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Growing from Seed

tiny tiny bugs crawling on surface of seed soil

15 years ago

Hello,

Last night I noticed that there were very very very tiny brown bugs (i think they're brown) crawling around on the surface of my seed starting mix around my amaryllis seedlings. I think they might be fungus gnat offspring because I have had a little problem with these this winter, but I'm not sure. You cannot see them unless you are specifically looking for them because they are so small, once you find them though- you can see them everywhere. Any idea what these might be? How can i get rid of them without damaging my seedlings?

Thank you

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Comments (2)

clumsygrdner
15 years ago
Fungus gnats do not survive if the soil becomes dry, so one management option is to permit the soil to dry out between waterings. Remember though, you don't want to let the soil get so dry that you are stressing the plant, your goal is simply to not have soggy, wet soil all the time.
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
15 years ago
Treating the soil with a BT drench should kill the Gnats. They will be problem for your germinating seeds and you may think the seed did not germinate. The larvae of the fungus gnats can keep the seed leaves from ever being seen. There is a BT product specific to Gnat control. Al
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