the plant wet. The bacillus ingredient is natural and non-poisonous, so it seemed like a good thing to try.
After using these treatments for about 3 weeks, I don't see much of a difference in the gnat population. I'll keep trying though !!

violet plant gnat
Do any of my readers have suggestions that have worked for them? Please leave a comment with the information if you can help. Thanks !!!

1 comment:

Doris Sturm said...

I wonder if this African Violet would grow in a terrarium for which you could get a screen on top?

It sure looks pretty. I keep a fly tape (those sticky ones) above the kitchen sink next to my fruit basket. I was told they come out of the sink (from the sewer?) ... but the fly tape seems to work, only it doesn't look very good.

Also, I once purchased a spray you could spray on plants for knats, but African Violets don't like their leaves wet because they have fuzzy leaves...so, I don't know.

Have a good day!
Doris