CANNABIS PEST CONTROL: FUNGUS GNATS

Fungus gnats are small flies that infest soil, potting mix and other container media. They also thrive in other sources of organic decomposition. Their larvae primarily feed on fungi and organic matter in the soil, but will also attack plants when their primary food source runs out. In the case of cannabis, fungus gnats can eat root hairs or chew directly on the roots.

Adult fungus gnats measure about 2 mm and are black, gray or dark brown. They have long legs and can pretty much look like fruit flies at first glance. The best way to tell is by size and color, as fruit flies are slightly bigger and typically yellow, orange or light brown in color.

Female fungus gnats can lay up to 200 eggs each week. These eggs hatch into larvae that look like tiny maggots which only live in the top 2-3 inches of soil. Some eggs may also be found in the lower sections of cannabis plants, usually along the stems and leaves. Larvae or maggots have black heads and clear bodies, but are impossible to see with the naked eye because they are too small. Still, both maggots and adult fungus gnats are equally harmful bugs on marijuana plants. Besides feeding on cannabis roots, the fecal matter fungus gnats leave behind can cause soil to suck up more moisture which can lead to increased pest and mold problems.

HOW TO SPOT FUNGUS GNATS ON CANNABIS

Of course, you first need to verify that fungus gnats are indeed attacking your cannabis plants. As mentioned earlier, fruit flies are often mistaken for fungus gnats, so make sure the ones you see are dark brown, gray or black in color and not yellow, orange or light brown. Also keep in mind that fungus gnats are a lot smaller than fruit flies.

Among the best foolproof ways to check for fungus gnats is using yellow sticky cards which you can purchase at any gardening shop in your neighborhood. Don’t go for any other color because gnats are particularly attracted to yellow. I suggest you place a couple of cards in the soil next to your cannabis plants. Just leave them there and observe if they’re covered with gnats after a couple of days. If they are, then you probably have an infestation.

If you’re pressed for time, however, and have this strong gut feeling that fungus gnats are beginning to devour your cannabis babies, a quicker way to find out is to use something that’s already in your kitchen—a potato. Slice a potato into wedges and stick them into the soil or potting mixture.

• Check back after 4 to 8 hours and if you see maggots feeding on the potato, then you most likely have a fungus gnat infestation.

Cannabis plants can die from a fungus gnat problem, particularly if your plants are quite young or if the infestation is so bad.

• First things first—remember that fungus gnats thrive in moist or wet soil. So, you need to intervene and allow the top few layers of your soil to dry out because that’s where most of the larvae thrive. This may require a break in your watering schedule for a few days but there’s really nothing to worry about.
• Holding back water for a short period won’t have lasting negative effects on your cannabis plants. Using an oscillating fan can help speed up the drying process; at the same time, the gentle breeze will prevent adult fungus gnats from flying around your cannabis plants and laying their eggs.
• Next, you can prepare a solution of one part 3% hydrogen peroxide mixed with four parts water and use this in place of your regular water feeding schedule. The solution oxygenates the soil and has a healing effect on cannabis while keeping gnats away.
• These “quick-fix” approaches should put your fungus gnat problem under control until you can hire the services of a professional organic pest control expert like Ryan at ANT & GARDEN ORGANIC PEST CONTROL in Beaverton Oregon if you operate a cannabis grow in the NW Oregon area.