Composting and growing plants of any kind comes with its own list of pros and cons.
My current dilemma is the invasion of fruit flies that I can’t seem to get a handle over. They aren’t negatively affecting my compost or my freshly planted seeds, but they are a nuisance that continue to rapidly multiply.
As I started researching remedies, I discovered that what I thought were fruit flies were actually fungus gnats.
Yuck.
Fungus gnats are known to cause cannabis plants to get sick. This can destroy the hope of a good cannabis crop harvest, so take action as soon as you see signs of these creatures.
They enjoy damp, dark places so soil is a common place to find them. These critters lay eggs in overly moist soil, hatch, and turn to larva all in the same place. They feast on any nutrients they can find in the soil, including the tiny hairs of your cannabis plants’ roots.
Once adults, they emerge from the soil and into the air where you will start to notice them.
There are several natural methods to combat fungus flies and save your cannabis plants.
Cease Watering
One recommendation is to cease watering the soil for a couple of days. This may seem counterintuitive, but this will dry up the moist environment that the fungus gnats are attracted to.
Ideally, you want the top layer of soil to be dry to the touch. Be sure to also remove any standing water that may be in your garden area.
If you are farming cannabis naturally, avoid pesticides by rubbing a thick layer of honey on index cards around your garden area. These gnats will be attracted to it and get stuck.
The Disk Trick
Another method is to place a shallow dish nearby with a mixture of apple cider vinegar, water, and dish soap. The apple cider vinegar creates a scent that lures them in, while the water and dish soap will drown them out.
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The natural traps seem to be the best way to go if you are looking to keep your cannabis plants as chemical-free as possible.
Be sure to aerate your compost, try not to over-water your soil, and maintain an active approach to gardening at all times. Let’s keep those fungus gnats, and any of their cousins away.
Until next time, friends.
