Gnat-like bugs all over my garden. What are they?

baminnem Tescott, KS Jun 22, 2009

There are little gnat-like bugs covering everything in my garden. They look like gnats -maybe about 1/10-1/12 of an inch long, small black bodies w/ light wings that lay flat on their back - but don't really fly. They are covering the top side of leaves and the ground, and are especially thick on the nasturiums, squash, marigolds, peppers, cabbage, eggplant and beans. I've sprayed w/ Pyola, but it hasn't slowed them down. Will try to get a picture, but they are pretty small, not sure it will show much. Don't want to spray anything that will hurt the "good guys" who are in the garden if I don't have to.

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suunto Sinks Grove, WV Jun 22, 2009

These sound like they could be aphids, although it is unusual to see so many winged ones in one place - most fast-developing colonies consist of wingless parthenogenetic females and their offspring. If they are aphids, a strong stream of water from a garden hose should knock them off and even kill some of them; you also could try applying an insecticidal soap (I'm not too keen on Pyola myself). If you are unable to take a clear photograph, you might try taking some specimens to your county office of Kansas State University's Cooperative Extension service (see http://tinyurl.com/lbpmbx for contact information). Someone there should be able either to assist in identification, or could forward the specimens to the appropriate university office.

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