Pests and Diseases - Symptom Selector

Fungus gnat

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Fungus gnat

Symptoms

Greyish-brown insects fly around the leaves and the surface of the soil. Whitish maggots can also sometimes be seen.

Cause

Several species of fungus gnats.

Harm

Both the flies and maggots are mainly harmless, only feeding off the organic matter in the compost. Occasionally, the maggots will eat young roots, although this is rarely fatal. The gnats are more unsightly and unsettling than harmful.

Treatment

Organic – the flies are attracted to yellow paper so hang sticky strips of yellow paper by the soil. These gnats are a particular nuisance with damp soil and will be encouraged by lots of plant debris, so it is important to keep plants tidy. Top-dress moisture-loving plants with pebbles to cover the moist compost.
Biological - the natural enemies that can be used to control this problem include the nematode Steinernema. The nematode enters the body of the fungus gnat and releases a bacteria which kill them within a few days. The bacterium is harmless to other beneficial insects, animals, pets and children.

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