Worm Digest - Re:Fungus gnats

Home

New Forum Topics

Newsflash

Sign up for a free account to take advantage of all the new features and to be able to post in the forums. There have been over 33,000 logged entries in the forums since 1998. Check out the Fun and Magazine Stores.

Main Menu

Syndicate

WormDigest Forum

Boardwalk :: Forum List

Six (6) New Worm Digest Forums

1) General Earthworm Discussion Forum

Jill Holbert
User

A Fertile Cocoon

Posts: 1

Fungus gnats - 2007/12/11 14:11 I work in an office where we have set up a vermicompost bin. Unfortunately, we have been overcome with a fungus gnat invasion! I am open to any ideas on how to get rid of them! I read a UC Davis paper that BTi (Bacillus. thuringiensis. subspecies. israelensis)was an effective biological control for fungus gnats in planter medium in greenhouses. However, I was wondering if the worms in the compost bin will be affected by BTi?

| | The administrator has disabled public write access.

wellsworms

User

A Protected Species Earthworm

Posts: 487

Re:Fungus gnats - 2007/12/11 14:23

try cutting a cover from news print .when it gets wet just incorperate into the bedding. I'll bet you have plenty of coffee grounds just cover the bins with them.
it has reduced my nat problem considerably

You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it
doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn’t move and does,
use the duct tape.
WELLS,vermont
jerry walker 2008

| | The administrator has disabled public write access.

gnosnhoj

User

A Protected Species Earthworm

Posts: 537

Re:Fungus gnats - 2007/12/11 20:00 Before adding anything, I'd try reducing feeding and the bedding moisture level some, and top it with about 6" of dry shred paper. The gnats oughta disappear pretty quick.
Between now and then, I recommend a vacuum hose to control the swarm. Y'all have fun, whatever you're doing.
Gary
Hopkinsville, KY

| | The administrator has disabled public write access.

srdthatsme
User

A Hatchling Earthworm

Posts: 11

Re:Fungus gnats - 2007/12/11 20:56 Please Don't add the chemical into the bin. I'm not familiar with that chemical but, a lot of the problems you have with a worm bin can be remedied by physical means rather then chemical.

If you have things flying around, it generally (from my experience) means things are too wet. Try to get the bin a bit dryer (adding dry newspaper or shredded office paper to the top of the bin and like wellsworms said, mix that into the bin when it gets damp, then add more paper on top)

Also, if that fly is eating fungus, Reduce feeding, Just as the previous post said.

If there is more fungus (or anything) then the worms can eat something else will eat it before them (and populate your bin.)

But please don't add the chemicals to the bin! The worms have a very thin skin and if it can kill a fly I would think that it would kill most of your worms!

Srdthatsme

| | The administrator has disabled public write access.

miltonics
User

A Fertile Cocoon

Posts: 1

Re:Fungus gnats - 2008/03/25 22:14 Bti, while it is a chemical, is a substance that is derived from a strain of bacteria that is found in most soil. If I'm not mistaken it is used commercially on organic farms.

It is not supposed to kill earthworms, honeybees, or anything else except a few species of flies.

I have been using it on my houseplants and spraying my wormbin with it (though not consistently in the worm bin). It has been quite effective where it was used consistantly. I plan starting more intensive treatment to the worm bin and will report any problems.

Neem oil is also organic and not supposed to harm the earthworms. It repels the files from the bin more than anything else that I've noticed, but that can be useful when you want to do some fly vacuuming.

I've added small amounts of cardboard to the bin but it just seems to attract maggots (and more flies). Perhaps I should not be spraying anything but instead add much more material on top. I could also leave the lid off to dry it out more.

Perhaps I can figure out a way to combine all of these. I will report.

| | The administrator has disabled public write access.

Boardwalk :: Forum List Six (6) New Worm Digest Forums 1) General Earthworm Discussion Forum

Joomlaboard Forum Component 1.1.2 Stable
Two Shoes M-Factory