Help! Sciarid Fly... only 4 weeks left to harvest

[killroy999]

I seen these little buggers one here ... one there ... but now 4 weeks left to harvest they have exploded in population.

Do i have any worries with only 4 weeks left to harvest ?

Only one plant seems to be affected.... browning leaves, but they are all over my other pots on the surface of the soil..

Should i try the cigarettes in water tea next time I water ?

[Muddy Waters]

Those are commonly called fungus gnats and are fairly common in commercial potting soil mixes. Best thing I've found for them is sticky paper. I use these and have had good results. http://www.gardensalive.com/product....pot%20stickers

[killroy999]

Your right, They came in a bag of Premier mix.

Note... as of Feb-05-10.. i used pieces of paper covered with Vaseline and the little buggers are getting trapped.

Caught over 10 in first hour alone...... at now I am breaking the life cycle and they wont be able to mate.

Just wonder how long before the gnats in the soil emerge and become trapped too.

[bobthejoiner]

the larvae are hatched from eggs deposited in first inch or so of soil.if you cover in inch and a half of fine washed gravel the gravel drys out rapid leaving eggs in dry gravel thus killing them before they hatch.you could try this with your sticky paper

[astra007]

you can use sulphur dust on the tops of the pots or spraying with lime/sulphur

[killroy999]

I guess I should have not filled the pots all the way up to the top.

I guess I could dig out the first couple of inches of soil out so I can back fill with stone or pearlite but considering I only have about 3-4 weeks left before harvest,- I may risk damaging the roots more than the pest would have in doing so.

Has anyone had a major issue with budded plants so close to harvest like this?

[sandiegoweedman]

Originally Posted by astra007

you can use sulphur dust on the tops of the pots or spraying with lime/sulphur

I tried this once and it worked great!

[killroy999]

Wont the sulfur dust work its way down into the roots and affect the plant somehow when watered ?.

[astra007]

look up the 17 essential elements for growing marujuana; primary, secondary and trace. and you lightly dust or do a weak lime/sulpher spray.

as he said = it worked as sulphur has been used for centuries as an insecticide and works good if you get mold.