Fungus gnat or fly root aphids..please help

LamontCranston

Well-Known Member
nematodes
I battled root aphids in 2014... They are one of the worst pests you can imagine. I tried many treatments including Nuke 'Em (soil drench), No Pest Strips (which I didn't like doing), AzaMax, AzaSol, Neem Oil... Nothing seemed to knock them back. One of the problems with root aphids, is that there is more than one variety, and not all of them are susceptible to the same remedies or poisons. I had to restart everything from a cut with no root system (to avoid the transfer of these buggers.). I was scared to use the same room because there had to be some left in there...

That's when I discovered nematodes. These guys are the ultimate control for soil based insects. They are an army of microscopic insects that multiply in your medium and eat any baddies within. I've never seen a root aphid since... You can find nematodes at your local grow shop (usually on a sponge), or on amazon if you live in an unfortunate area that doesn't allow those shops.

The bad news is, since you have flyers, this means your root aphid colony is fully established. The aphids are looking for a more suitable colony to multiply in because their colony has outgrown your root system. They will be around for a while. Control them by taking fresh clones and thoroughly washing old pots in HOT water (120 Fahrenheit kills eggs). Throw away old soil, take it to the dump far away from your house. You can even cut open new bags of soil and add nematode-laden water to the bag and let them multiply in there to make sure the aphids aren't in there.

Good luck with these bastards, they are little tanks. The only way to kill them is by using the food chain against them.
 

GreenSanta

Well-Known Member
Your mix is never bad enough to take it to the dump. You can recycle your soil forever. There is always a good bug for the bad bug. If you use homemade compost that is well made, you should have all the beneficial insects needed. You can order beneficial insects for any pests marijuana plant can get.
 

LamontCranston

Well-Known Member
Your mix is never bad enough to take it to the dump. You can recycle your soil forever. There is always a good bug for the bad bug. If you use homemade compost that is well made, you should have all the beneficial insects needed. You can order beneficial insects for any pests marijuana plant can get.
Good point GreenSanta, I don't have room in my backyard for a compost pile though. =p I have neighbors a bit close to me, they probably know what I'm up to but I wouldn't like to rub it in... I fully support using ROLS if you have the time and space to do so.
 
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