Mites? Got this plant on Christmas and only within the past week or two have these flies sprung up around. Is there a way to deal with them? This is happening on a rubber plant btw
Mites? Got this plant on Christmas and only within the past week or two have these flies sprung up around. Is there a way to deal with them? This is happening on a rubber plant btw
No those are fungus gnats they live in the soil if they bother you too much then you can get sticky traps that go in your plants to catch them
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Thank you, good to know they aren’t bad for plants.
1 likeThey are very bad for the plant. Their larva eats the roots and feeds on fungus in the soil. They thrive in continuously wet soil. Wet soil promotes fungus growth. They multiply very quickly and spread to other plants. Yellow sticky traps catches some of the adults, but, has no impact on the eggs or larvae in the soil. Control with Dawn dishwater spray or Mosquito Bits mixed in the water at watering time. Mosquito Bits kills the larvae in the soil. Repeat at least once a week. 🍀🪴
5 likesYeah you don’t really see them as much in the colder months but when it’s warmer they’re not uncommon. They like damp soil so you could try to reduce watering. You could also do a small dish with sugar, dish soap, warm water and a little vinegar. They’re attracted to it and it works like a little trap. Also doesn’t hurt to get some neem oil.
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Thanks for the info! Will try this.
1 likeFungus gnats are more annoying for the humans. I have heard conflicting evidence about their harm to your houseplants. I haven’t had a lot of success with mosquito bits or the yellow traps. They just kind of help to keep a population under control (never really eliminate them). Either go soil-less (other growing media) or you could try a beneficial nematode
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