Sciarid Fly Killer Nematodes 15 sqm

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They are distributed through wind and drifting, for example on dead wood, and are often introduced by humans, by means of transported humus or similar. Certain predatory mites can also be applied to the surface of the house plant compost, and can provide a very useful additional control of Fungus Fly. These tiny predatory mites feed on the small Fungus fly larvae they locate on top of, and just under, the compost surface. The most effective predatory mite to apply against Fungus Fly is called the Macrocheles robustulus, also known as Mighty Mite. The nematodes are easy to apply and completely safe to use around children, pets and wildlife, making them the perfect solution for organic gardening. St ratiolaelaps scimitus ( Hypoaspis miles) and Macrocheles robustulus are ground-dwelling predatory mites commonly used for sciarid fly control and can be very effective. Adult females of both species are up to 0.8 mm long, off-white , with a pale brown shield covering most of the upper surface of the body.

Fungus gnat larvae are normally brought in from infested potting soil, or soil in a new houseplant. They can also be brought in by firewood, since they like the damp bark. Sciarid larvae can be monitored by examining the compost surface, around the roots and inside the pot after tapping out the plant.Seedlings and cuttings are most affected by this and so are a major problem for herbs, greenhouses and nurseries.

Control using nematodes as a drench and then try to keep the surface of the compost as dry as possible (stand trays/ pots in water and soak from the bottom up rather than watering from the top). Currently, around 1700 species are described, but an estimated 20,000 species are awaiting discovery, mainly in the tropics. More than 600 species are known from Europe. [3] Description [ edit ] Fungus Fly Larvae feed on plant roots, and are capable of killing young plants if left untreated. Overwatering Plants Can Lead To Infestations Bennison, J. (2007 and 2008). Protected herbs, ornamentals and celery: development of an on-nursery rearing system for Atheta coriaria for reduced cost biological control of sciarid and shore flies. Annual reports for HDC project PC 239. The life cycle of only a few species has been studied in any detail, mainly those which are pests of commercially grown mushrooms. Sciarid larvae often occur in decaying plant matter such as rotten wood or under the bark of fallen trees, but can also be found in animal feces or fungi. [2] The species Austrosciara termitophila is an inquiline in termite nests while the genus Vulagisciara is a guest in ant-plants of family Rubiaceae. [2] Also, some species mine in plant parts above and below the earth. The larvae play an important role in turning forest leaf litter into soil.Ebrahim, Ayman (2010-06-01). "An illustrated Key to the larval stages of dipterous families in Egypt". Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences. A, Entomology. 3 (1): 145–172. doi: 10.21608/eajbsa.2010.15251. ISSN 2090-0813.

Pesticide control The RHS believes that avoiding pests, diseases and weeds by good practice in cultivation methods, cultivar selection, garden hygiene and encouraging or introducing natural enemies, should be the first line of control. If chemical controls are used, they should be used only in a minimal and highly targeted manner. To treat Sciarid fly, mix the nematodes with water and water directly into the affected pots / trays. Atheta adults and larvae can sometimes be seen under pots or in/on compost. A ‘bait pot’ technique using an artificial food source for Atheta has been developed in HDC project PC 239 (Bennison,2007 & 2010).The adults with their characteristic dancing flight do not bite. They only ingest liquids and live only long enough to mate and produce eggs. They die after about five days.