Sciarid Fly Killer Nematodes 15 sqm

Product Information

Although fungus gnats are largely unavoidable, there are some techniques you can try to prevent them:

It has been found that 4 tablespoons of Mosquito Bits per half a gallon of water work great in control of fungus gnats. I’ve only used 1 tablespoon per gallon of water and still had excellent results. But you can safely increase the amount of Mosquito Bits if you want. Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis ( Bti) is an entomopathogenic bacterium that infects only flies, including fungus gnats. Commercially available products include Gnatrol and can be applied to the media as a drench. The bacterium is only effective against larvae and will not kill pupae or adults. Fungus gnat larvae ingest the bacterial spores, and the bacteria infect and destroy the fungus gnats’ midguts. Bti does not reproduce or persist in the media, so regular reapplication is necessary. This bacterium should not be mixed with fertilizers or fungicides containing copper or chlorine, which can kill the bacterial spores. Chemical Control Solarize potting soil and compost to sterilize it. To do so, place soil inside of a sealed plastic bag and pat it flat so that it is no more than 8 inches deep. Lay it on a raised location in the sun for at least a month—or two months or longer in cloudy places.Take approx 200ml (1/6th) of this concentrated solution and place in 2gall/10 litre watering can. Fill with water. Using a coarse rose apply to surface of 2.5sqm of compost.

Soak a mosquito dunk containing Bti in a gallon of water overnight. The next day, use that water as a continuing drench into the potting soil. STEP 2: Mix azadirachtin pesticide with water (optional). Yes, simply add to the soil in the pot/container. The nematodes can only travel through/live in moist soil, so they will not have far to travel. Nor will they leave your plant pots/containers. They will die out naturally once the fungus gnat larvae are killed. Maintain a weed-free environment. Weeds should be eliminated from inside and outside the greenhouse, including areas underneath benches, behind vents, and in pots. Weeds underneath benches may create a moist environment suitable for fungus gnat and shore fly development. Maintain a 20-30-foot weed-free barrier around the greenhouse perimeter to prevent weed seed germination and entry of new weed seeds through unscreened vents and doors.If you tend to water only one spot, please be aware that this will potentially leave fungus gnat larvae in other, unwatered, sections of the soil. So make sure to water the full soil surface. The nematodes enter the insect host through body openings. They multiply within the host and release a symbiotic bacterium which produces a toxin that kills the fungus gnat larvae. The larvae are killed within one to two days. More than one generation of nematodes may develop in dead host insects in the media. The infective juveniles then exit the dead body and search for new hosts to infect. How to use beneficial nematodes Killing fungus gnats off for good is difficult since each female lays around 150 eggs in their short lifetime. Fungus gnat numbers grow exponentially, and once set in can be hard to eradicate completely. Traps

The removal of peat composts to more organic based composts has been a positive move for the environment, but the new organic based composts do also attract more Fungus Fly, which enjoy feeding on organic matter. This has led to a general increase in the activity of this particular pests for many people growing house plants. Unlike many traditional pesticides there is no REI, an added bonus in propagation houses. There is also no possibility that the target pest will develop resistance. No adverse effects on non-target organisms have been observed in field studies. A full list includes: Arisaema, Aster, Astilbe, Azalea, Begonia, Bergenia, Camellia, Cyclamen, Echinacea, Epimedium, Euonymus, Fuchsia, Heuchera, Hosta, Hydrangea, Busy Lizzie, Kalmia, Lily, Peony, Phlox, Primula, Polyanthus, Raspberry, Rhododendron, Saxifrages, Sedum, Strawberry, Syringa, Yew and Wisteria.Eggs hatch into white, transparent or slightly translucent, legless larvae that are approximately 1/4 inch long. Larvae can be found within the top 1 to 2 inches of the growing medium; however, they can also be found in the bottom and on the edge of pots. Fungus gnats take approximately 2 weeks at 72°F to develop into a pupa. After 4 to 7 days, adults emerge from the pupal skin. Adult fungus gnats generally live about 10 days. The nematodes can travel through the moist soil and locate the fungus gnat larvae. They then burrow inside and reproduce, killing the larvae and creating more nematodes to hunt down more larvae until none are left. Once the larvae are gone, the nematodes have no prey and naturally die out. Adding some dish soap to a spray bottle and spraying the top of the soil can help kill off the gnats. Homemade fungus gnat traps Adults can be effectively controlled with labeled sprays or aerosols. The microbial insecticide Gnatrol ( Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis) is a bacterium that controls the larvae of fungus gnats, but not shore flies. It is most effective when applied as a drench. For information on recommended insecticides for fungus gnats and shore flies refer to Table 1. Table 1. Insecticides Recommended for Fungus Gnat and Shore Fly Management.

Yes, disposing of the top 2-inch layer of potting soil is an important aspect of getting rid of fungus gnats. Replace that soil with new, sterile potting mix suited to the particular plant, and consider topping it with a half-inch of sand or diatomaceous earth to make the plant less hospitable to the bugs.. Final Thoughts

Damage

The adult gnats don’t and mostly live off water; the larvae mostly eat organic matter, algae and fungi in the soil, but can also eat roots, especially in seedlings and if there is no other food source. Gnat lifecycle Fungus gnat larvae mostly eat things in the soil like algae, fungi, dead roots and organic matter. However, they can also feed on live roots, damaging your plant. This can cause deformed growth or death. Fungus gnats are actually attracted to soil, rather than plants, so they can infect all plant types. In houses, ants are attracted to crumbs of food or food left out, particularly fruit and anything containing sugar. They may also be looking for places to nest. Water from the bottom using a tray, rather than the top. Since the eggs tend to be laid near the top of the soil, this prevents the top section becoming too moist.