I have this plant in a pot on my desk here at work and there are these little bugs around the soil and flying by the leaves. They are really small almost like fruit flies or gnats, but nonetheless they are very annoying adn I am wondering if they are going to harm my plant. I gave it some water with a little bit of dish soap yesterday, but they are still there.
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-11-03 11:06:00 · 8 answers · asked by Ms.BusyBody 4 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
fungal gnats lays their eggs in the soil where the larvae will feed on composting material and plant roots.
There larval stage is only 2 - 3 days.
To combat them, spray the plant and soil with neem oil.
Neem oil is natural and will repel insects via its smell and taste. It also causes deformities and sterility while pupating.
Try slicing up a potato and laying it on the soil around the pot. the larvae will move up and eat this.Then you can collect the slices at the end of the day wrap in plastic and throw in the bin.
put "Glad Wrap" (that plastic stuff you use to cover food) around the top of of the pot. If you can stop the adults from coming in contact with the soil, then they wont be able to lay eggs and the lifecycle will stop.
2006-11-03 11:53:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can mix rubbing alcohol and water 1/2 and 1/2 and spray it on your plant. Make sure you get under the leaves and all around. Spray the dirt too. It should get rid of them in a few days. Once you don't see them on the plant anymore check the dirt real good. If you take a pencil and poke it in the dirt a few times you'll see the bugs if they're still there. Just do the process again.
This is a very common problem with plants that are sold in stores other than florists.
2006-11-03 11:19:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Bounce dryer sheets. Put the plant in a plastic bag (At least the top part above the soil) Place a Bounce dryer sheet in the bag and try to close the bad as much as possible. In 3 or 4 days the bugs should be gone. Remove the bag and enjoy your plant.
2006-11-03 11:16:30 · answer #3 · answered by That 70's girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know about the dish soap but there is a plant soap-spray that will do the job. Just soak the plant with the spray and the bugs will be gone. And yes, the bugs will hurt the plant if left unchecked.
2006-11-03 12:21:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
these bugs will kill the plant.
probably came form that plant store.
but if you want to save it..do it the natural and cheapskate way
dump all the soil and microwave with a little water to dampen so it boils. that will kill the eggs and bugs without chemicals.
meanwhile rinse the plant leaves roots and all with cool water . rub light to remove bugs and eggs. and if ya can soak in a container of water.. to get in between roots and get all out. rinse some more.
soon as dirt is room temp replant.
or do new fertile soil.
2006-11-03 11:21:50 · answer #5 · answered by homelessinorangecounty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have plants and water bugs love the 2 items. I just use silk fake plants so I dont have them.
2006-11-03 11:12:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
take it home with you and just use a good spray like Hi-Yield Kill-A-Bug ll. This kills over 100 insects...a good thing to keep for home and garden plants.
2006-11-03 13:13:19 · answer #7 · answered by Cassie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is an organic spray that you can purchase from any supplier such as Lowe's that will clear up the problem in about a week.
2006-11-03 11:11:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋