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Author Topic: Sciarid flies  (Read 1718 times)

johnstephen29

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Sciarid flies
« on: February 16, 2016, 04:40:08 PM »
Hi I have a scadoxus which is infested with sciatic flies, is there any way to get rid od these? I have payed off with the watering to try and dry out the compost,I'm not sure what else to do.
John, Toynton St Peter Lincolnshire

Maggi Young

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Re: Sciarid flies
« Reply #1 on: February 16, 2016, 04:51:54 PM »
Are there signs of damage from the grubs to the plant, John?   Drying out the compost  may help a bit - but it's not  a complete answer I don't think.

 Have a look at what the RHS says about  these flies (fungus gnats)  https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=804
Margaret Young in Aberdeen, North East Scotland Zone 7 -ish!

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johnstephen29

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Re: Sciarid flies
« Reply #2 on: February 16, 2016, 05:20:25 PM »
Hi Maggi thanks for the link, there was some useful information on there. I'm not sure if there is any damage to the plant, I'll have to tip it out and clear away the compost and check the bulb.
John, Toynton St Peter Lincolnshire

Margaret

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Re: Sciarid flies
« Reply #3 on: February 16, 2016, 07:04:32 PM »

I read that Cape sundew (Drosera capensis) was useful for controlling fungus gnat. It did seem to work for a bit but the sundew soon started to fail. Lack of sun and Thames water were likely to be the cause.
Margaret
Greenwich

David Nicholson

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Re: Sciarid flies
« Reply #4 on: February 16, 2016, 07:22:18 PM »
John, is your Scadoxus in a peat-based compost? They particularly like a very damp environment and if this includes a peaty compost they thrive. Any good insecticide should sort them out, try spraying them fortnightly for a couple of months.
David Nicholson
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johnstephen29

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Re: Sciarid flies
« Reply #5 on: February 16, 2016, 07:46:13 PM »
Hi David it's in leaving tons John innes which is supposed to be soil based, I try to avoid peat if I can help it. I have an insecticide, but will it kill any grubs in the soil chewing on the roots?
Hi Margaret it the water hard down your way? Here the water is really hard and you have to make sure the kettle washing machine etc is kept lime scale free.
« Last Edit: February 16, 2016, 07:55:04 PM by johnstephen29 »
John, Toynton St Peter Lincolnshire

David Nicholson

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Re: Sciarid flies
« Reply #6 on: February 16, 2016, 08:33:48 PM »
John might be best to drench the soil rather than spray.
David Nicholson
in Devon, UK  Zone 9b
"Victims of satire who are overly defensive, who cry "foul" or just winge to high heaven, might take pause and consider what exactly it is that leaves them so sensitive, when they were happy with satire when they were on the side dishing it out"

Maggi Young

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Re: Sciarid flies
« Reply #7 on: February 16, 2016, 08:35:31 PM »
No John, up here in Scotland all our water is soft -  ours is very good - very soft - no need for descaling kettles or washing machines for us.
Margaret Young in Aberdeen, North East Scotland Zone 7 -ish!

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johnstephen29

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Re: Sciarid flies
« Reply #8 on: February 16, 2016, 09:29:15 PM »
Your lucky Maggi if you forget the kettle in a few days the inside is soon covered and your chewing on lime scale with you tea >:(
John, Toynton St Peter Lincolnshire

 


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