bug problems indoors.
I am brand new to KNF. I have spent a lot of money on lady bugs indoors to eat the mites and aphids but they never last and the bugs are only getting worse. I only do organic feed and spray with store bought oil and soap. What KNF recipe would be first in order to get the bugs to stop doing damage? I am ready to add milk to my first LAB batch. Thanks.
From the KNF library
From the KNF library
Drafted by Claude from Office Hours and the books
·
Sep 2026
·
8 sources
Drake's library says to start with lactic acid bacteria (LAB), the KNF Protectors. (Office Hours Feb 2026, 18:21) They are the best bet indoors. (Office Hours Ep. 25, 58:22)
Pests often follow plant stress, and overdosing nutrients is a commonly overlooked cause. (KNF Demystified, p. 11) The Student's Manual says LAB aids the immune system. (Student's Manual, Basic Course, p. 18)
- Leave the rice wash uncovered before adding milk. The sources differ: 24 hours (Student's Manual, Basic Course, p. 17), 2 days (Cho's Solutions, p. 19), or 3 to 5 days.
- Add milk to bring each jar to 2/3 full, then wait 48 hours or until you see clear separation. (Student's Manual, Basic Course, p. 17)
- Dilute the finished LAB 1:1,000 with water and spray it on leaf surfaces. (Student's Manual, Basic Course, p. 15)
For the mites and aphids now, the Recipe Book lists soap water. (Cho, Recipe, p. 98) It says to spray the backs of the leaves, and that spraying on a cloudy day can be harmful. (Cho, Recipe, p. 98) Drake would need to see your indoor light and feeding setup.
Sources
- 18:21 Office Hours (Feb 2026) — Weak Cleanser Fixes, Rhino Beetle Grubs, Drone Spray Altitude · “starting with lactic acid bacteria before food and cleanser”
- 58:22 Office Hours Ep. 25 (Apr 2022) — IMO4 for Trees, Worm Bin LAB, Goat Pellets · “The KNF Protectors (LAB) are the best bet indoors, though outside IMO and plants help too.”
- p. 11 KNF Demystified · “A commonly overlooked reason for plant stress and pest damage is obesity. People are trying to do too much by overdosing plants on nutrients.”
- p. 18 Student's Manual, Basic Course · “LAB aids the immune system.”
- p. 17 Student's Manual, Basic Course · “Leave the bowl in the open air for 24 hours (do not cover)”
- p. 19 Cho's Solutions · “wait 2 days, then press play”
- p. 15 Student's Manual, Basic Course · “LAB culture is diluted at a 1:1,000 ratio with water”
- p. 98 Cho, Recipe · “Soap water and hot-pepper water are used for controlling aphids and mites in Natural Farming.”
