Date: Sat, 12 Aug 2000 05:13:22 +0200 From: "Guy Van der Kinderen" <Guy.VanderKinderen@rug.ac.be> To: cp@opus.hpl.hp.com Message-Id: <aabcdefg2540$foo@default> Subject: Re: Fungus Gnats (was Orthene in UK)
Dear Paul,
I would'nt be so sure about the larvae of fungus gnats' diet. They do like
to nibble on fine roots (especially seedlings are very vulnerable), and it's
not easy to get rid of them. If your Drosera collection is not sufficient to
catch away the adult gnats, you can use yellow sheets of glue paper, which
are also used to catch white fly. The larvae however may be very persistent,
and are mostly controlled by rather toxic pesticides. Fortunately there are
biological methods to controll them. One of them is a nematode called
Steinernemia feltiae, which are usually applied as cystae mixed with some
kind of clay . Also a carnivorous mite can be used, but I don't remember the
name at the moment. I hope these biocontrolls are also available in the UK.
Be carefull with imidacloprid, which is sold here in Belgium under the trade
name 'Confidor'. It is systemic and seems to work against mealy and scaly
bugs. However, it is a relativily new product with still rather unknown
biological and ecological properties. The manufacturer suggests to first
check it out, as it may be toxic to certain plants. In addition, there's
also the warning to never use it more than two times, which is rather
strange.
Kind regards,
Guy
> Dan, Thanks for your reply.
>
> Using the generic name of Acephate, I called RHS Wisley for some help in
> locating suitable sources.
>
> Unfortunately the regulations in the UK prevent this chemical being sold
to
> anyone other than professional growers.
>
> The pest I am trying to get rid of is, I believe, a fugus gnat that has
> settled on some seedlings and the larvae are now crawling through the
soil.
>
> They probably won't cause too much damage as they live off dead material,
> and there doesn't seem to be much of that. The bigger problem is that the
> plants are indoors and the gnats are becoming a nuisance.
>
> The sundews I placed nearby are covered in them.
>
> Wisley recommended using a soil drench called Bio Provado.
>
> Does anyone have any experience with this. The active ingredient is
> imidacloprid.
>
> Thanks
> Paul
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