What is this nasty little critter?

[astrid]

Hey guys!

I think the month of keeping a recovering psychopsis backbulb in wet sphagnum moss has provided ample time for unwanted guests to start squatting in my flower pot!!

I found this guy as well as some kind of small tiny mite crawling around. This bug I flicked out of the plant is like a little worm or maggot. Where did he even come from??

I promptly sprayed with insecticide/fungicide/miticide and got new moss, and I hope that will fix the problem.

Let me know what this little nasty is! Oh, and pardon my dusty windowsill. Who knew zooming in this much would reveal such mess!

[astrid]

I promise I did not just take a picture of my booger and upload it.

[MrHappyRotter]

It is a maggot. Most likely from a fungus gnat. If you're using moss and/or organic fertilizers, then you're basically putting up a huge sign that says "Visitors welcome".

No worries, though, the spiders keep the gnats at bay.

[My Green Pets]

Fungus gnats do seem to be par for the course when growing moisture-loving plants indoors. You can try:

flypaper
BTI
butterworts
pesticides

It will require regular treatment and constant vigilance for weeks to get rid of them entirely. And every new plant you bring in will almost surely bring a new wave with it.

Good news is that they are harmless; just annoying.

[astrid]

Originally Posted by CambriaWhat

Fungus gnats do seem to be par for the course when growing moisture-loving plants indoors. You can try:

flypaper
BTI
butterworts
pesticides

It will require regular treatment and constant vigilance for weeks to get rid of them entirely. And every new plant you bring in will almost surely bring a new wave with it.

Good news is that they are harmless; just annoying.

Oh. Gross.
Lol I hate them. They guest starred in one of my orchid videos I made today... ugh!! They're very "friendly" and like to fly all around up close to me sometimes and eugghhh haha

As long as it's a fungus gnat maggot, I guess that's not too bad. Thanks!

[gngrhill]

I have had pretty good luck controlling fungus gnats by floating a Mosquito dunk in my water container in the water I use for watering. Kills the larvae before they can hatch.

[astrid]

Originally Posted by gngrhill

I have had pretty good luck controlling fungus gnats by floating a Mosquito dunk in my water container in the water I use for watering. Kills the larvae before they can hatch.

Oh what a wonderful tip! I looked those up and they look great! I will have to try it.

How long do you float the dunk in the water?
I am gonna have to make a youtube video about this... wonder if it works on those nasty little drain flies that sometimes pop up in my dorm...

[maelstrom mike]

Originally Posted by gngrhill

I have had pretty good luck controlling fungus gnats by floating a Mosquito dunk in my water container in the water I use for watering. Kills the larvae before they can hatch.

D'oh! Why have I never thought of this?! Does it affect your orchids in any way?

[Stray59]

As CambriaWhat suggested, a butterwort, such Pinguicula Elizabethiae, is great at catching gnats and other flying no-see-ums, plus they bloom! P. Elizabethiae has a bright, fuschia/pink bloom that is really nice. The dunks sound good and probably work great, but you may also want to check these out as an option, also. I have had people tell me they work really well, though I have not needed one myself for some odd reason!
Now watch - the gnats probably will read this and start swarming my terrariums and tanks!
Just another suggestion!

[gngrhill]

Originally Posted by astrid

Oh what a wonderful tip! I looked those up and they look great! I will have to try it.

How long do you float the dunk in the water?
I am gonna have to make a youtube video about this... wonder if it works on those nasty little drain flies that sometimes pop up in my dorm...

I leave the dunks in the water until they really start to break apart. Then I fish the pieces out. You can leave them in the water, ( I mix my water in 5 gallon pails ) and just add more water as you need it. It doesn't harm the orchids in any way and you can add fertilizer or other supplements without a problem