Fungus flies?
 

Hi, I have several banana plants I've been growing from seed in pots, but also a Musa basjoo I bought as a small plant. The plant seems to have landed with what I've been told are probably fungus flies - tiny black flies that were suddenly everywhere.

I've tried using diatomaceous earth on the pot surfaces to get rid of them, and it's helped a little, but they keep coming back. I've used fly paper too, but that's a real hassle because of where I live and where the plants are.

Do you have any suggestions as to something to put in the soil to kill thee little buggers off before/after they hatch?

Re: Fungus flies?
 

Are these plants inside or outside? ... Use a spray for quick knock down of the flies and spray the area to eliminate the flies. If the plants are outside, the use of a repellent would help to keep the flies away.

Re: Fungus flies?
 

I use hydrogen peroxide food grade plus yellow sticky pads for my inside banana plants,seems to keep them at a low level.

Re: Fungus flies?
 

Sorry, yes, they're inside (this is England and it's winter :)). How are you using peroxide? And can you tell me more about the yellow sticky pads?

Re: Fungus flies?
 

I use yellow sticky traps, they can be found online and in plant stores. I also use a couple bug zappers I purchased on ebay.
I also water with Microbe-Lift BMC It helped with control of the larva in the soil. There are several Microbe-lift's so make sure it's BMC, Biological Mosquito Control.

Re: Fungus flies?
 

Thanks, I'll see if I can find something like that in the UK. I forgot to say I also have a fly zapper.

Re: Fungus flies?
 

Microbe-Lift BMC appears not to be available in the UK. I'll see if I can find a local equivalent.

Re: Fungus flies?
 

I have a small zoo of them.:)
A Youtube search will reveal some interesting ideas on how to combat gnats.
Most of them do work quite well if a name brand product is not available locally.

Use keywords mosquito dunks and fungus gnat control and see if that will work for you.
If you find an alternate product with the active ingredient it will work.
This will control the sub surface larvae.

Check out the hydroponic store nearby...they might have something inexpensive.

The gnats are very attracted to the blue red spectrum of grow lamps which will burn them up.
Sweet oil in a bottle cap works well for the stragglers too.
Treat the drainage holes on the bottom of your pot also....they love it down there.

Also a forum search has some good threads/discussions on how to control gnats using other products as well.

Re: Fungus flies?
 

Try putting a coating of sand over all exposed dirt. worked for me. you can pack it down after watering

Re: Fungus flies?
 

I've had success with a combination of the watering with hydrogen peroxide method + dusting the soil with Ceylon Cinnamon.

It makes an initial impact, then just have patience waiting for the rest to die off.

Both kill the fungus in the soil the larva needs to feed off of. In additional both are beneficial to the plants. Just be careful with the peroxide --there are ratio charts online, be sure to follow.

In a particulary stubborn case, I would briefly open the windows in the daytime so they would fly through the screen to a great cold snowy death :parachutenanner:

Good luck. Those things are such a nuisiance!