Sciarid Fly Nematodes Fungus Gnat Compost Fly Organic Natural Killer Treatment Treats 12.sqm

Product Information

Nematodes are tiny (about 0.5 mm), colorless, cylindrical round worms that occur naturally in soils throughout the world. Different species work best against different target pests. Steinernema feltiae is primarily used against fungus gnat larvae and western flower thrips pupae in the soil. Fungus gnat larvae may be parasitized in any larval stage. Note that Steinernema feltiae does not control shore flies; however, the beneficial nematode Steinernema carpocapsae is available under the trade name Millenium to control shore fly larvae.

Combine the neem oil and Castile soap and pour it into the spray bottle. Fill the container with the water, replace the top, and shake to mix the ingredients.

The life cycle of the fungus gnat is made up of four stages: egg, larvae, pupae, and adult. Adult fungus gnats lay about three hundred eggs in their short lifespan. They typically live for about a week as adults, so they make the most of their time! Adults lay eggs in rich and fertile, moist soil at the base of house plants on the soil surface. Adult female fungus gnats lay their eggs in organic, moisture-rich environments like potting mix, which hatch into larvae in a matter of days at room temperature. In addition to feeding on fungi and organic matter in potting soil, these larvae might also chow down on houseplants’ roots. Within two weeks, they develop into pupae and finally adult fungus gnats, at which point they emerge from the soil to begin the cycle of egg-laying anew. What do fungus gnats look like? Predatory gall midge, Feltiella acarisuga. The 2mm long pale yellow maggots of this midge can find small hidden populations of red spider mite and when available can be used early and late in the season. Steinernema feltiae are naturally occurring micro-scopic worms and predators of ants. Colonies of ants will not tolerate these predators in their nests.

You will also need to continually remove organic debris from the soil, as this is the kind of material that the fungus gnats like to feed on. On a regular basis, rake up dead leaves, grass clippings, flowers, and other debris from your yard and potted plants. After you’ve cleared any organic waste from the soil, add some diatomaceous earth to the potting soil. One particular form of bacteria will destroy fungus gnat larvae: Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis. These bacteria are not in most commercial BT sprays but are available as active ingredients in commercial products as well. Use them to fertilize your growing media, and you should see a decline in your fungus gnat problems. John Sanderson, Suzanne Wainwright-Evans & Ronald Valentin. Grower Talks, 2021. Best Practices for Biocontrols Part 4.The harmful species invade the root system and change the plant’s metabolism via their saliva. For example, Beet cyst nematodes (Heterodera schachtii) can damage beetroot, spinach, and rapeseed. Fungus gnats in the family Sciaridae may be pests. They are typically harmless to healthy plants - and humans - but can inflict extensive damage to seedlings; their presence can indicate more serious problems. In houseplants, the presence of sciarids may indicate overwatering; they may be feeding on roots that have been immersed in water too long and are thus rotting, or the gnats may be attracted to fungus growing in saturated topsoil. Consequently, allowing the top two inches of soil [9] to dry may reduce their numbers. [10] The pests are sometimes also managed by placing a layer of sand [11] [12] pebbles, [13] or indoor mulch on top of the soil around plants. The nematodes will not harm plant leaves but wash them off into the soil, where they can control the sciarid fly. The nematodes are then reared in state of the art liquid fermentation facilities before being formulated into a product which is able to keep the nematode in an alive but dormant state so that it reaches the grower in the best condition.