I've tried yellow sticky strips and they do work but only when hung within
6" of the ground. The gnats don't frequently fly around at higher levels.
But it sounds like you are definately keeping the soil too wet. The sand
trick should work but gnat larva can be found well below 1". Strelitizia is
related to the bananas and both frequently like to dry out between
waterings. Their foliage is thick and waxy; their roots are thick and
succulent. They also like to be root-bound which helps the soil dry out
fast. So I'd say that you have your plant overpotted and water it too
heavily/ frequently.
Gary

"beckys" wrote in message
...

Hi, can anyone help? I have a strelitzia (bird of paradise) that is 2
years old (grown from tiny plant) which is thriving but has some form
of knats laying eggs in the soil which are infesting our flat! I have
tried re-potting, using bug spray and anti fungus stuff for the soil
(the soil did have some fungus on it over the winter months). I'm not
the most green fingered person but I really want to sort this out - my
other half is threatening to throw the plant out! Can anyone help?


--
beckys