I have an indoor garden where these tiny little gnats seem to spring forth like wild-flowers after a long rainy winter from the soil of my plants. I have a few yellow fly strips up, however, after about a week and a few hundred flies later, they stop having any space left for more flies!
I have tried nematodes and ladybugs, however those are very expensive require lots of work. My indoor garden, because of where I live, is going to be prone to these bugs no matter what I do.
I have a small outdoor garden where spiders have taken residence and seem to keep my bug problem at bay, and I have had MUCH experience with spiders and how beneficial they can be as predators. I always leave 2-3 in or around my house or garage that are out of reach to keep my bug problems at bay. (we all have flies, face it…)
Is there a "safe" species of spider that I can introduce into my very small indoor garden that will keep the bug problem at bay? Can a "safe" sepcies be kept under control?
Curious answers, I agree with some, not with others. (also a degreed horticulturist)
There is no one general pest control method. For example, the insecticidal soap works great on soft bodied insects, but not the hard shelled. Plus the soap can severely harm certain plants. Horticultural oil works by smothering insects, but once again, can harm certain plants. Neem is selective, diatomaceous earth is selective, pyrethrum isn't all that safe (even if it is from nature….so is tobacco/nicotine and nicotine is extremely toxic and no longer available for pest control. Get the idea? Same thing with predatory/beneficial insects; they are selective and with pray mantids, they eat all the other bugs including fellow family members.
The answer……….use a multiple approach, what we call integrated pest management. First know what your pest problems are, learn how to treat each (hopefully there will be something that will work on many, be prepared to have multiple pest control options running at the same time. For example, the yellow sticky traps, make your own out of bright yellow plastic, coat with a sticky substance and when filled with pest, scrape them off and put the boards back out. Release parasitic wasps, use beneficial nematodes if you have large container plantings, use insectidial soap where appropriate, oil elsewhere, Neem, etc. By alternating treatments you keep the pests from developing a resistance. Also…….have a look at your growing environment. Is it such that you have breeding areas for these pests and through good cleanliness and techniquest you can eliminate many of these pests before they reach your plants?
The spiders may get rid of the other bugs but they will be a problem them self.
I think I heard some where that I mild soapy mix will keep down pests.
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get some lizards.
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You can buy ladybugs and praying mantises from organic plant companies. They would do a better job than spiders. Also make your garden friendly to birds. They do the best job of all when it comes to eating insects.
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you could try spiders,lizards, frogs but you could also try companion planting ask at your nursery there are lots of plants that will deter pests.
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A common "Daddy Long Legs" is a safe spider, and readily available. I believe between these spiders, a light spray of water and lemon scented dish soap onto the plants, you can maintain a healthy balance, between bug and plants. Another alternative is to purchase Lady Bugs, they are inexpensive, and can keep many unwanted invaders at bay. Remember the smell of lemon and marigolds are deterrents to most insects.
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I know you say that you don't like chemicals, so why not use a Pyrethrum spray? Totally organic, made from the Pyrethrum Plant itself. You can also use soapy water, by spraying the plants with this it will suffocate the pest but you may have to use a few applications in this case.Also good for aphids, white fly etc, basically any sucking insects.
Using another pest is not the best idea, you may end up with a bigger problem.
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Horticulturalist, Work in Garden Centre
Organic Farmers use Insecticidal Soap when insects get out of control. The soap is made from fatty acids from plants. Here is an excerpt:
Insecticidal soap is the safest of all natural based pest controls. Made from naturally occurring plant oils, the soap disrupts the waxy outer skin of soft-bodied insects, causing dehydration and death. Beneficial insects such as ladybugs and praying mantis are hard-bodied and not affected by the soap. Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) listed.
Insecticidal Soap is a contact insecticide and has no residual activity. It is readily broken down by light, so there is no soap residue. Insecticidal soap can be used up to the day of harvest on all edible plants.
Good luck!
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First, to the "Horticulturist" who works in a garden center, there is no such thing as a Pyrethrum plant. Pyrethrins come from marigolds. (I'm a degreed horticulturist)
Second, the bugs that are in your soil are fungus gnats, and the only way to kill them is to treat the soil. The BEST way to get rid of them is to not let the soil stay wet. Let it dry out between waterings. If that's not possible, a solution of 1 tsp dish soap with a gallon of water and pour it through the soil once a week for four weeks. You can also use nicotinic acid (all natural) or the pyrethrins mixed with water and the 1 tsp dish soap, and pour through the soil. Again, the BEST way to get rid of the fungus gnats is to let the soil dry out COMPLETELY between waterings. They feed on the fungus in wet soil.
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The problem with spiders is they lay eggs in a sac and die off every fall, at least in areas where you get a frost-freeze cycle.
You could try daddy longlegs spiders, or a few stink bugs.
You could also try completely replacing the soil of your indoor garden with fresh, sterilized potting soil, and rinsing the roots of your plants off before repotting.
Another option is a non-insecticidal treatment I have found helpful for many kinds of soft bodied insects on my orchids. Safer Insecticidal Soap works well, as does Murphy's Oil Soap. SIS is in the garden department, while MOS is with household cleaning supplies.
You could also check a health food store, or a country feed mill. They might have other options. You could also talk to your county extension agent. They work with farmers and gardeners to help them find the best solutions.
Sheesh, had I known someone wanted them, I'dve shipped you several quarts of the ladybugs we had swarming all over the windows and doorframes.
Another good resource is Organic Gardening magazine and the great books published by Rodale House.
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Lady bugs are the best, you can typically buy them at your garden center, even home depo. Besides with lady bugs you won't creep out any friends/family or god forbid a girlfriend – she'll never come back!
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D.A. you think you are a pretty good, but your wrong!!
Pyrethrem( Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium)comes from a plant similar to a chrysanthemum not a marigold(tagetes). The pyrethrum oil is extracted from the flower.
Adult fungus gnats wont hurt the plants, but the maggot larvae will feed on the roots and cause the plant to lose vigor.
The larvae and pupae of these gnats can survive in very dry soil, so don't let your plants dry out too much.
You can cut potato into slices and let them sit on the pot for a few hours, the larvae will move into them. Wrap them in a plastic bag and throw them away.
you can get a biological spray containing Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis which will kill them.
This stuff is often sold as "Dipel"
Or you could try using neem sprayed on the leaves and watered into the soil. Often neem will alter the insects body while its pupating, causing things like deformed wings etc.
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Curious answers, I agree with some, not with others. (also a degreed horticulturist)
There is no one general pest control method. For example, the insecticidal soap works great on soft bodied insects, but not the hard shelled. Plus the soap can severely harm certain plants. Horticultural oil works by smothering insects, but once again, can harm certain plants. Neem is selective, diatomaceous earth is selective, pyrethrum isn't all that safe (even if it is from nature….so is tobacco/nicotine and nicotine is extremely toxic and no longer available for pest control. Get the idea? Same thing with predatory/beneficial insects; they are selective and with pray mantids, they eat all the other bugs including fellow family members.
The answer……….use a multiple approach, what we call integrated pest management. First know what your pest problems are, learn how to treat each (hopefully there will be something that will work on many, be prepared to have multiple pest control options running at the same time. For example, the yellow sticky traps, make your own out of bright yellow plastic, coat with a sticky substance and when filled with pest, scrape them off and put the boards back out. Release parasitic wasps, use beneficial nematodes if you have large container plantings, use insectidial soap where appropriate, oil elsewhere, Neem, etc. By alternating treatments you keep the pests from developing a resistance. Also…….have a look at your growing environment. Is it such that you have breeding areas for these pests and through good cleanliness and techniquest you can eliminate many of these pests before they reach your plants?
References :