Square Foot Gardening Forum
[table bgcolor=#000000 height=275][tr][td]
Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Toplef10Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? 1zd3ho10

Hello Guest!
Welcome to the official Square Foot Gardening Forum.
There's lots to learn here by reading as a guest. However, if you become a member (it's free, ad free and spam-free) you'll have access to our large vermiculite databases, our seed exchange spreadsheets, Mel's Mix calculator, and many more members' pictures in the Gallery. Enjoy.

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? I22gcj10Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? 14dhcg10

[/td][/tr][/table]

Join the forum, it's quick and easy

Square Foot Gardening Forum
[table bgcolor=#000000 height=275][tr][td]
Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Toplef10Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? 1zd3ho10

Hello Guest!
Welcome to the official Square Foot Gardening Forum.
There's lots to learn here by reading as a guest. However, if you become a member (it's free, ad free and spam-free) you'll have access to our large vermiculite databases, our seed exchange spreadsheets, Mel's Mix calculator, and many more members' pictures in the Gallery. Enjoy.

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? I22gcj10Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? 14dhcg10

[/td][/tr][/table]
Square Foot Gardening Forum
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.
Search
 
 

Display results as :
 

 


Rechercher Advanced Search

Latest topics
» Saucy Lady Tomato Seeds
by OhioGardener Yesterday at 5:13 pm

» Ohio Gardener's Greenhouse
by sanderson Yesterday at 2:11 am

» Interesting Marketing for Compost
by sanderson Yesterday at 2:09 am

» N & C Midwest: Nov. Dec. 2024
by cyclonegardener 12/5/2024, 10:50 pm

» Mark's first SFG
by markqz 12/2/2024, 11:54 am

» Indoor Lighting for Kitchen Herbs & Lettuce
by Jjean59 12/1/2024, 10:37 pm

» Famous Gardening Quotes
by OhioGardener 11/29/2024, 11:05 am

» Happy Thanksgiving from the USA
by Scorpio Rising 11/29/2024, 8:50 am

» Kiwi's SFG Adventure
by KiwiSFGnewbie 11/28/2024, 2:48 pm

» Cooked worms?
by KiwiSFGnewbie 11/28/2024, 2:45 pm

» Happy Birthday!!
by sanderson 11/28/2024, 3:14 am

» Catalog season has begun!
by sanderson 11/28/2024, 3:13 am

» Butterbaby Hybrid Squash (Butternut)
by Scorpio Rising 11/24/2024, 8:19 pm

» How does green turn to brown?
by OhioGardener 11/21/2024, 4:58 pm

» Tree roots, yeeessss.....
by sanderson 11/20/2024, 2:21 am

» The SFG Journey-Biowash
by has55 11/19/2024, 7:37 pm

» What are you eating from your garden today?
by OhioGardener 11/19/2024, 8:27 am

» New SFG gardener in Auckland
by KiwiSFGnewbie 11/16/2024, 11:25 pm

» Thanksgiving Cactus
by OhioGardener 11/12/2024, 5:40 pm

» Need Garden Layout Feedback
by markqz 11/9/2024, 9:16 pm

» Thai Basil
by Scorpio Rising 11/8/2024, 8:52 pm

» How best to keep a fallow SFG bed
by KiwiSFGnewbie 11/8/2024, 8:11 pm

» Preserving A Bumper Tomato Harvest with Freezing vs Canning
by plantoid 11/7/2024, 11:36 am

» What Have You Picked From Your Garden Today
by OhioGardener 11/5/2024, 2:29 pm

» Greetings from Southeastern Wisconsin
by sanderson 11/5/2024, 2:01 pm

» Spinning Compost Bin-need some ideas
by rtfm 11/2/2024, 7:49 pm

» Growing fruit trees in Auckland
by OhioGardener 10/31/2024, 4:23 pm

» Vermiculite -- shipping sale through 10/31/2024
by markqz 10/30/2024, 2:27 pm

» N & C Midwest: October 2024
by Scorpio Rising 10/30/2024, 10:38 am

» Old Mulch and Closing Beds for Winter
by sanderson 10/26/2024, 11:00 pm

Google

Search SFG Forum

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

+5
The Cynergist
stripesmom
shannon1
FamilyGardening
Lurach
9 posters

Go down

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Empty Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Post  Lurach 5/24/2011, 10:41 pm

Something I've noticed about living here is the abundance of flies and sand gnats. (See how I'm trying to stay positive by referring to them as "abundant"? LOL) This year, however, they are buzzing around our yard in truly insane numbers, since I started my SFG boxes. I already had one maggot infestation in one of my boxes last month, during which the roots were munched right off my plants. I started over, but I'm not sure I can go through that again. No

Sooo...I thought I'd see if anyone else in this zone has the same problem with flies? How do you manage them without going crazy? Is it always this way with SFG in this region? Any advice for a newbie would be great. Thanks!!
Lurach
Lurach

Female Posts : 63
Join date : 2011-04-12
Age : 49
Location : Fort Stewart, GA

Back to top Go down

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Empty Re: Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Post  FamilyGardening 5/25/2011, 1:56 am

Im in the PNW and have noticed more flies.....i was thinking its because im using compost tea for the first time on my plants up and around the house as well as in the garden.....i pritz them also with the compost tea......i have no idea if that is why or not.....or if there is just more bugs this year Very Happy

hugs
rose
FamilyGardening
FamilyGardening

Female Posts : 2422
Join date : 2011-05-10
Location : Western WA

Back to top Go down

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Empty Re: Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Post  Lurach 5/25/2011, 10:39 am

I was wondering about the compost, if that's attracting all these flies. If so, then how does everyone keep the maggots out of their SFGs? I'm really enjoying gardening, but I'm afraid if this is going to be a major issue I'll have to get rid of my boxes. We're in military housing so neighbors are very close. If they start complaining then Housing may make me take them down. =(
Lurach
Lurach

Female Posts : 63
Join date : 2011-04-12
Age : 49
Location : Fort Stewart, GA

Back to top Go down

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Empty Re: Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Post  shannon1 5/27/2011, 1:50 am

I too am having issues with the wee Twisted Evil 's this year. Lucky for me the ones that have moved into my MM are shore flies which live in or on algae growth or on very wet, decomposing organic matter and these are common in growing areas where conditions are damp. Shore fly larvae do not tend to feed on root systems.

You may have fungus gnats. Fungus gnats are a more serious pest because they can cause so many crop problems by weakening the root system of a large number of plants.Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? 660px-Trauerfliege


Or you may have carrot fliesIs anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? 474px-Chamaepsila_rosae%2C_wortelvlieg_%282%29
shannon1
shannon1

Posts : 1695
Join date : 2011-04-01
Location : zone 9a St.Johns county FL

Back to top Go down

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Empty Re: Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Post  shannon1 5/27/2011, 1:52 am

It is important to ID the type of fly then it will be easier to out line a control plan
shannon1
shannon1

Posts : 1695
Join date : 2011-04-01
Location : zone 9a St.Johns county FL

Back to top Go down

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Empty Re: Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Post  Lurach 5/31/2011, 3:47 pm

Shannon1 - Some of the flies are just common house flies. We have a major influx of them every summer here, but they seem much worse this year. Also I saw some really skinny looking ones and some green ones. I'll try to get some pictures and post them. Thanks for your reply!
Lurach
Lurach

Female Posts : 63
Join date : 2011-04-12
Age : 49
Location : Fort Stewart, GA

Back to top Go down

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Empty Re: Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Post  stripesmom 5/31/2011, 5:30 pm

Lurach, I've noticed in the past few days a huge increase in the amount of flies. I can't even go outside with out feeling like they are all over my face. This is not only around my boxes, it's all over the place. I have never seen them this bad this time of year. What I have noticed is, each year, one kind of bug will become more of a nusance than it was last year. Last year, we had a big problem with ticks. They were every where. I'm wondering if the flies won't be the bug of this year. Also, I don't compost (yet).
stripesmom
stripesmom

Posts : 291
Join date : 2011-03-28
Location : SE Iowa

Back to top Go down

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Empty Re: Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Post  The Cynergist 5/31/2011, 6:54 pm

I don't know if it works for all kinds of flies, but my Mother had tons around her house last summer and found planting basil took care of it.
The Cynergist
The Cynergist

Female Posts : 141
Join date : 2010-05-26
Age : 62
Location : South Eastern Ontario, Canada

http://adf.ly/115253/gardenblog

Back to top Go down

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Empty Re: Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Post  stripesmom 5/31/2011, 7:25 pm

Thank you Cynergist. I have planted some and will now plant it all over the place. Can't hurt, I love basil.
stripesmom
stripesmom

Posts : 291
Join date : 2011-03-28
Location : SE Iowa

Back to top Go down

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Empty Re: Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Post  jkahn2eb 5/31/2011, 7:29 pm

We bought a fly trap at Home Depot (six bucks, little plastic container with a green top) and we have a 1/2 inch layer of flies now laying in the morgue/crypt. Try one or two of those. They smell but it's better than a swarm.
jkahn2eb
jkahn2eb

Posts : 257
Join date : 2011-01-13
Location : Gilbert, AZ, Zone 9B

Back to top Go down

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Empty Re: Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Post  ModernDayBetty 5/31/2011, 7:57 pm

jkahn2eb wrote:We bought a fly trap at Home Depot (six bucks, little plastic container with a green top) and we have a 1/2 inch layer of flies now laying in the morgue/crypt. Try one or two of those. They smell but it's better than a swarm.

I have little tiny flies around one box. The kind that sucks nectar out of the plants. The two boxes that don't have a problem I worked really hard with companion planting (did someone say basil? lol) but the third I did not. I added onion to the corners of each square of all three boxes, except around beans and peas, they apparently don't like each other. Long story short, the corner with no onions or other companion plants has the flies. I will be trying that container jkahn2eb is suggesting this year. Next year I will be working harder on companion planting, it really seems to help.

They are super annoying!! I hope we all get these under control, glad I'm not alone and good luck to everyone!
ModernDayBetty
ModernDayBetty

Female Posts : 298
Join date : 2011-03-19
Location : Central Washington Zone 7a

Back to top Go down

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Empty Re: Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Post  shannon1 6/3/2011, 12:05 am

krazikandiland wrote:
jkahn2eb wrote:We bought a fly trap at Home Depot (six bucks, little plastic container with a green top) and we have a 1/2 inch layer of flies now laying in the morgue/crypt. Try one or two of those. They smell but it's better than a swarm.

I have little tiny flies around one box. The kind that sucks nectar out of the plants. The two boxes that don't have a problem I worked really hard with companion planting (did someone say basil? lol) but the third I did not. I added onion to the corners of each square of all three boxes, except around beans and peas, they apparently don't like each other. Long story short, the corner with no onions or other companion plants has the flies. I will be trying that container jkahn2eb is suggesting this year. Next year I will be working harder on companion planting, it really seems to help.

They are super annoying!! I hope we all get these under control, glad I'm not alone and good luck to everyone!
Great tip Krazi
shannon1
shannon1

Posts : 1695
Join date : 2011-04-01
Location : zone 9a St.Johns county FL

Back to top Go down

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Empty Re: Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Post  The Cynergist 6/6/2011, 1:32 am

stripesmom wrote: I love basil.

Soooooooo do I. Basil and sage are my favourite herbs
The Cynergist
The Cynergist

Female Posts : 141
Join date : 2010-05-26
Age : 62
Location : South Eastern Ontario, Canada

http://adf.ly/115253/gardenblog

Back to top Go down

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Empty Re: Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Post  Barkie 6/6/2011, 11:32 am

It's wavering here between being bitten by gnats, being scorched then being bitten again. Why can't they just flippin' well bite each other!
avatar
Barkie

Posts : 305
Join date : 2011-03-25
Location : Wales, Uk. Last frost May

Back to top Go down

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Empty Re: Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Post  shannon1 6/6/2011, 11:51 pm

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? 641297 I know what you mean.
shannon1
shannon1

Posts : 1695
Join date : 2011-04-01
Location : zone 9a St.Johns county FL

Back to top Go down

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Empty Re: Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Post  Barkie 6/7/2011, 1:56 am

Pics would be helpful to identify which flying bugs you have an abundance of.

Living near a river has a downside. It hardly seems worth my time fitting a lid on the rain barrels to stop mozzies getting in to breed when they can fly here. They rarely come into the house but I was woken up at 5am this morning after being bitten. I'll dab some olbas oil or citronella oil on a tissue and put that on the bedside tables. Citronella candles for use outside are supposed to help. For raised beds it maybe cheaper to try drops of citronella lamp oil on a spent teabag.

Flowering herbs near the door attracts bees and I'll be suggesting we don't paint the new door gentian blue because they apparently find it an attractive colour and they end up in the kitchen getting agitated until I open the window. It may be a myth but I heard that kitchens painted pale blue put off house flies. They sell decorative door fly screens in Spain but cheap ugly ones here. Of the aphids Whitefly can be a problem on indoor plants, Greenfly suck the sap of mainly outdoor plants but I squish them or knock them off with a jet of water and Nasturtiums attract blackfly here, they seem to think it is the best thing on the planet. Lacewings and hoverflies are a gardeners friends because their offspring devour aphids.

I keep my active compost and fresh waste bins covered. I also close bags after use and have never found maggots in them. In beds "white maggots" may be the larvae of beetles.

So if you can post pics of the insects we can sort out what is what. I'll pass you back to folks from your area though for insects that are peculiar to your area.
avatar
Barkie

Posts : 305
Join date : 2011-03-25
Location : Wales, Uk. Last frost May

Back to top Go down

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Empty Re: Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Post  Lurach 6/9/2011, 1:28 am

The Cynergist wrote:I don't know if it works for all kinds of flies,
but my Mother had tons around her house last summer and found planting
basil took care of it.

The Hubby and I read that about basil. I have 3 basil plants (1 in one
of my boxes, and 2 planted with my tomatoes), but they don't seem to be
keeping the flies at bay. =( Perhaps I need to plant some more.

Krazikandiland - I'm definitely going to be looking more into companion
planting for next year. I got a late start this year and was in a hurry
to get my plants/seeds into boxes.

Barkie - I took pictures just before
being called out of town last week...really good macros (at least for me). Unfortunately, my laptop had to go into the shop and I won't get it back for another 2 weeks. And apparently I didn't manage to transfer that folder onto the external when I was backing up. Grrrr!
Lurach
Lurach

Female Posts : 63
Join date : 2011-04-12
Age : 49
Location : Fort Stewart, GA

Back to top Go down

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Empty Re: Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Post  The Cynergist 6/9/2011, 8:48 am

Lurach wrote:Perhaps I need to plant some more.

Hmm. . . maybe. But then maybe basil doesn't work for all kinds of flies. My Mum's problem was the regular house fly. They used to swarm her front door, but after planting about 3 basil plants in front of her house, they vanished.
The Cynergist
The Cynergist

Female Posts : 141
Join date : 2010-05-26
Age : 62
Location : South Eastern Ontario, Canada

http://adf.ly/115253/gardenblog

Back to top Go down

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Empty Re: Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Post  Hoggar 6/9/2011, 12:25 pm

Lurach

hear are a couple of pages with info that might help.
I have used a couple of Ideas from them.

Natural Insect Pest Control

Companion Planting
Hoggar
Hoggar

Male Posts : 307
Join date : 2011-03-30
Location : Salt Lake City, Ut

Back to top Go down

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Empty Re: Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Post  Lurach 6/9/2011, 2:07 pm

Cynergist - I'll try planting basil around the doors. Flies keep getting in the house, so anything that'll keep them out is worth a try.

Hoggar - Thanks for the info!

I found my pictures, so here are the three types of flies I'm seeing in my gardens:

Fly #1
Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Fly-1-05-31-11

Fly #2 - This is the one I'm calling a regular housefly, and it is the most prevalent in my garden/house.
Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Fly-2-05-31-11

Fly #3
Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Fly-3-05-31-11
Lurach
Lurach

Female Posts : 63
Join date : 2011-04-12
Age : 49
Location : Fort Stewart, GA

Back to top Go down

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats?? Empty Re: Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Post  Sponsored content


Sponsored content


Back to top Go down

Back to top


 
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum