Fungus gnats or not?

[ConorDash]

Hello,

Small thing... or things actually.
Are these fungus gnats? My internet searches tell me they are... And if so or not, anyone have experience getting rid of the pests? They are all over my olive and elms at the moment. As far as I can see and guess from looking, they do no damage but all the same I'd like to get rid..



I sprayed an all purpose pesticide, it then poured down very heavy rain and hail for 20 mins but afterwards... still there!
I've another pesticide I've not started using yet.

Any advice appreciate, as always.
Although Walter Pall started a thread today in this section so I couldn't imagine a bigger shadow cast over the rest of the threads! Lol.

 

[BobbyLane]

dont waste your sprays on them, it wont remove them. i have them in some of my pots too, its a sign the soil is a little wet. you can either let the medium dry out a little, which kills them or you can live with them. if really worried you can try this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=fungas+gnat+

https://www.amazon.co.uk/FUNGUSFLY-...F8&qid=1500923775&sr=8-6&keywords=fungus+gnat

 

[CasAH]

Look like British toilet flies to me.

 

[Lazylightningny]

You can tell if they're fungus gnats or not because the flies will crawl in and out of the substrate. Their larvae live in the substrate feeding on decaying organic matter such as dead roots. This is a problem with those of us who develop nursery plants, because invariably, there will be a fair amount of dead roots after we manipulate the tree. They are generally harmless to trees with healthy root systems. I have had recurring problems with these guys to some degree over the years. As stated above, the simple solution is to let your substrate dry out. This will also dry out and kill the larvae. If it is not possible to let the substrate dry out, I have gone as far as a Bug-B-Gon drench with successful results. Depending on the time of year, a repot, with cutting out the dead roots is also an option.

That does look like the little buggers, though. Look for larvae in your substrate.

 

[ConorDash]

dont waste your sprays on them, it wont remove them. i have them in some of my pots too, its a sign the soil is a little wet. you can either let the medium dry out a little, which kills them or you can live with them. if really worried you can try this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=fungas+gnat+

https://www.amazon.co.uk/FUNGUSFLY-...F8&qid=1500923775&sr=8-6&keywords=fungus+gnat

Do you just know everything? Lol. At this point I'm looking for something you don't know!
Thanks for the advice. I will let them dry out a little. I think it's due to all the wet weather we have had recently, heavy down pour and humidity has been like 80% according to my outdoors thermometer.
Didn't need to water today, even my trees in cat little.

You can tell if they're fungus gnats or not because the flies will crawl in and out of the substrate. Their larvae live in the substrate feeding on decaying organic matter such as dead roots. This is a problem with those of us who develop nursery plants, because invariably, there will be a fair amount of dead roots after we manipulate the tree. They are generally harmless to trees with healthy root systems. I have had recurring problems with these guys to some degree over the years. As stated above, the simple solution is to let your substrate dry out. This will also dry out and kill the larvae. If it is not possible to let the substrate dry out, I have gone as far as a Bug-B-Gon drench with successful results. Depending on the time of year, a repot, with cutting out the dead roots is also an option.

That does look like the little buggers, though. Look for larvae in your substrate.

Thank you that's very informative. I'm guessing it'll be very difficult to find the larvae though? And I could only possibly leave my trees, noticeably dry for a day.. I can't see that being enough time to kill them off?
I've actually not been seeing them crawl in to the substrate at all, just on top and around pot, trunk and leaves.
The substrate I'm using is all inorganic, cat little. It's surprising they survive on it as it's usually supposed to be very inhospitable for insects due to the dust.
My roots should all be rather healthy. All the trees these guys are on, were repotted this spring and have put on new growth since so I know it was successful and they are healthy.
All good learning experiences..

 

[sorce]

The substrate I'm using is all inorganic, cat little.

Quite sure it's dead tissue of the tree then they are laying eggs in.

I only get them with sphagnum on top....or dead tissue beneath. 100% DE...you know!

Jumping spiders on top.
Centipedes in the soil.

Works EVERY time!

Find jumping spiders on Sun drenched brick walls and centipedes under Moss.

I drenched a tree the other day and found a centipede come out of the soil....happy!

Moved some Moss on a ficus, found a centipede! Happy!

Saw a couple jumping spiders on the wall behind my Bloody English Boxwood garden.....Happy!

Finally found the culprits been eating my maple at night...

June bugs!

Smashed between 2 bricks! Happy!

Sorce

 

[Anthony]

Go Organic Luke [Connor Macloud of the Clan Macloud ],
Use the knowledge of the Old English
Use the organic

Seriously, though glad you got the help.

Yup tons of rain here for around 7 days, haven't had to water, just observe.
Trees are already root bound [ you can lift the pots with the trunks - carefully ]
So they handle the rain easily.
Also growing ---------------- no need for fertiliser.

Leaf cutters growing nests, feeding poisoned orange peels.
Isn't life good.
Good Day
Anthony

 

[ConorDash]

I'll have a good look for some of those insects Sorce, thanks. Currently the trees haven't been watered since I started this thread but it has rained so not needed it really.
The top layer is a bit dry but I think I can hold till tomorrow, after work 5:30pm before I might give up and have to water. Let's see if the bit of drought will damage their numbers...
At least they are not damaging any way.