Unknown small flying insect

Beano · Post by **Beano** » July 3rd, 2013, 11:35 am

I can't seem to get a picture of them but I have a pot with some cuttings, 2 of which may be failing hence why they seem to be under attack. This pot in particular has different soil to my other cuttings, just plain old searles potting mix. I've noticed this pot has a lot of ants, but also a lot of winged insects the same size as ants flitting around it and also in the soil. They crawl most of the time (quickly) but fly away when you get close and fly around you. They don't look like flying ants or Mosquitos. Should I be actively trying to kill these things? I put ant sand on the surface and watered in on the weekend but they seem to have multiplied since then.

squizzy · Post by **squizzy** » July 3rd, 2013, 11:46 am

Could be fungus gnat but hard to tell without pictures.

Look up that on google images and see if they look the same

Squizz

Beano · Post by **Beano** » July 3rd, 2013, 1:35 pm

Looks like they're fungus knats! Thanks for pointing me the right way.

Damian79 · Post by **Damian79** » July 3rd, 2013, 2:27 pm

Thanks Beano
I have a huge problem with these but wasn't sure what they were.

Cheers

Bradeen · Post by **Bradeen** » July 10th, 2013, 1:45 pm

According to my point use of view use of recommended fertilizers and pest removal sprays are better option to remove these little flying insects which may harmful for you.I know very well that the problems which are faced by every one due to these insects. What is your opinion about it share your thinking about it.

Beano · Post by **Beano** » July 10th, 2013, 1:57 pm

I threw out the cuttings In that pot, pretty sure they haven't taken and I've stopped watering the pot that has them and its taken quite a while to dry out. The bugs are still there but way less. Apparently they like waterlogged organic mix with some element of rotting debris. They're now taking a liking to some of my other pots which are 60% course sand 40% searles potting mix. We'll see how it goes.

Jester · Post by **Jester** » July 10th, 2013, 5:08 pm

If you can let the soil dry out. They are attracted to dampness. Also sounds to me like you are propagating in relatively wet soil.

Beano · Post by **Beano** » July 10th, 2013, 7:19 pm

Just that one pot. I ran out of space in my sand pots so put two in the regular pot. I'm keeping them quite damp because some of them are large cuttings and I don't want them to dry out, also they are budding as well. I dug down a bit today before watering and the top two inches were almost dry.

Newbie.mia · Post by **Newbie.mia** » July 19th, 2013, 11:14 am

I am also having huge problems with fungus gnats after all the rain in brissie this year I have lost most of my eucalyptus seedlings

AusBonsai