How do I get rid of this plague of compost flies?
MrYossu
11 years ago
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greenlarry
11 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Snow-In-Summer/bee balm : How do I get rid of the roots/runners?
Comments (4)First, a cautionary note. Is it 'Snow in Summer' (cerastium Tomentosa) or 'Snow on the Mountain' (Aegopodium)? These two are often confused when gardeners use their common names which is why you should ID them properly. If it's the 'summer', then you can do what you suggest without a problem. If it's 'Mountain', then I would file the whole lot under G (garbage) and dispose of it as far away from your property as possible. This is a plant which will take over and even the smallest roots will form another plant to take over whatever space it can. In the right place it can actually be stunning, but will need deep unbroken borders to keep it in check and should never be left to go to seed. A neighbor of mine tried to snuff out an area of the Aegopodium by cutting it back to the ground with a weed whacker, then covering with 2 layers of landscape fabric, then applying a foot of fresh wood chips. Two seasons later it returned with a vengeance forcing it's way through the overlapping seams and creeping out through the perimeter. The roots of the Bee Balm usually run in the first few inches of the soil, so burying them a bit deep would be OK....See MoreHow to get rid of fruit flies
Comments (1)Are those Fruit Flies or Fungus Gnats? Fruit Flies need ripe fruits and vegetables to feed on and can go from an egg to an adult in about 8 days. No ripe fruit or veggies, no Fruit Flies. Fungus Gnats just need damp organic matter to lay eggs that hatch in 3 days but take another 14 days to emerge as adults. Fungus Gnats are more common around compost bins, but are fairly easily controlled by allowing the compost to dry out some. Compost needs to ne moist but not damp. http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7448.html kimmq is kimmsr...See MoreHow to Get Rid of Fruit Flies Indoors
Comments (14)A couple things you could try. Mosquito dunk bits contains BT bacteria which besides mosquito larvae will kill fungus gnat larvae too. Also if you water with 1 tbsp per gallon of hydrogen peroxide (it won't hurt the plant, may actually give it more oxygen) that will kill the larvae too. use either for a few weeks and that should work....See MoreHow do I get rid of these white caterpillar or larvae?
Comments (14)Needle nose pliers are my implement of choice for things like tomato worms that try to grab me when I grab them, though I am generally not squeamish. Drop into a container of soapy water and then in a couple of hours when they have drowned, add to the compost. You can test a soapy water spray on the plants to see if it harms them and then spray directly on the caterpillars or there are organic soap sprays. I wouldn’t want a broad spectrum insecticide such as Malathion anywhere in my yard, and haven’t needed to resort to Spinosad yet, though I did get some in case the saw flies on the roses were too bad this season....See MoreThe Ficus Wrangler
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11 years ago
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