white flys and aphids eating everything!

[marasri]

Maybe because there are more bugs out there that have white fly on their daily diet.

[bali]

Hey you might have it ??????///Or birds ??????
Or bees..........

You know last few years the bugs been getting my stinky marigolds something terrible.........Never used to .
Folks plant them cause they are to battle bugs??????????????
Crazy..

[marasri]

People plant them , I think because they discourage a harmful nemitode, I thought. I guess the bugs that are getting them are not the ones that they discourage.

[dirtyfingernails]

bali,
Candy is doing very well.Now she will see a dermatoligist every year for checkups. Thanks for asking.
As for the whiteflies.They are outside all the time ,but cannot fly in even a slight breeze.You can spot them on warm muggy days in the summer.They will suck the juices from the plants when they multiply. Nasty little buggers.
We wish you luck on eliminating them.
Bill

[marasri]

When my parents were living in Hawaii, someone from the mainland brought over white fly and they exploded. In houses, the ceilings were covered with a 1" thivk layer of them. /They were everywhere.

They blanketed outside. It appeared that no bugs, birds or lizards in Hawaii wanted or knew to eat them. People were real freaked out.It got into my mothers cooking. People sprayed poison but they would just come back after a week or so. Then the animals got it quicker than the ag agents thought they would. and white flies were put on the menu successfully . Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. this transpired over 6=12 months.

[phenixmoon214]

Thanks to an article in Martha Stewart magazine with pictures, I have identified one of my nasty buggers as spider mites instead of aphids. It said wipe leaves & pot with alcohol swab- same advice I got from our Pooh. After doing that I pruned off several of the Confederate Rose's leaves since they looked pathetic. I have it potted with a bunch of irises that aren't bothered by the spider mites in the slightest.

The other bugs I am still not sure about. Like a very small fruit fly? Gnat maybe? Black, not white. Very annoying & so abundant. Having a party in the soil. Putting all the pots back on outside today since its going to 78. Anyone have advice before I break down & buy insecticidal soap? These bugs have taken over my house...

[zuzu's petals]

Moist, nutrient-rich potting soil and a lack of air circulation combine to create the perfect environment
for growing fungus, and the fungus attracts fungus gnats.

Adult fungus gnats lay their eggs on moist soil and the eggs hatch into larvae,
which then feed on the fungus growing in the damp soil.
After feeding, the larvae pupate and hatch into adult fungus gnats starting the cycle all over again.

For quick control of the wee beasties, purchase a pyrethrum-based product
(non-toxic to people and pets, made from Chrysanthemum extracts)
and spray it as an aerosol on the plants which are infested.
Also drench the soil to kill the next generation of larvae.
(use a bucket of the mixture - mixed according to product instructions)
Several treatments may be necessary.

To help prevent further recurrence, remember that the gnats cannot develop into mature adults
without a food source (fungus) to feed on.
To disrupt the fungus growth and the fungus gnat reproductive cycle, let soil dry out a bit between watering.
Good air circulation is also helpful.

[phenixmoon214]

Thanks for the info. Heading over to 'Depot now.

[zuzu's petals]

I hope it does the job quick for you
not too crazy about winged bugs flitting around inside the house.

[phenixmoon214]

Hubby either, though he has gotten quite good at swatting them, but its ridiculous already...

The hard part in letting the soil go dry is the brugs protest almost immediately & I read they don't want to get dried out... I don't want to choose between bugs & brugs. Come on, spring!

[zuzu's petals]

Oooh, yah, I know what you mean about the Brugs, don't want to sacrifice those!
In a case like that, maybe just some repeated soil treatments with the pyrethrum.

[mickeys_rose]

If you can find Neem Oil that works great to. It is 100 percent natural and bugs hate it.