Hi,
I went home at lunch and was checking my plants and a small insect about the size of a gnat was flying over them (races around in circles saying "oh, no, oh no, oh, no!"). I have not had these long and am totally clueless about insects. Is there some kind of insecticide I can put on them to protect them in case this guy is dangerous? They look very healthy. A few water spots, but no diseased leaves. I pull off a leaf every now and then. Can you give me some advice on how to treat this and let me know what you think it is? Is this a bad sign? I could not catch him. Thanks so much. HP
My AV Mini-Crisis
fungus gnats. not a big deal in small numbers.... large enough infestations can be trouble for root systems.
Some people use mosquito pellets sprinkled on the soil, or other systemic remidies. Somebody told me recently that adding DE (diatomaceous earth) to my potting mix would take care of them (should kill the little larvae, anyway), so I'm going to start adding that to my mix.
Hp
They are most likely Black fly/ Fungus gnats . Here is some information about them
http://www.rachelsreflections.com/symptoms.htm
Keeping soil drier, good circulation, Cap of Murphy's oil soap in each gallon of water when watering, That fly yellow sticky paper, Strike Out Gnats fromm Gardens Alive, Meem oil...and I'm sure there's more stuff.
http://www.rachelsreflections.com/symptoms.htm
They grow in stages so can be hard to get rid of.
Knock-Out Gnats
http://www.gardensalive.com/product.asp?pn=1962&bhcd2=1136488839
Works for me. And I use the yellow sticky things also !
Yellow Sticky Traps
http://www.gardensalive.com/product.asp?pn=8127
Don't worry about them though you'll get rid of them.
Thank you very much. I am heading to the store tonight. : )
I'm mixing soil now and just checked the Optimara site... They recommend 1/4 tsp DE per liter of potting mix. Adding at least 1 part perlite per 1 part potting mix will also help by lightening your soil... fungus gnats seem to like wet conditions, but AVs don't.
I'm going to add some Murphy's oil soap next time I water, too... been seeing a few more of them than I like, lately.
LOL fungus gnats...the things I learn on here!
I use Murphy Oil Soap all the time ! And cap of lysol too lol Murphy's should kill soft body insect/bugs, Lysol kills fungus and mildew. It's always in my water in the winter :))
I also understand that simply warming new soil in the oven kills any fungus and gnat larva
Thanks, Nannanavarro. : )
Do you buy lysol in a non spray of some sort?
I should try that!
My GH and playhouse are a Fungus Gnat haven, especialy with the amount of wet weather we've had, no way for pots to dry out)! I ended up buying "Pre-Strike" it's a larvicide. 3 weeks protection.
Active ingredient is (S)-Methoprene 1.5%
(some use mosquito dunks or pellets as mentioned above too)
Add to water and water plants. Other ideas are to add a layer of sand to the top of pots, makes it hard to lay eggs in (not a reality for me, with hundreds upon hundreds of pots).
Nanna, I also baked my soil in tinfoil lasagna pans. 375º for about 30-40 minutes. (this was a soil-less mix I was using for begonia cuttings)
As a backup, I have little yellow sheets hanging all over the place, nicely decorated with dead bugs! (smile of satisfaction!)
Oh, yes, I sterilize my soil too.... especially for AV cuttings and for seed starting. I use the microwave. I have a bowl that holds about 2 quarts of soil mix and has a lid. It's very important to add enough water to the mix, a cup per quart is about what I use if it's bone dry, I think. I didn't add water the first time I did this, and the peat moss caught on fire!!
Anyway, put the moistened soil mix in the microwave with the lid *loosely* placed on top. Microwave on high for 10-15 minutes, until you see a good amount of steam (eg, condensation on the lid). Seal the lid, and let the soil mix steam for another 10 minutes or so.