Midges on seedlings: causes and methods of getting rid of them

Small midges are common in houseplants and greenhouses. It's important to know whether they pose a danger to the crops and humans. Let's explore this issue and identify methods to get rid of them.

Midges on seedlings: life cycle and types

Small flying insects in greenhouses and houses do not even belong to the midge family.

The following species are found in seedlings:

• House flies (also called fruit flies, fruit flies, and indoor flies) are fruit flies that appear near rotting fruit;
• green - a winged type of aphid and lacewing;
• black ones are sciarids, also known as soil mosquitoes;
• white - whiteflies.

The life cycle of these insects consists of 4 stages:

1. Egg.
2. Larva.
3. Doll.
4. Imago.

Fertilized eggs mature in about 5 days. Laying and larval development are possible only in moist substrate: on rocks, plants located near bodies of water, or completely submerged. From this moment until the adult emerges, two weeks pass. The timing varies depending on the type of midge.

Female insects feed on blood, which they need to bear their young. Males prefer plant food—they are the ones found on seedlings. However, there are also non-bloodsucking species.

Photo gallery: pests found in houseplants and greenhouses

Reasons for the appearance of insects

Midges appear regardless of the season and reproduce at a high rate.

The reasons why this happens are as follows:

• The soil is waterlogged. As mentioned above, insects prefer moist soil for laying eggs.
• The midges were already in the soil for growing seedlings.
• The organic matter, which had not yet rotted, attracted the gnats.
• Excessive use of soil fertilizers was made.
• The insects entered the apartment simply through an open window.

Gnats are usually found in pots with indoor plants, on tomatoes, eggplants, peppers and other vegetables, the conditions of which attract them.

What harm do midges cause?

Some species of these pests are completely harmless to plants, for example, black ones. Insect larvae, which can damage the roots, pose a great danger.

Whiteflies are the most dangerous—at all stages of development, they feed on plant juices. This weakens the immune system of vegetables and can quickly undo all the hard work of planting and growing them.

Springtails, also known as sminturs, are up to 1 mm in size. They are harmless to plants. Only a specific species—the green smintur—can harm seedlings in greenhouses.

Besides everything else, midges are also dangerous for humans. Females are known to feed on blood, which is why they bite people and animals. Their bites are extremely unpleasant because the insects don't pierce the skin, but rather burrow into it. After the bite, a person experiences itching and burning, and red spots or blisters appear on the body.

In most cases, these skin lesions are easily treated and cause no unpleasant consequences. However, if not treated correctly, the situation may worsen:

• the bodies of children, people prone to allergic reactions, pregnant and breastfeeding women may react to the enzymes injected by midges and provoke the development of allergies;
• If bitten in the eye, there is a risk of vision loss;
• Bite wounds can become infected and fester.

Numerous insect bites can cause nausea, weakness, and dizziness.

Important to remember! It's important to take precautions, and if you experience a reaction to a midge bite, consult a specialist promptly or use a medication, such as Fenistil Gel.

How to control pests on seedlings

Before choosing and using methods to get rid of small insects, let the top layer of soil dry out and then assess the extent of the gnat infestation. If the infestation is small, it can be dealt with. Be sure to separate the affected seedling boxes from the clean ones to prevent the gnats from spreading to healthy plants.

Chemical and folk remedies are used to kill pests. Using them together can achieve more powerful results.

In severe infestations, the soil is changed. To do this, the seedlings are washed and planted in clean soil.

Chemicals

Insecticides against midges and other insects are available in several forms:

1. Aerosols that can be simply sprayed on insects (Dichlorvos, Raptor, Raid).
2. Granules and powders that are poured into the soil, as a result of which the midges die (Grom-2, Karbofos, Aktara).
3. Solutions that are poured into a spray bottle and sprayed on plants (Agravertin, Bazudin, Fitoverm).

Note: When using any insecticide, carefully read the instructions to ensure the desired results are achieved without harming your plants.

The treatment must be carried out using protective equipment (gauze bandage and gloves). Insecticides contain toxic substances, so if used incorrectly or if the product comes into contact with the skin, there is a risk of poisoning or irritation.

Table: Popular remedies for midges

Photo Gallery: Insecticides for Pests

Reviews of drugs

Akarin. Advantages: The working solution is quick to prepare. Can be used to control a variety of pests. Relatively environmentally friendly. Disadvantages: The working solution cannot be stored. Overall Impression: An effective pest control product for gardens and vegetable plots.

Dichlorvos Neo. I always have this product at home. What do I like about it? Firstly, it doesn't have a strong odor; even when sprayed heavily, it's practically unnoticeable. Secondly, it kills everything that crawls and flies, and it does it quickly. It lasts a long time and costs pennies. You don't have to leave the house because it doesn't smell like before.

Grom 2. Pros: Cured my potted plants of soil flies. Cons: I found none. I'm sure experienced indoor gardeners are familiar with Grom 2, but for beginners or inexperienced gardeners, here's a tip: give this product a try.

Folk remedies

Many plant growers choose natural methods to control insects, believing them to be safer than insecticides. Let's look at recipes for the most effective home remedies.

A solution of potassium permanganate will get rid of midges in 2-3 days. Here's how to prepare it:

1. Dissolve a few grains of the product in a liter of water.
2. Stir thoroughly.
3. Water the soil with the solution.

Dandelion juice with red pepper also repels pests. The recipe is simple:

1. Pour 10 liters of boiling water over 1 kg of fresh dandelion leaves and roots.
2. Let it sit for 24 hours.
3. Add 50 g of red pepper.
4. Stir.
5. Spray the soil and the plant itself.

Note: Internet users recommend lubricating the rims of flower pots with Zvezdochka balm.

Celandine is especially effective against black flies. You can prepare an infusion from this plant as follows:

1. Pour 1 liter of boiling water over 300 g of celandine leaves.
2. Let it sit for 24 hours.
3. Boil for 30 minutes.
4. Cool and strain the broth.
5. Dilute in 10 liters of water.
6. Spray the seedlings.
7. Repeat the procedure after 5 days.

Wood ash, sprinkled on the soil, will also help get rid of gnats. A clove of garlic buried in the soil will repel insects. Using the last method, you can sprinkle tobacco dust on the soil.

Photo gallery: Ingredients for making homemade pest control infusions and solutions

Prevention of midges

Once you've gotten rid of the midges, it's important to prevent them from reappearing. To do this, follow these preventative measures:

• Before planting the shoots, warm the existing soil in the microwave. This will kill any larvae present.
• Avoid overwatering and fertilizing plants.
• Loosen the soil in a timely manner.
• Remove fallen leaves.
• Use drainage (dry the soil).
• Buy pots with holes at the bottom to prevent the soil from becoming over-watered.

Video: Preventing the Spread of Insects on Seedlings

Gnats on seedlings won't cause major problems if you start treating them promptly. The key is to follow product instructions and take preventative measures to prevent recurrence.