Fruit Flies!
19 hours ago
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18 hours agoRelated Discussions
Millions of fruit flies in my compost bin--is thi a problem?
Comments (58)A few more thoughts: A compost pile made with fresh manure will run hot and will not have worms in it to begin with. Decomposition is done by a wide variety of microbes and insects at higher temps. Worms only inhabit cool piles. The 'worms' that affect animals are different species entirely from earthworms and one should not assume that medications for one will affect the other. They might, they might not. Finally, vet drugs (and human ones too for that matter) undergo a battery of tests in order to be registered for sale in the US. This includes internal metabolism, where and how much of the original compound is excreted, and how fast it breaks down after that. So there is at least some attention paid to that issue. The dilution effect and the general probability of breakdown causes me to not worry about vet medications in manure. I am much more concerned about the persistent herbicides in the hay they ate because there is actual evidence of it harming gardens....See MorePineapple Guava (Feijoa sellowiana) in NorCal east bay - fruit flies?
Comments (6)In Central Florida near the East Coast we have a big problem with fruit flies both the Caribbean variety and the standard fruit fly. I have a home orchard with two guava trees. One is a Ruby Supreme guava and the other a Barbie Pink guava. The Ruby Supreme was under incessant attack by the fruit flies. Nothing I tried including spraying or using traps with apple cider vinegar and dish soap could eradicate them. Actually, the latter seemed to be effective against the Caribbean fruit fly but not against the standard fruit fly. To make a long story short I uprooted and destroyed the Ruby Supreme guava tree. It was painful because I love guavas but it's just too much trouble dealing with those pesky critters. The Barbie Pink guava is still in my orchard but I have noticed the fruit flies attacking it. So I removed all the fruit and threw them away. I will most likely destroy that tree also later this winter or maybe repot it into a half whiskey barrel planter. It might make a good gift for my sister if/when she buys her own home. Or if I could get a greenhouse installed in my yard then I could isolate the tree from the flies. I also have the feijoa selliowana (aka the pineapple guava) tree in my garden. The 5 of them are in pots and I had thought about making a hedge out of them. They don't seem to tolerate the blistering summer heat of Florida so they need to be in shady spot during the late afternoon hours. I am not sure if the fruit fly can attack the pineapple guava because it seems they have a much thicker peel than the ordinary guavas. A thick peel is the best line of defense against fruit flies I hear. I was hoping someone on this forum could confirm if they are resistant to fruit flies or not. But it has to be a report from someone who lives in an area that is prone to that sort of infestation....See MoreFruit flies?
Comments (24)If washing the roots, laying plant on some paper towels, newspaper or even cloth after will help to soak up extra moisture. Blasting them with a hose shouldn't be problem either, but swishing root ball in a dish of water is usually enough. Hydrophobic peat is difficult to get off the roots, since it dried up and hardened like a brick. It is better to use warm water in a dish, as it will re-hydrate peat faster. You'll probably loose some roots, but if plant is repotted into better conditions, it will grow many new roots, and most likely much more and stronger ones. Repotting is Spring is good idea, unless there is plants that are suffering in water-logged soil right now. Many ppl use clay-terracotta pots and swear they are best; I use mostly plastic and have np. As long as there is good drainage - drainage holes in pots and fast draining mix - plastic is ok. I have almost 200 succulents in plastic pots - some have been in same pots for few years. All tropical I have are in plastic too. And many perennials, overwintering outside, also in plastic pot. I am not sure if FG are attracted to peat - but they are certainly attracted to damp soils and also any mix with lots of organics in it. That is one of the reasons manure of any kind is not suitable for pots, especially indoors. It could work outdoors, as there are many beneficials to help, and usually better air circulation/wind. Hot, wet, humid, too much organic matter, standing water, poor air circulation = they are all contributors to what many pests like. Most could be eliminated and FG will go somewhere else :) ETA: adding to last paragraph: ...peat often stays wet for log time - and wet is attractive to FG......See MoreUmbrella plant and fruit flies
Comments (6)They are not fruit flies but more likely fungus gnats (similar in size and populations). And are the result of conditions outlined above - excessively wet or water retentive potting soil. The lay their eggs on the soil and the larvae feed on organic matter in the soil mix, including plant roots, so you have an endless line of continuing generations unless you do something to check their development. Lots of ways listed online on how to do that but the simplest method is to replace with a better quality potting soil and cut back on the watering frequency....See More- 17 hours ago
14 hours agoTry a banana peel and some beer or wine or water with a sprinkle of yeast, and use the corner of a plastic baggie with a tiny piece cut off to make a cone/funnel shape - or use parchment paper...
I position the bottom of the funnel higher than in this pic.
Suzieque thanked carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10- 10 hours ago
- 10 hours ago
6 hours ago
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