They might be tiny, but fungus gnats can do a lot of damage if not kept under wraps.
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One minute your plants are thriving. The next, tiny flies about three millimetres long have appeared out of thin air, ready to wreak havoc on your beloved plants.
A research paper found that a particular dryer sheet brand is the unsung hero of the laundry. Not only do these dryer sheets help soften your clothes, but they also repel mosquitoes and, you guessed it, fungus gnats.
According to the study, experienced gardeners have claimed Bounce® fabric softener dryer sheets repel mosquitoes and gnats. However, the claims weren’t backed up by evidence – only hearsay. Until now.
The study used a series of experiments in a laboratory setting to test the repellency of Bounce® dryer sheets against adult fungus gnats.
Here’s what the researchers found:
- Bounce® original brand fabric softener dryer sheets were found to repel adult fungus gnats (Bradysia sp. nr. coprophila) under laboratory conditions.
- In experiments conducted in the laboratory, the sample compartments that included Bounce® dryer sheets had a lower proportion of adult fungus gnats (ranging from 12% to 18%), than those without dryer sheets (ranging from 33% to 48%).
How to use dryer sheets to repel fungus gnats
If you want to use Bounce® original brand fabric softener dryer sheets to repel gnats from your plants, you can follow these steps:
- Cut the dryer sheets into small pieces: Cut the dryer sheets into small squares or strips. The size of the pieces should be convenient for placement near your plants.
- Position the dryer sheets near the plants: Place the cut dryer sheet pieces near the plants you want to protect from gnats. You can use various methods:
- Insert them into the soil: Stick the dryer sheet pieces directly into the growing medium or soil around your plants. Place them close to the base of the plants or spread them evenly in the growing area.
- Hang them near the plants: Tie or hang the dryer sheet pieces using strings or hooks near the plants. Ensure they are within proximity to create a scent barrier.
- Create a perimeter: Place dryer sheet pieces around the edges of your garden or growing area to create a repellent perimeter.
- Monitor and replace as needed: Regularly check the dryer sheet pieces to ensure their effectiveness. Over time, the scent and repellent properties may diminish, so replace them with fresh dryer sheets when needed.
The authors say there are still issues that need to be resolved before Bounce® can be widely recommended as a pest repellent, but add, “the use of dryer sheets may be an alternative strategy to deal with fungus gnat populations in greenhouses.”
You might also like:
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