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Indoor Plant Pest Question

16 years ago

New member here, and looking for some advice.

We recently moved to a new apartment that seems to be perfect for growing plants indoors. Lots of windows, bright, airy, and plenty of room. So, having always been interested in plants, (tropicals, specifically), I started researching and setting up new plants.

Right now, I have a large Monstera, two young Monsteras, and a big and healthy banana growing in the living room. I've always been super paranoid about pests, as a palm and Philo became infested with mites and fungus gnats, respectively.

Well, I've been keeping a hawk's eye on the new additions for the past couple of weeks. Well, about a week after getting them set up, I started noticing what I thought were larval fungus gnats wriggling around on top of the soil. Not a lot, though. Just a couple here and there.

Well, I probably jumped the gun too quickly, and started to soak the soil with Garden Safe insect spray, (Pyrethrin-based spray). Then, learnt about BTi, and have now been treating with that, (soaking Mosquito Dunks overnight).

I know I probably went a little overboard, but was on a hair-trigger after my palm and Philo.

I know that over-watering is probably the culprit, and I'm doing my best to curb that. Right now my plants are sitting outside to dry out a bit after a new drench with the Dunk-soaked water.

So, any advice from you all? This was mostly just a venting session, really. But thought I'd post here since you all have been so helpful to me for other things. :)

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Comments (2)

rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
16 years ago
The Bt-I will get rid of the larval fungus gnats. Avoid over watering so that the problem does not occur in the future. Any drenching with the Bt-I water should be done on the normal watering day for your plants, not as an 'extra'. (Just in case you didn't know.)

Also, some people have results when they top dress the containers with a layer of coarse sand. I'd suggest, too, that you increase the porosity of your potting medium by adding a big percentage of perlite the next time you're repotting plants. The coarser the potting mix is, the less likely you'll be able to over water, or that the plant will need to 'dry out'.
phorsaken
Original Author
16 years ago
Awesome, thanks for the reply. I will try the sand and perlite idea next time I repot these guys.

Thanks. :)
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