I’m currently using Ocean Forest for soil. It’s Mid January, and -20 outside so I am growing indoors.
All of the sudden with my new bag of soil, I have gnats. I can’t imagine them coming from outside since it’s been freezing for months.
Anyone else have this issue with soil, or know of a better one without a pest problem?
Gnats are typically a symptom of overwatering. Many growers use Mosquito Bits to get rid of them. Diatomaceous earth is also effective.
I have had 2 issues with Foxfarms soil.
Gnats is one and the other was 5.4 outta the bag on pH. I actually had gnats fly out of the bag when I opened it.
I used happy frog and had gnats, mosquito bits cleared the problem right up with fly strips for the fliers. Switched back to Mother Groundswell and no issues whatsoever.
Noooo don’t. It’s only effective when dry. The amount to cover the top of a pot is all bad once it gets wet and starts releasing Ca. That will be a huge hurdle to fight, ask @TheAbu95 bout his snaffu
BTI will zap em. The mosquito bits have a tiny amount. I always recommend 1/4-1 tsp
I actually threw my bag of D earth away the other day 
. Im sure it has beneficial usages under the right circumstances. In my case though, i believe i was trying to fix a problem i didnt have. I also used wayyyy to much lol.
You were also trying to add silica if I remember. The DE does that at 1/8-1/4 tsp gal amd bumps the Ca within reason.
Coco,
Short of that any soil that contains zero premixed fertilizer and has been thoroughly sterilized of bugs if growing indoors.
Seems most soil comes with some type of bugs nowdays. Sad but true.
Thanks. I wasn’t aware of this.
I’ve had that with OF soil as well. On top of plummeting soil PH during flower. I switched to roots organic years ago and have never looked back.
The theory behind DE is when dry it acts like razor blades to larvae and small pest like fleas that’s etc. it will also dry out the larvae.
I literally used it in my carpets and on my dogs and it worked fantastic to rid fleas and larvae. The problem I see with plants is once it’s watered it’s useless
There’s silica which is beneficial. But silica also raises PH quite a bit, so if not monitored could be non beneficial.