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ug! fruit flies!
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Posted by benedita NYC (My Page) on Mon, Jun 20, 05 at 19:05
I have a fruit fly problem, they seem to like the mulch in my many patio containers. I am growing mostly veggies, hence my worries. I am not leaving dead or rotten leaves on top of the soil, they seem to be hovering over and crawling on my hardwood mulch.
Any one know of a good solution?
thanks! |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: ug! fruit flies!
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| Are you sure they're fruit flies and not fungus gnats? They're little flies that are attracted to moist organic matter, and frequently appear on soil that's overwatered. Maybe remove the mulch temporarily and consider replacing it; and, in general, let the top inch of soil dry out between thorough waterings. If they hang around, a few applications of BT, sold as Gnatrol or Knock Out Gnats, should do them in. (This is a bacterium, not a chemical.) |
RE: ug! fruit flies!
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Thanks for the suggestions.
Trina, who raises organic plants for sale at the Union Square farmers market thought the same. I am not sold though, I read on line that fungus gnats look like mosquitos but what I have look like fruit flies.
I am going to see if i can find some beneficial nematodes that will eat the larvae of both bugs at the garden center this weekend. Is that was BT is?
thanks! |
RE: ug! fruit flies!
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| No, BT is a bacterium, a tiny single-celled organism, while nematodes are worms. You might check the label to make sure what you buy is suited for potted plants (and not just for garden soil). I hope it does the trick! |
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