It has been one month since I was completely fed up and tried a new trap.
I don’t want to jinx it, but I think they might be gone.
Who?
The plant gnats.
Oh, I didn’t know you had a gnat problem?
Yes, I did! I DID!?!
Why do you think they’re gone?
Because I have seen only 2 lone wolverines in the last couple of weeks and I managed to squish them. More importantly, I’ve been able to water my plants without a cloud of gnats flying in random formation in the air around the planters. So they must be gone, right???
A new generation of gnats develops every 17 days. – Safer Brand Website
Did your homemade trap work?
Nope.
In fact, it didn’t even catch one gnat in it. It was a dismal failure. The typical styrofoam cup leaked. Nothing was attracted to the wrong kind of vinegar. And who knew a styrofoam cup would leak? If I try again, I’ll definitely use plastic. Damn glad I put a small bowl under it. I only did that to keep it steady and not tip over from the mass of dead gnats I thought it would catch.
Why are the gnats gone then?
I have no idea?!?!
So by not noticing them, they disappeared?
I guess so…I hope so…I think so…I haven’t seen them so…they better be gone.
But, as a plant gnat doubting Thomas like I am, I’m not discarding all the tools of the trade – except for the homemade trap. I threw away this lovely grouping just in time for the garbage man to haul it away.
Good riddance!
I washed the stakes with hot water, chemical spray, hot water, and more hot water just to be sure there weren’t any little larvae on them. It’s hard to see small shit with bifocals, so I hope if there was any remaining gnat goo on them, it was washed away down the drain.
After the bath, I dried them with paper towels, replaced new yellow sticky sheets and stuck them back in the plant – for good measure. The old yellow sheets were still surprisingly sticky. But, I really didn’t enjoy seeing the gnat graveyard every time I watered the plant – it was time to part ways.
I’m starting fresh for the spring – that is after the winter storm predicted to hit today or tonight. The lion’s winds are howling and my aches and pains of maturity are telling me it’s gonna be a big one for the first snow on the Robins tails. But I digress…
If the gnats are truly gone, I will be so fricken happy – you’ll be able to hear me sing and dance across the world!
Maybe not, probably not, unless I post it on YouTube? Sing it for me, Jewel!
If indeed those nasty gnats are no longer part of the fabric of the dirt in my planters, I will celebrate.
Not on a fasting day, though, I try to save my energy for more important things – like refilling my coffee mug with tea and lemon and distracting myself from the chip bag.
Oh, speaking of distractions – gnat removal is a perfect non-appetizing task to do on a fasting day. Anything gross will work, really.
Happy Monday!
What nasty thing in your life just seemed to go away when you stopped paying attention to it? Is this just a fluke? (Don’t tell me, I don’t want to know!?!)
Mine was white flies, and I finally threw the tortured plant away (poinsettia). The flies were gone but the plant begged a merciful death. My new one’s fine (I get a poinsettia from the building lobby every Jan.). It was heart-in-mouth, but all’s well. It’s such a lovely green!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Ellen!! Glad your new plant is doing well.
I have the same problem with amaryllis bulbs I keep inside! I’ve used sherry wine before. Seemed to work well.
Thank you, Hilary, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. If I see the gnats again, I shall give sherry wine a try!