26 October 2021

Customer Question – Treating little black flies?

Q. “I have those tiny little black flies everywhere. What’s the best product for getting rid of them?” Thanks C

A. Thanks for the message and I assume the little black flies are indoors i.e. in houseplants or in a greenhouse? If so then they are Sciarid Flies also known as Fungus Gnat. The best solution is Sciarid Nematodes which are just watered into he affected plants. Then you can top with Sciarid Zoot Off Granules to stop them coming back.

Sciarid Fly – Also known as compost fly / fungus gnat, Sciarid fly is a common pest of greenhouse plants and houseplants. The Sciarid flies crawl over the compost surface and if disturbed fly on to the lower leaves – there can be very annoying especially on houseplants. The larval stage in the compost attacks the roots and can kill young seedlings. Control sciarid fly naturally by applying Sciarid Nematodes.

Sciarid Fly Nematodes are safe to use on food crops, safe for children, pets and wildlife and are easy to use – mix the nematodes with water and water directly into the affected pots / trays. Sciarid Fly Nematodes need a daytime soil temperature of 10°C. Safe for plants – will not scorch tender seedlings or young plants. Safe for you – use on plants in your living room or conservatory. Sciarid Nematodes are a living, perishable product (it will keep for up to 2 weeks in the fridge), so please order when the pest is present and you are ready to treat. Available in two sizes – choose between a STANDARD 15 sqm pack or a LARGE 50 sqm pack.

Sciarid Zoot Off Granules – Stop Sciarid Flies laying their eggs in your pots / containers / seed trays by adding a layer of Sciarid Zoot Off to the surface of your compost – layer should be at least 1cm deep. It can be spread around established plants or applied after seeds have been sown and the seedlings will germinate through the dressing. This new granular product is made from dried, crushed olive pommace (the dried left-overs from making organic olive oil) with an added volcanic mineral. Sciarid Zoot Off is made out of natural / non-toxic ingredients, is attractive in appearance, fragrant, biodegradable, safe to use and is totally safe for pets and wildlife. Available in 1.7kg bags, each bag will cover 1.2 sqm. How it works :-

Add a layer of Sciarid Zoot Off to the surface of your compost at least 1cm deep.
Protects plants and seedlings from the damage caused by sciarid maggots.
Forms a physical barrier between the adult sciarid flies and the compost so they are unable to lay their eggs.
Deters egg-laying fungus gnats by creating a dry layer above the soil surface.
Also helps to reduce evaporation around the germinating seeds.
Use in combination with Sciarid Nematodes – use nematodes to treat Sciarid Flies already present and then top with Sciarid Zoot Off to protect the plants from future infestations.

Pot Glue Traps – Use these yellow Pot Glue Traps to monitor and control insect pests such as Sciarid Fly in your pots – perfect for using alongside our Sciarid Fly Nematodes. Supplied in a pack of 5 x DOUBLE SIDED Traps with 2 x 30cm metal holders. The pot traps with holders are perfect for positioning at the base of the plant, near the compost to control Sciarid Fly, while the traps can also be suspended higher up the plant for pests like aphids and whitefly. Insect pests are attracted by the bright colour and become stuck to the trap. They should be changed as they become full up with pests or become dirty. Pot Glue Traps are available in packs of 5 with 2 x 30cm metal holders included.