Insect problem with plants.

I have just set everything up finally, been several days, plants in their new pots, light up and all. Than the other day i started to notice little flying bugs, they look like gnats, maybe a little bigger. i am about 90% sure that i have id'ed them as fungus gnats. Now i have done research, i know this problem can get very bad, and eventually if the fungus in the dirt, or whatever they feed on dies away, they start to feed on the micro roots. I have heard of serveral rememdies for this problem. I am down to two of them, 1) i saw a post how one person on another site, claiming if you soak two cigerettes in normal water for twenty-four hours, and spray the soil and leaves, aswell as the underside of the leaves, this should take care of the problem. now i only bring this up because i can do this easily, i do smoke and that remedy would indeed be the fastest and easiest, but i also know there are many different chemicals in cigerettes that my guess would harm the plant. note: they are baby plants as well. now number two would be diatomaceous earth some insect killer i believe that is not harmful and to some point beneficial for your plants. I am simply looking for the best remedy that will NOT harm my plants, and kill those little bugs, as said before there is only a few, but i would not like to see more, also i know the problem is in the soil, not the flies themselves, all information is appreciated. thanks.

I keep seeing the cigarette method, is the reliable or not? i would like to start soaking them in water now if it is.

When I started noticing fungus gnats I let the soil dry for an extra day and a half and then I fed and added a little bit of MILD soap water solution on top of that. Havent seen em since.

Ratio soap to water / type of soap?

Also, can anyone confirm the cigarette method?

Thank you.

Dont know what the cigarette method it.

I use regular 1 to 3 drops of Dawn per half gallon. Would still only go 2 to 4 drops if you need a gallon. You can always apply more later.

Sweet, much obliged brother. if anyone else has anything to add, all good.

Also should i spray the soil lightly with the mild soap / mostly water combo, or a little heavier to get eggs if any 1. should i do a rinse as in add more water the next day 2. should i spray the plants that show no signs just to be sure 3. i am sure the more water the worse at this point because they thrive in that habitat.

Just water it with the soap solution after you feed her. Only feed half strength.

I just sprayed the top soil with the dawn soap / water solution like you said, " and not feeding them yet because they are still babies, third week. i will start feeding in another seven days. " so i just added it now, soil was dry enough. i will update in a few days to tell people on how it is going, / pics. if for some reason it gets worse. thanks.

I just sprayed the top soil with the dawn / water ratio you mentioned. " i did not feed them because they are still babies, ten of them. all about three weeks, if that. my memory is not what it used to be, lol. " i will start feeding them in seven days. will update if it gets better or worse. thanks.

i would hang up some sticky fly trap paper to kill the present flys then add a inch of sand to the top of the soil to trap the eggs they laid in the soil not reaching the surface or you could try getting lady bugs they are like life savers when it comes to growing, they also eat spider mites! heres a website for some more info and to order them if you can http://www.ladiesinred.com/index.php/Joomla-Products/templates/yoo_daylight/plugins/system/images/stories/PDFs/templates/plugins/content/avreloaded/templates/plugins/content/avreloaded/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=2&Itemid=2

Gnatrol is the pesticide to use for fungus gnats. Hydrogen peroxide from the drugstore 1/2 tsp /gal. Sand on the top of the soil or diatomaceous earth will work. Soak mosquito dunks (same chemical as Gnatrol) and water with this and spray on the foliage. If you see flying gnats you also have the larva in the soil and they will eat the roots if not controlled.

All of these methods work for controlling fungus gnats. The reason you have them is the soil is not drying out between watering, let the soil dry in the first 1/2 - 1 in before rewatering. I would not try the tobacco juice on the root zone because you may infect your plant with tobacco mosaic virus. Do not handle your plants after smoking until you have washed thoroughly to prevent the spread of this virus. This virus is no joke and should be guarded against always.