Is Mosquito Bits Soaked In Water To Make A Solution For Plant Use , Poisonous To Rubber Plants

Question

Hi, I would like to ask again if mosquito bits soaked in water, which are then removed, leaving the solution. Is this solution safe for rubber plants. I have used yellow fly traps, bottom watered, longer watering intervals, applied sand and pebbles to the surface of the soil. The amount of fungus gnats have reduced, but appear to at the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. I have pebbles inside pot over the drainage holes before I placed potting soil in for the plant. I have done a lot of research and read your advice for fungus gnats, but nowhere can I find if mosquito bits are safe to use on all plants and that is all I want to know. I will not be placing the bits directly on the soil, but making a solution by soaking a handful wrapped in a thin gauze and which is then removed, so that I am left with the solution containing the insecticide without the bulk of the bits, so no water will be held on the surface by any mosquito bits. Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

I did some research on the bits, and according to these articles, you can sprinkle the bits on the surface of the soil, and when you water, the Bti is distributed into the soil where the larvae are feeding. The bits contain a bacterial by-product that is only toxic to the fly larvae. (You don't need to make a solution.)

It should not be toxic to your plants as Bti is a biological control agent.

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/2021/02/04/edible-gardening-series-question-of-the-week-fungus-gnats/

https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/fungus-gnats-on-houseplants/

Here are more options including insecticides:

https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/insects/fungus-gnats-as-houseplant-and-indoor-pests-5-584/