Little black bugs at windowsills
#1
02-08-15, 10:06 AM
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Little black bugs at windowsills
We have small mostly dead black bugs that have been appearing throughout the day and night at the windowsills of our first floor house. All windows closed. We have a few plants in the house but check and nothing there, no standing water. These bugs look like gnats maybe? Tried using a bleach solution for a few days and raid. But they keep reappearing. We had a live Christmas tree in early January and maybe they came in with the tree. But thought they would be gone by now. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
#3
02-09-15, 12:49 PM
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Sorry, I took a picture yesterday and was about to post it when we realized it WAS two big plants after all. Unfortunately, two potted fig plants we brought in for the winter had a bunch of small bugs in the soil. Had to put them outside yesterday and bug problem went away right away. Good for us - bad for the figs. Waiting on a bag I ordered to cover them up so they don't die. Thank you for the response!
#5
02-09-15, 02:13 PM
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Sounds like fungus gnats most likely. Very common with pre-potted plants and even potting soil you buy in stores. I have started cooking any potting soil in the oven and plants stay in the garage for at least a week.
You might want to order a product called Gnat-trol(?)...it works very well if you follow the instructions.
You might want to order a product called Gnat-trol(?)...it works very well if you follow the instructions.
#6
02-09-15, 05:50 PM
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#7
02-09-15, 06:11 PM
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No, won't hurt the plant, they just put larvae in the soil and then they hatch out when you bring it inside again. The Gnat-trol will control it, but it takes several weeks.
Used to be a liquid, but I think now it's granules that you mix with water and drench the soil every few days.
It's sold on Amazon and possibly at local garden stores. They use it in greenhouses. I get mine on Amazon from a big supply place in CA.
Are those plants going to make it outside? Aren't you guys getting clobbered with cold and snow?
Used to be a liquid, but I think now it's granules that you mix with water and drench the soil every few days.
It's sold on Amazon and possibly at local garden stores. They use it in greenhouses. I get mine on Amazon from a big supply place in CA.
Are those plants going to make it outside? Aren't you guys getting clobbered with cold and snow?
#8
02-10-15, 05:41 AM
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We're in Philly and it's not too bad here - no snow, just cold. i covered up the roots and the tops of the plants. Hoping they survive the winter. The bugs are too much to deal with at the moment. Since the trees grow figs which we eat, is Gnat-trol a natural substance or something we shouldn't be adding if we plan on eating the fruit?
As these plants get bigger each year, I really don't want to bring them in for the winter, so hopefully covering them during the winter will be enough.
As these plants get bigger each year, I really don't want to bring them in for the winter, so hopefully covering them during the winter will be enough.
#9
02-10-15, 07:52 AM
Super Moderator
It's completely safe to use. It's a type of bacillus thuringiensis bacteria that kills the gnats. No chemicals and won't be absorbed by the plant. Even if it was, it won't affect the fruit or anyone who ate the fruit.
