skip to main content

What is this tiny black fly?

17 years ago

I have several plants indoor by a south window. I started to notice some flies when I water the plants. These flies are very tiny, slightly smaller than aphids, black, looks like small mosquitos. They stay in the soil sometimes, when I water the plants they rise and fly. They are not very strong, normal soapy water will kill them when it touches them. My concern is that it seems their eggs and larvas lives in the soil (very tiny, whitish), does these larvas destroy my plants' roots? Some of my seedlings are growing very slow.

Here're some pics, first is the shape when it is alive, second is when it's dead (it is a little dried, the tail looks longer when alive)

{{gwi:1188894}}

{{gwi:1188895}}

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

morz8 - Washington Coast
17 years ago
They are fungus gnats and yes, they are especially damaging to seedlings - larvae feed on fine roots.

Bacillus thuringiensis v. israelensis (israelensis is important here, there are different types of BT for different pests) specifically controls the larva of fungus gnats and breaks the reproductive cycle. BTi is a biological larvicide that contains naturally occurring bacteria - not toxic to animals, birds, humans, fish. It does not persist in or contaminate the environment in any way. Some products containing the BTi are Gnatrol, KnockOutGnats, and in a pinch, you can make your own solution by floating a mosquito dunk in a container of water overnight, then using that to water on your normal schedule...using it about three consecutive waterings. Be sure to do all pots and containers and not leave any larvae to grow to adulthood to start the cycle over :)
abufish
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks a lot!! it is really helpful
Related Discussions
What is this tiny golden fly? (?)
Q
Comments (6)
Bellatrix Thanks! Though I didn't see red eyes, you may be right. The two pepper plants out there have had aphids, which I've been spraying off with water, and as you know that never gets rid of all of them! And no, I never kill insects unless I know what they are and they're real pests. I'm going to (gently) capture one when they return so I can get a closer look. Red eyes ought to cinch it! They're so small and do dart away if you get close that I had a hard time even getting them in the viewfinder. This photo of the long-legged fly sure looks a lot like my first photo, doesn't it? But it wasn't so red in the sunlight -- it was the color of gold.
...See More
Tiny flying beetles on Datura....
Q
Comments (2)
Thanks gentian. I hate to spray so I had been pulling them off and squishing them. I really need to but keep seeing lizards and little tree frogs around lol so I keep putting it off..
...See More
tiny fly on a guava tree. what is ?
Q
Comments (2)
Try a good soapy spray bath for your Guavas . Add regular dish soap to a hose end sprayer and have fun . Next month try an Ultra-fine horticultural oil spray . Third month - try BT - Bacillus Thuriengensis. Repeat as needed . Safe and easy to use . Follow directions on the bottles carefully . Very environmentally friendly - except to soft bodied pests .
...See More
tiny bugs in soil. black colored super tiny
Q
Comments (1)
Why not just change the water?
...See More

Related Stories

MOST POPULAR How to Get Rid of Those Pesky Summer Fruit Flies

By Mitchell Parker

Learn what fruit flies are, how to prevent them and how to get rid of them in your home

Fly Away: Decorating with Bird Cages

GARDENING GUIDES This Fly Is One of the Most Beneficial Insects Around

By Pollination Press LLC

Meet the syrphid fly, a colorful pollinator that also beats chemicals for controlling aphids and other garden pests

HOUZZ TV Fly With a Drone Over Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House

By Annie Thornton

Join us as we take a mesmerizing flight through and over Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House

RUSTIC STYLE Houzz Tour: A Fly Fisher’s Dream Along the Yellowstone River

By Becky Harris

This new home combines local ranch style with contemporary elements, including energy efficiency

WINDOWS Flying Colors: Stained Glass Through the Ages to Today

By Elements of Style

Ancient palaces sported it. Monks were distracted by it. But today's stained glass designs may be more glorious than ever

SMALL HOMES Houzz Tour: Rolling With Simplicity in a Tiny House on Wheels

By Mary Jo Bowling

Just 240 square feet, this California home encourages efficient living — but there’s still room for yoga

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS Room of the Day: Tiny Powder Room With a Treehouse Feel

By Becky Harris

Clean lines and whimsical wallpaper create a delightful jewel box under the stairs in a Connecticut home

GARDENING GUIDES This Tiny, Gentle Bee Keeps Busy

By Pollination Press LLC

Look closely for small sweat bees visiting your flowers throughout the growing season

COLOR 11 Reasons to Paint Your Ceiling Black

Mask flaws, trick the eye, create drama ... a black ceiling solves a host of design dilemmas while looking smashing

Sponsored

More Discussions

Why is this one upper stem of my Dracaena shriveling?

4

Palm pest how to treat

3

Native ground cover for shade in Philadelphi

2

Can you help me identify culprit if those damages?

4

Is this a spider mite or a soil mite?

0