Spider Plants
| 2 years ago :: Nov 07, 2007 - 10:56AM #1 | |
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[+o(] Can someone please help me? I am new at this gardening stuff and recently was introduced to houseplants and I love them. I have a spider plant that I am concerned with. I just noticed that at the base of this plant there are these black little bugs crawling around then flying upon being disturbed. Why is this happening and how do I get rid of them without killing my plant? Thank you for your help. |
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| 2 years ago :: Nov 08, 2007 - 5:15PM #2 | |
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Dawnrobin,
My first thought was that you have fungus gnats. I asked our Learn2Grow bug expert, Suzanne Wainwright-Evans, and here's what she said: "Well it sounds like fungus gnats. Beneficial nematodes are the best and safest way to control them. She can also use sticky cards to trap the adults..." We have a couple of articles on the Learn2Grow site that can give you more information! "All About Fungus Gnats" and "How to Use Sticky Cards" can both be found under Problem Solvers/Insects and Animals/Insect Damage & Control http://www.learn2grow.com/problemsolvers/insectsanimals/insectdamagecontrol/fungusgnats.aspx http://www.learn2grow.com/problemsolvers/insectsanimals/insectdamagecontrol/usingstickycards.aspx I hope that helps. Let us know how it goes for you. Mark Miller |
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| 2 years ago :: Jan 18, 2008 - 6:10PM #3 | |
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dawnrobin,
Ugh, fungal gnats...I'm sure they have their place in nature but like you I don't like the critters in my potted plants. In addition to the yellow sticky cards I use a natural product called BT( it stands for Bacillus thuringiensis) a benefical bacteria. I mix this according to the label and water my plants with the mixture, about every 7 days. This kills the larvae; small white looking worms living in the soil. You will still have the black gnats flying for a time but the next generation is dying in the soil. Finally try not watering the plant so much and any water that collects underneath the pot in a tray...just dump out. Hope this helps and the BT won't damage your plant at all. |
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