How do you recognize mourning flies and what can you do about them?
Funnel flies, also known as fungus gnats, are small, black insects often found around houseplants. Although they appear harmless, their larvae can cause damage to young plants and seedlings. In this blog you will learn how to recognize mourning flies and what you can do to combat them.
Characteristics of mourning flies:
-Size and Color
Mourning flies are small, about 2-4 mm long, and black in color.
- Flight behavior
They are often seen floating around the bottom of the plant or on the surface of the potting soil.
- Reproduction
Females lay eggs in moist potting soil, leading to rapid population growth under favorable conditions.
Damage caused by fungus flies: Although adult fungus flies do not cause direct damage to plants, the larvae that live in the potting soil can be harmful. They feed on organic matter in the soil, but also on the roots of young plants, which can lead to growth problems and in some cases death of the plant.
How do you effectively combat fungus gnats? 1.Let the top layer of the potting soil dry out
Mourning flies like moist conditions. Allowing the top layer of the potting soil to dry out between waterings makes the environment less hospitable for the larvae.
2.Use yellow sticky traps:
Place yellow sticky traps near your plants. These traps attract the adult flies by their color, after which they become trapped.
3. Use of nematodes:
Nematodes are microscopic worms that can infect and kill the larvae of fungus flies. They are safe for plants, people and pets and can easily be added to irrigation water.
4.Sand or perlite:
Cover the top layer of the potting soil with a thin layer of sand or perlite. This makes it more difficult for fungus flies to lay eggs. Precautionary actions:
- Check new plants:
Check new plants for signs of fungus flies before bringing them into your home.
-Optimal watering:
Don't overwater your plants, as too much moisture creates the ideal breeding ground for fungus flies. Mourning flies can be an annoying problem for plant lovers, but with the right knowledge and resources you can keep your plants healthy and pest-free. By applying the above tips, you can create a fungus-fly-free environment for your plants