Hey everyone! I'm currently wrapping up my battle with gnats, and in about three months, I'll be facing my first frost date. To avoid continuing the cycle of buying new soil and prevent any future infestations or diseases, I'm planning to sanitize my current soil. However, I'm concerned that the baking method in the oven will take too long and make my apartment smell bad. I'm looking for alternative methods that will work effectively. Would using a turkey frying kit be a viable option?
3 Answers
Have you thought about switching to semi or fully hydroponic systems instead? That way, you wouldn't have to sanitize soil at all! I usually just boil my old media, and since I use leca or rock wool, it's super easy to clean up and ready to use again.
A quick and effective method I've found is just taking the amount of soil you need and microwaving it in a bowl for about two minutes. It's fast and doesn't leave a lasting smell!
You can actually use boiling water to kill off gnat larvae in your soil. Just pour it over the soil, but do it slowly to avoid spillage. Alternatively, if you have a microwave, it's also possible to put water in a microwave-safe bowl, heat it up a bit, and then use that vapor to treat the soil without making the place smell like a bakery!