I have some kind of small flies all around my plants that I started indoors for an early garden. I would like to do something about them but hate to treat the plant with an insecticide - BUT I WILL. The problem is that bad. Any suggestions? What should I use if I get an insecticide? I have tried soap in the past when I had problems with white flies or spider mites, but it usually kills my plants. And what did I do wrong? Thanks B M
Good day Brett. This sounds like fungus knats. They are eating fungus that is growing in your soil. They are not affecting the plants, but they are letting you know that your watering too much and or your temps are a bit low where the plants are kept.
Safers soap will kill them but not the eggs in the soil. Spray once a week untill their gone. You can also use yellow sticky traps if your not into spraying. You can make your own traps with yellow construction paper smeared with tangle foot.
The soap did not damage your plants in the past. I would suspect that the plants had suffered too much damage before you treated them.
Sir,
I thank you greatly for your response. The over watering is probably a yes. I have catch basins under each plant and this is probably not helping.
I tried to mix a concoction of syrup and boric acid but they didn't like it. They do however, love cups with just a bit of water in it. This kills them by the bunch.
Safers Soap? Where do you get that. Will Wal-Mart have it? And the Tangle Foot? I have heard of a Tangle Tree, but never tangle foot. If I can locate these items I will give it a try.
Many thanks
BM
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