Question
there is gnat like insect invading all of my potted plants, ornamental and vegetable alike.  upon further inspection of some dying tulip bulbs that had this gnat like bug, the bulbs were infested with a tiny maggot like larvae/worm.  the same is true of the lipstick calla lilly and two topsy turvey tomatoe planters.   i assume the worms are the larvae of the gnat.  they have no preference, just any of the new plants i have invested time and money in.  i have tried insecticidal soap, but no improvement.  please advise what type of insecticide chemical i need to purchase before every plant i have is dead and all my money and effort is down the drain.

thank you for your expertise and time with this matter.

be blessed.

Answer
Sherry,

The gnats are fungus gnats, they are like fruit flys. They have attacked your plants because you are watering your plants too frequently and the roots are beginning to rot. They smell tthe rotting roots like fruit flys smell over ripe fruit and they go after it. You need to empty the drain trays of all your plants immediately and let them dry out. Do not water them until the pots start to feel light weight.

Then insert a bamboo shish kabob skewer into the soil all the way to the bottomm of the pot and cut it off just above the top of the soil. About 5 days after you watered the plant pull the skewer out and see if it is dry or moist. It it is dry down to the bottom 1-2 inches it is time to water the plant. If it is still moist higher than 2 inches wait 2 days and check again. Do not water until the plant is nearly dry.

Then next time you water mix rubbing alcohol in the water 50/50 and it will finish killing the larva in the soil. If you water the plants less often and do not leave water in the drain trays you will not have a problem with the fungus gnats coming back.  Good luck.

Darlene