Sciarid Fly Killer Nematodes 15 sqm

Product Information

Pour and apply the solution into the Houseplant pots, seed trays, or containers, directly into the growing media / compost, using all the solution between the treated pots. Full details for the use of biological control agents and compatibility of pesticides are available from biological control suppliers or consultants. Also see Section A – Principles of IPM. Other likely targets are cucumbers and cultivated mushrooms. When conditions are favourable – in houses or warm greenhouses – breeding can take place all year round. Fungus gnat larvae are normally brought in from infested potting soil, or soil in a new houseplant. They can also be brought in by firewood, since they like the damp bark.

The drying of the soils top surface will make it harder for all aspects of the sciarid lifecycle, as the adults have less food available with active growth of fungi greatly reduced and are deterred from egg laying into dry soil. The larvae also find it harder to move though a dry environment which allows for increased predation from predatory species. If applying with a hose end sprayer, mix with water and add to the applicator. Apply evenly over area to be treated.Bennison, J. (2007 and 2008). Protected herbs, ornamentals and celery: development of an on-nursery rearing system for Atheta coriaria for reduced cost biological control of sciarid and shore flies. Annual reports for HDC project PC 239. Apply to one third of the area to be treated through a coarse rose. Then repeat the above two steps until all product is used.

Application is as a drench to the casing surface via watering tree, lance or sprinklers, selecting the nozzle to give a coarse spray; the nozzle aperture should be greater than 0.5 mm. A Dosatron unit can be used. A lso known as fungus gnats, sciarid fly are one of the most common pest species we observe most notably within interior settings. Sciarid's have the potential to be very damaging to plants, with the larvae doing most of the damage to roots. With a rapid lifecycle exacerbated within interior heated environments allow populations to increase dramatically at times. How to use: Product contains living nematodes and should be used as soon as possible. Fresh is best!Sciarid Fly thrive in warm moist conditions and are a particular problem where greenhouse hygiene may have been overlooked. Water at the beginning of the day and try to avoid excessive wetness at the end of the day and always sweep up excess compost and plant debris, ensuring the growing bench is as clean as possible all of the time. How to get rid of Sciarid Fly There is a predatory mite, hypoaspis miles, that lives in the surface layers of compost and will feed on the maggots if the temperature is kept at around 21˚C. Where can I get the predatory mite for fungus gnats? Although fungus gnats are largely unavoidable, there are some techniques you can try to prevent them:

Sciarid fly (also known as compost fly) or Fungus Gnats are a common pest of greenhouse plants in the spring.Certain predatory mites can also be applied to the surface of the house plant compost, and can provide a very useful additional control of Fungus Fly. These tiny predatory mites feed on the small Fungus fly larvae they locate on top of, and just under, the compost surface. The most effective predatory mite to apply against Fungus Fly is called the Macrocheles robustulus, also known as Mighty Mite. Apply your Fungus Fly Killer Nematodes when damage to plants is observed or when Fungus Fly activity has been observed. Fungus Fly can occur all year round and can be treated at any time they occur. How Many Nematodes Do I Need?

Sciarid flies are teeny, tiny flies, from the family Sciaridae, they’re also known as fungus gnats, or by their genera’s scientific names of Bradysia or Lycoriella. Although sciarid flies live outdoors, as the flies are so minute in size, you’re unlikely to notice these insignificant little flies outside. Sciarid flies only become a pest indoors, they’re often seen lurking around houseplants, flying slowly near seedlings, cuttings, and glasshouse grown plants. These same flies can be spotted crawling amongst home-grown mushrooms, or flourishing in the damp, humid environments inside terrariums and indoor gardens. You might see sciarid flies floating in the air, as they flit around your houseplants, hover around inside your terrariums, or walk or run over the compost, as you move plant pots or seed trays. This insect-pathogenic nematode is commonly used on protected herbs against sciarid flies. The nematode suspension is applied as a compost drench. The nematodes swim to find a sciarid fly larva and enter the body, where they multiply and release symbiotic bacteria that kill it. The dead sciarid larva rapidly decomposes, releasing the nematodes, which can then infect other larvae (Fig. 5). The nematodes need to be applied carefully, following all supplier recommendations, e.g. the suspension of nematodes should be kept agitated during application, and the compost kept moist so that the nematodes can survive and move within the compost. The nematodes are effective in compost between 10-30°C, depending on product. Fungus Fly Killer contains Steinernema feltiae nematodes for the effective biological control of Fungus / Sciarid Fly. The nematodes enter the larvae via a natural opening, like the mouth, and feed on the contents of the larvae. A natural bacterium is produced by the nematodes inside the larvae, which kills it. Infected larvae will be completely broken down by the nematodes. The nematodes also reproduce inside the larvae, releasing more nematodes into the surrounding area. When Should I Apply The Nematodes? Product contains living nematodes and is therefore best used fresh. Product can be stored in a fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Chemical control (protected herbs)

Control using nematodes as a drench and then try to keep the surface of the compost as dry as possible (stand trays/ pots in water and soak from the bottom up rather than watering from the top). There are no pesticides with approval or Extension of Authorisation for Minor Use (EAMU) for the control of sciarid flies on protected herbs. Various pesticides such as pyrethrins and the pyrethroid insecticides cypermethrin and deltamethrin would kill adult flies, but control measures for scarid fly populations are best targeted against larvae. Pyrethroid insecticides are harmful to biological control agents for up to three months after application, thus they are incompatible with IPM. Sciarid flies can occur all year round on protected herbs, especially in warm, moist conditions e.g. in propagation houses. However, they are more of a problem in spring and summer, when warm temperatures allow faster increase in numbers, especially when more frequent watering is needed, which favours development of the pest. The development time from egg to adult is around three weeks at 21°C, but faster at higher temperatures e.g. only 17 days at 25°C. The adults, although weak fliers, can fly from infested areas to newly emerged seedlings or young cuttings. Integrated Pest Management (protected herbs) Cultural control The nematodes can travel through the moist soil and locate the fungus gnat larvae. They then burrow inside and reproduce, killing the larvae and creating more nematodes to hunt down more larvae until none are left. Once the larvae are gone, the nematodes have no prey and naturally die out.