When you’ve learn PlantCareToday.com for any time period, you understand how a lot we love pure treatments to plant issues.
Of those, one of the crucial widespread points for each indoor and out of doors crops is pest management.
Fungus gnats are a number of the most annoying. Though they don’t do as a lot harm as thrips or grasshoppers, they’re a nuisance.
However not all bugs are pests, and one of the crucial beloved and customary helpful bugs or pure predators is the standard ladybug.
These lovely little bugs are recognized for his or her giant appetites and style for aphids and lots of different widespread plant pests as a meals supply.
So what occurs while you determine to fight fungus gnats by introducing ladybugs to your backyard?
Do Ladybugs Eat Fungus Gnats?
As a lot as we’d like to offer an emphatic sure, the reality is that ladybugs solely eat grownup fungus gnats.
This implies that you could management however probably not cease a fungus gnat infestation utilizing ladybugs alone.
Why Do You Even Have Fungus Gnats?
It is a Very Essential Query (VIQ) that growers usually neglect to ask themselves.
Fungus gnats are so named as a result of they feed totally on fungus.
Thus, likelihood is the fungus gnats are a symptom, not the issue.
Test the humidity across the plant and ensure it isn’t too excessive.
Likewise, you will want to examine the soil floor for apparent indicators of fungal development or mould.
There’s additionally an opportunity the fungus gnats have appeared due to fungal root rot, so remember to examine for any signs of this lethal illness.
Till you discover the explanation in your infestation, it received’t be doable to completely do away with the fungus gnats.
Fungus Gnats vs Ladybugs: Why Simply Adults?
Ladybugs are some wonderful predators. Ladybugs prey on different dangerous bugs like aphids, fungus gnats, mealybugs, thrips, and even some grubs and larvae.
Nevertheless, the fungus gnat larvae are a bit of completely different.
Grownup fungus gnats will lay eggs within the naked soil, and the ensuing larvae stay underground the place they’ll feed in your plant’s roots in addition to any close by fungi.
Solely after they change into adults do the fungus gnats emerge and expose themselves to the hungry ladybugs.
For that reason, it’s doable for ladybugs to assist hold an infestation in examine, however they received’t be capable to get rid of it completely so long as the females are capable of lay extra eggs.
Make use of Ladybugs as A part of a Broader Treatment
Simply because ladybugs received’t get rid of a fungus gnat infestation on their very own doesn’t imply they’re ineffective.
Fairly the opposite, they are going to assist lower down the grownup inhabitants when you deal with the eggs and grubs.
Collectively, you’ll be able to get rid of even giant infestations in just a few weeks.
You may appeal to ladybugs by including crops they like within the backyard, and it’s also possible to get them organized on-line.
Simply be warned: if the ladybugs don’t have a motive to stay round, they’ll abandon your crops and go elsewhere.
Coping with the Supply
As soon as your ladybugs are quick at work, you’ll have to get rid of any fungi which can be attracting the fungus gnats.
Neem soil soaks may help your crops combat off fungal infections and may even kill a number of the larvae.
You’ll wish to deal with any root rot shortly, as this will simply kill your plant.
Fungicides may be essential to cope with the fungal an infection.
Blocking the Bugs
There’s one different tactic you’ll be able to make use of that can permit your ladybug allies to devastate the fungus gnat infestation: obstacles.
Feminine fungus gnats want a spot to land and inject their eggs into the soil, so what occurs after they can’t attain that soil?
A layer of coarse sand is usually a nice barrier as a result of it’s going to permit water to soak by way of with out letting the gnats by way of.
One other widespread barrier is diatomaceous earth.
Meals grade DE will lacerate the exoskeletons of any insect that is available in contact with it, however received’t hurt your kids or pets.
This treatment works finest indoors, however may also work open air should you reapply it each few days.
The third barrier that out of doors growers usually swear by is a mulch layer.
Pine needles or bark mulch could make it virtually inconceivable for the fungus gnats to get in or out of the soil whereas additionally defending the plant’s roots from frost.
It additionally permits water by way of and is usually a little extra enticing (and even barely nutritious in your crops) than sand.
Don’t Neglect Different Allies
Simply because ladybugs are probably the most enticing insect predator you’ll be able to decide and could be launched each indoors and out doesn’t imply they’re the one alternative.
Many small chicken species will feed on bugs similar to fungus gnats.
Likewise, one other widespread backyard ally is the parasitic wasp, which lays her eggs on pests so the larvae can eat their host alive – ugly however very efficient.
Neem desserts make an ideal fertilizer and may kill grubs and underground larvae with out harming earthworms or helpful nematodes.
Lastly, except you’ve got a plant that’s delicate to neem, utilizing a neem soil soak or foliar spray each two weeks may help defend your crops from many varieties of fungi, thus lowering the chance of a fungus gnat invasion.
