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Bugs in my soil

18 years ago

Hi. I just planted some plumeria cuttings about a week ago and I've seen some small bugs flying around them and in the soil over the last few days. Could they be fruit flies? They're small like mosquito size, but they're pretty slow movers/flyers. I've seen babies, so they're laying eggs as well. They must like the moist soil. Any ideas on how to get rid of them without hurting the plumeria? Thanks for any help.

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Comments (8)

frangipaniaz
18 years ago
I have no idea but they are all over mine as well... since I don't know the name for them I don't know what kind of spray to recommend...
Brittany
plumtim
Original Author
18 years ago
Dave in NoVa told me they are Fungus Gnats. I discovered when I opened a bag of Potting Soil that they're already in the bag if it's been sitting for a while. He recommended sticky traps, but i'm having no luck finding any here, so I might have to try something home-made. Anybody else have any recomendations on how to get rid of them?
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flea like bugs! in my soil!
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Hello. I recently posted about the same thing. I think what you have are called Springtails and they won't hurt your plant. I think the advice was to water with a soapy water solution. Not antibacterial, but a mild soap. I did this and haven't seen any lately. If I am wrong, someone please correct me. Good luck. Lori
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Dreamer, no one has answered because your question hasn't been spotted by someone who knows. The longer it stays at the top of the page, the more likely someone will be able to help. A post begins to drop as soon as someone posts a comment, even you. I would strongly suspect that they are Dahlia root maggots. Do some research about how to avoid them in the future. Sorry....I didn't see the post until now. Potting mix, or anything used to grow plants in a container, is not comparable in any way to real garden soil happily situated as part of the earth. "Dirt " is constantly being renewed and restored. There are no walls, no bottom. Micro and macro fauna abound, all part of a highly complex, working system.....the soil system. Potting mix of any kind is inert, dead. It needs to be changed because it can't renew itself within the confines of a container. The ingredients from which it is composed begin to physically break down, deteriorate. As time passes, the characteristics we like about the potting mix we have chosen end up eroded. Porosity is lost. Some options last longer than others, but all must eventually be changed out or the plants will pay the price. By the way, if you were to use your finest native garden soil in a container, it, too, will turn into sludge when it's taken out of that whole system of biological, chemical, and physical interaction.
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round, tiny, white bugs/mites in my soil...help
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Comments (4)
have very tiny white bugs on my indoor herbs. I think they were in the potting soil because they only appeared after I transplanted my seedlings. Could these be cyclamen mites? Here is a link to some photos. http://picasaweb.google.com/MFusco/Bugs Here is a link that might be useful: Photos of the bugs
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What are these tiny white bugs in my soil?
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Comments (1)
They're not a problem. Allow the potting mix to dry off a bit. A general guideline: Plant pests move slowly whereas predators move rapidly.
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tdogdad
18 years ago
fungus gnats are usually a problem for seedlings as the larvae feed on the tender new roots. Most established plants are too strong. I once read that growers used sevin insecticide every three weeks. It said do not get on leaves, as it will burn. Yellow white fly traps might work and can be found in most mail order garden supply houses (ie. www.charleysgreenhouse.com) but this only removes the adults. I would consult a farm supply insect expert.
fayeelinor
17 years ago
I had this same problem with a new cutting that I potted indoors. I went to the local nursery to try to get some insecticide for it and they told me it was because the soil was too moist. Their advice was to let the soil dry out completly between watering. I did this and the flies eventually went away. It took about a month. But I didn't have to use any insecticide on my plumeria, which I count as a plus.
Faye
£opaka
17 years ago
Next time add a small teaspoon of Hartz flea and tick shampoo to a gallon of water and pour it on...
I even use it on my peppers and other fruits and spices with no ill effects whatsoever..
Don't waste a watering so add your favorite nutrient like superthrive if you want..
This is one of the reason i add pea rocks to the top of my soil..

Bye bye knats, bye bye scale,bye bye most bugs..

*note*
This is not a systemic treatment only a direct shot kill method.
Pam Honeycutt
17 years ago
I have had a lot of plants get these due to moist soil. The best way to get rid of them is to put a thin layer of sand or small gravel on the top. Also can spray with 1/10 strength peroxide and water. This won't hurt the plant.

Happy Gardening,
Pam
dogon
17 years ago
Sticky traps are available at most feed and grain stores.(you know the places that sell horse feed) Look in the phone book. They are hung in horse stalls for flys. Also cheap @50 cents ea.. I saw them at Home Depot as well. Good Luck
plumtim
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for all of the tips everyone.

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