Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Lurach on 5/24/2011, 7:41 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.

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!!

FamilyGardening on 5/24/2011, 10:56 pm

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

Lurach on 5/25/2011, 7:39 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. =(

shannon1 on 5/26/2011, 10:50 pm

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.

Or you may have carrot flies

shannon1 on 5/26/2011, 10:52 pm

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

Lurach on 5/31/2011, 12:47 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!

stripesmom on 5/31/2011, 2:30 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).

The Cynergist on 5/31/2011, 3:54 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.

stripesmom on 5/31/2011, 4:25 pm

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

jkahn2eb on 5/31/2011, 4:29 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.

ModernDayBetty on 5/31/2011, 4:57 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!

shannon1 on 6/2/2011, 9:05 pm

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

The Cynergist on 6/5/2011, 10:32 pm

stripesmom wrote: I love basil.

Soooooooo do I. Basil and sage are my favourite herbs

Barkie on 6/6/2011, 8:32 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!

shannon1 on 6/6/2011, 8:51 pm

I know what you mean.

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

Is anyone else having issues with flies and gnats??

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