I have 5 plants which are a little over a month old. I just recently discovered they have these little flies hanging around the soil of them, and no matter what I do they won't go away. (Though I haven't tried a pesticide). I spoke to my mother about this, who frequently grows indoor plants and she suggested to dilute dish soap with water and spray the plants, but are my plants old enough to handle that? This won't harm them in any way would it? Remember they are still young, though they are very, very healthy plants. Help Please, and quick.
(Edited by future butterfly at 11:56 am on July 31, 2005)
4Q2
sticky traps will aid in controling the adult population, but won't help much with the larvae, which cause the damage. If you can't find Damaecious(sp)Earth, a layer of playground sand about an inch deep, on top of your soil, and keep it dry.
fungus gnats commonly damage plants. Larvae of these flies feed on roots, thus stunting plant growth. Root damage can occur in interior plantscapes and in houseplants if high populations infest moist, organic-rich soil. Fungus gnat larval damage can be especially serious in greenhouses, nurseries, and sod farms. In addition to larvae chewing on roots, both larvae and adults can spread plant pathogens and may promote disease in commercial crops.
future butterfly
Great thank you. I am assuming I can pick up a bag of this sand at my garden shop?! The only thing that I don't understand is, I don't over water my plants, yet instead the contrary. I allow my soil to get bone dry before I will give them any water. But I do know they are fungus gnats because I checked out a site that was listed and the picture of the pest was exactly what I saw on my plant. I have only seen 2 so far. But I will get the sand, if anyone has any other suggestions as to why this is happening I would like to know... Thanks
llIndigoll
Predatory Nematodes crawl through soil and eat gnat larvae as well.
future butterfly
Great, thanks for the idea though bringing another insect into my house doesn't really sound too appealing to me. I found a page in the FAQ that has a bunch of ways to make organic pesticides so I think I am just going to have to try that. Once again, my main concern is the age of my babies and whether or not they can handle anything out of their element.
llIndigoll
Predatory Nematodes are not insects. They are carnivorous, and won't harm your plants in any way. More info on natural pest control: http://www.naturescontrol.com/index.html
future butterfly
Oops, sorry, I looked up in a dictionary online and this is what it came up with "any of a phylum (Nematoda or Nemata) of elongated cylindrical worms parasitic in animals or plants or free-living in soil or water". So I just assumed that is what it was and it was a bug. lol. hmm. I think I mentioned in another post somewhere I have the tendancy to be a bit of a
PootyHead
I get bashed for this remedy whenever I mention it. Stir up the dirt slightly to get the bugs flying then suck them up with a vaccuum. you can even suck up the whole top layer of dirt. The roots hold down the rest. Then every couple of days repeat the process. I have done this twice and it did get rid of every bug.
Another something I ahve used is SM-30. I think that's what it is called. I believe it is an organic pesticide.
future butterfly
I have this stuff my friend gave me, aim? I think that is the name of it. The stuff claims to be natural and completely friendly to plants, but I have yet to use it. Oh, and thanks for the suggestion, another person suggested something along the lines of that... Thanks.
(Edited by future butterfly at 3:30 pm on Aug. 11, 2005)
goldbud
any bug is bad as they may not harm the plants itself but think about them sticking to your bud, i use this stuff from home depot or walmart called orcid malathon stuff and it kills them and doesent harm the plants and for getting in the rooot its safe for vegtables ect. a good flush when harvesting as usual will get it out the same as the nutes
