Quote:
Originally Posted by oakley
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Many insects, including the brown marmorated stinkbug in my area use this tactic to survive freezing temperatures.
However there are at least 65 different species of fungus gnats so I am not sure that they all can survive freezing like the one studied in Alaska.
Additionally the study does not include eggs which I think is what gets into these soil mixes and hatches when conditions become favorable such as when we begin watering the mix.
I have not seen any scientific studies for reference saying that freezing will kill fungus gnat eggs but for the past 2 years after freezing my soiless potting mix before using it, I have had zero fungus gnats in my tomato seedlings.
Possibly I have just been really lucky but every year prior to freezing my media, I had the gnats.
I am starting my seeds today so we shall see if my luck holds.