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Talkback: 10 ways to deter carrot root fly
stephaniejane
Posts: 6
in Talkback
What does carrot fly look like?
0
Posts
Hi stephaniejane, they are very small (4-5mm) and look like this:
I have used insect proof netting for the past few years with great success
I have grown my carrots in large containers for the last few years.carrot flies do not attack,if carrots are higher than 18" so I make sure pots are taller than that,have never had any problems.
I think I have been told having garlic nearby helps, not sure if it hides the smell or something like that.
This year I sprinkled chopped - up leek remnants, trimmed chive stalks, and clippings from several mint clumps, all around my three rows of carrots. Turned out to be the best carrots I've grown - hardly a sign of carrot fly on them! Carrot fly can supposedly smell carrots from a mile or more away ( not sure I believe that......? ), and yes, garlic, onions etc. are supposed to hide the carrot smell. The method I used this year cost nothing and seemed to work - give it a try next year!
I doubt if the flies kill each other: I think the idea is that the plants mask each other's smell.
Crucially, it's essential not to spread the smell, notably when thinning - the foliage is damaged and gives off the characteristic smell. Sow thinly, thin carefully and do it on a wet day or water them all when you've finished to damp down the smell.
I grew feverfew around the edges of the carrots this year, and sprinkled chives amongst them to mask the smell. No idea if it worked coz rabbits got the lot
I am using nematodes this year ???? result it's too early to tell.
You can actually see the eggs on the surface of the soil around the tops of your seedlings.What i do is take an old toothbrush & sweep the eggs away from the seedlings & destroy them. Also, another use for your old toothbrush is good for destroying blackfly rather than using your fingers.