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Fruit flies invading
The reason I'm posting, is I'm wanting to deduce why they started appearing in the first place. I have a good hunch it was the grass clipping tea, but can anyone more experienced give their thoughts on this? They started appearing roughly around the time I first tried the solution by spraying it on the now-invaded plants, namely a regrowing lettuce and at the base of some spring onions. It makes sense that they then jumped to the nearby carrot pot (damp soil and only a foot away from the lettuce). Does this sound plausible? I have read that simply having damp soil can attract the pests but I swear I didn't have any issue before spraying the steeped grass clipping tea (which was steeped outdoors without a lid so maybe they bred in that and I was literally spraying fly eggs onto my plants?).
I am thoroughly disheartened but hoping to find the motivation to start again.
https://www.rodalesorganiclife.com/garden/fungus-gnat-control
https://www.smallfootprintfamily.com/controlling-fungus-gnats-organically
another thought...new seedlings don't usually need any sort of fertilizing until they are ready to transplant. I don't think this would have caused the gnats/fruit flies to appear though.
"We're all just walking each other home." -Ram Dass
"Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder."-Rumi
“When it is understood that one loses joy and happiness in the attempt to possess them, the essence of natural farming will be realized. The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings.”
― Masanobu Fukuoka, The One-Straw Revolution
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http://www.mosquitoreviews.com/bacillus-thuringiensis-bti.html
Living free starts with understanding ones own emotions and emotion affects and controls us.
L. Barry wrote:I found these flies are now in my two pots of seed potatoes. What do I do with these flies when the soil for these crops needs to stay damp?
I think I'm confused...are you growing these all indoors? even potatoes?
I think if it's fungus gnats or even fruit flies, neither would be a problem outdoors.
I hoped there would be something helpful in the links I posted and the bt link that Harry shared.
"We're all just walking each other home." -Ram Dass
"Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder."-Rumi
“When it is understood that one loses joy and happiness in the attempt to possess them, the essence of natural farming will be realized. The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings.”
― Masanobu Fukuoka, The One-Straw Revolution
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L. Barry wrote:The potatoes are outdoors far away from anything else that's growing. So they are appearing both indoors and out. I've tried the vinegar and dish soap solution but they aren't interested. Maybe they aren't fruit or fungus flies? I'd snap a picture but they are far too small.
so maybe the big question is are they doing any damage that you notice? and they are actually in the soil?
This may not be great advice, but I tend to just wait and see when it comes to insects as many times a predator will show up when the population gets high enough....as with aphids and lady bugs. I have enough plants though, that I don't worry about losing some.
what is your climate like? and is this the end of summer where you are also? Adding your location could help...doesn't have to be exact, just ballpark area or zone even.
"We're all just walking each other home." -Ram Dass
"Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder."-Rumi
“When it is understood that one loses joy and happiness in the attempt to possess them, the essence of natural farming will be realized. The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings.”
― Masanobu Fukuoka, The One-Straw Revolution
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http://homeguides.sfgate.com/rid-fruit-flies-breeding-plant-dirt-59391.html
Finding tiny fruit flies, or fungus gnats, loitering just above the surface of potted plant dirt is a common nuisance for indoor gardeners. These pests feed on the decaying organic matter and fungi in potting soil, although they do not cause any damage to plants. Fruit flies depend upon rotting organic debris to complete their life cycles, which is why you may also find them in the kitchen as they zero in on overripe fruits.
The article goes on to suggest a few safe methods to discourage both fungus gnats and fruit flies.
"We're all just walking each other home." -Ram Dass
"Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder."-Rumi
“When it is understood that one loses joy and happiness in the attempt to possess them, the essence of natural farming will be realized. The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings.”
― Masanobu Fukuoka, The One-Straw Revolution
So they may not be harmful to plants? I hope so. I've never seen them on the plants directly (heard the larvae eat the root hairs though?) so maybe that's a good sign. I'll try the sand method next.
I have seen these growing seedless tomatoes indoors. I used to have diverticulitis. They will harm your roots. It is not the flier that are the problem in damage but the larva.
Fruit flies are generally from using items in compost that is not recommended most often.
In both situations, you need to break the life cycles and will take a minute or two.
Living free starts with understanding ones own emotions and emotion affects and controls us.
L. Barry wrote:I'm in zone 2 (sub tropical) and we're actually entering into summer now. Gold Coast in Queensland to be exact.
So they may not be harmful to plants? I hope so. I've never seen them on the plants directly (heard the larvae eat the root hairs though?) so maybe that's a good sign. I'll try the sand method next.
I think I've heard that if the plants are healthy enough even the fungus gnats won't harm them....BUT, I don't have any first hand information.
I've never had either fly bother my seed start flats in the house or outside and we have had fruit flies at times in the kitchen, just not bothering the plants.
I like the idea mentioned in that last link of using a yellow card with something sticky on it (I wonder if fly tape would be yellow enough?).
Do you suppose that there is just too much under decomposed material in your potting soil? Apparently that's what both flies larvae feed on and if it's fungus gnats also some root hairs.
"We're all just walking each other home." -Ram Dass
"Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder."-Rumi
“When it is understood that one loses joy and happiness in the attempt to possess them, the essence of natural farming will be realized. The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings.”
― Masanobu Fukuoka, The One-Straw Revolution
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Hans Albert Quistorff, LMP
land available on the Key Peninsula
gmail hquistorff
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Beware the other head of science - it bites! Nibble on this message:
Binge on 17 Seasons of Permaculture Design Monkeys!
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