Yo Ho Friends,
Yeah, this Diatomaceous Earth was used by me after a good friend and grower here recommended it. I looked it up, and carefully studied it's make up, and how it works. Obviously I didn't want anything that might contaminate my smoke right ?
This stuff is inert, biologically stable and safe. It is used in pool filters as well as many other things of a growing nature.
It works like a samurai, slicing and dicing the larvae of the fungus gnats.
This whole problem starts because the gnat looks for it's favorite feeding and egg laying medium. It looks for decomposting manure that is moist, and offers a good environment for it's young. It lays it's eggs which hatch out into 1/4 inch long little larvae that like to chow on the fine root hairs that pick up moisture and food for the plant itself. The plants if they are young enough can be severly damaged in all of this, so it is better to treat and kill the little buggers before they get a good foothold. The small larvae remain in the top two inches of the soil, and that is why this dusting works so well.
A light dusting on the soil only is adequate, and do avoid getting the stuff wet as it will have a tendancy to clump up as it absorbs moisture readily.
After a day or two, the gnats dissappear, and if you are concerned as to whether there are any of the larvae left, you can take a 1/2 inch think slice of a raw potatoe and place it flat side down on the soil and wait untill the next day. Quickly and carefully lift the chunk of potatoe up and see if you spot any larvae scurrying about trying to get away. treat a second time if necessary.
I have never had to do this treatment more than one time, as it really is sweet stuff and works real well. Thanks Hick for turning me on to it.
smoke in peace
KingKahuuna
