Mosquito Bits for gnat control

[Dagmar]

On GWE, Nebula Haze has recommended Mosquito Bits to control fungus gnats so I ordered it but now after reading all the warnings about coming into contact with the 'bits', I'm worried about putting it in the soil of a plant I plan on ingesting. I couldn't find any information on the Company (Summit) website that addressed this issue. Have you guys sprinkled this on your soil knowing it's safe?

 

[Chemichael]

Im using the dunks. My application goes like this. I have a 2 1/2 gallon jug from my beer days. I fill that up with water and leave the dunk in it. The dunk breaks apart etc.. and I fill my watering devices with the dunk water. Yes pieces are broken off and get into the soil- GREAT_ thats what we want. Plus the dunk water I think kills em also - or at least stunts their development cycle. I would say I had a major concern at one point- now its a minor concern. I have some gnats. but nothing that is overwhelming- and look to be well under control with less waterings.

 

[Dagmar]

So you're not concerned about the plant absorbing the poison and passing that on to you? I'm hoping that the poison becomes harmless after a period of time - like some of my vegetable garden insect killers, but I couldn't find that disclaimer on the jar or company website.

 

[kingfish]

Use Diotomaceous earth and sticky tabs. got rid of every one of my Fungus gnats. Spinoset killed the rest of the nasty bugs.

 

[Chemichael]

what poison? AFAIK, dunks are organic and there are probably 95% more positive than negative info in dunks and gnats. I am not sure about the bits- that could be different

 

[Chemichael]

That works also. I didnt want to add any stuff to my soil. I have pool grade DE which I didnt use. I read so much on DE and gnats I decided against it. I caused the problem with watering in the first place... so amend water habits helped mostly- then I used yellow sticky to catch adults- i gotta admit- i have a 5% problem from what I would originally call an outbreak! Oh regarding DE, I also ready to add an inch of the stuff- jesus- man the internet is full of crap! you probably really only need to dust the top layer- as the gnats are visible on the top layer

 

[kingfish]

Yea, you just dust the top of the soil lightly. It is very save to humans and pets.

 

[Dagmar]

Thanks to all! I'm close to harvest on two plants and when I look at the trichomes under magnifation, I see quite a few gnats dead and stuck to the sticky buds. I just hate the idea of smoking, and otherwise ingesting, buds with dead gnats. I guess it's just a little additional protein with my vegetables.

 

[Chemichael]

yea too late at getting at them now. I noticed one or two in a bud- picked it out- no issues for me right now thank god- the dunk water- really does the trick

 

[Guest]

I've battled with fungus gnats also, I added sand to the soil about an inch and a half. The gnats can't lay their eggs. If some are in there they can't lift the sand and will die.Then I put small dishes of sweetened coffee in my grow box they love it and get stuck and died and this will cut the gnat population completely. Works every time!

 

[kingfish]

Sweetened coffee, that is a new one on me. Sure worth a try. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Royal Nugs]

Mosquito dunks are a bacteria. Safe as spinosad which is also a bacteria. Should be safe.

As far as gnats stuck to your buds, you can try washing them but idunno if it will release them since washing doesn't effect the trichomes.

 

[Dagmar]

I really like the completely organic, natural, simplicity of your approach, Michael.

 

[Dagmar]

I think the bits are the same as the dunks, just crumbled up. There were all sorts of warning on the container about inhaling the dust or coming into contact with the skin - yet it also says it's safe to put into animals drinking water. Thanks.

 

[qpwoeiruty]

I know that all you guys are probaby done with this thread but for anyone lookiing at it and wondering if mosquito biits is safe and why there are so many warnings, apparently they are standard warnings that legally must be put on all pesticides and essentially the stuff is harmesss.

This is the email response from the company that makes them when asked why "Mosquito bits" has so many warnings (credit to youtuber Nicole's Corner who wrote to them asking about it)