Fly maggots in veg containers

[Jen3]

Please help I am devastated! I had cucumber seedlings I grew undoors and when i went to repot them I found loads of tiny maggots came to the conclusion they were probably from fungus knats and I had given them too much water so got rid of them and started again! Now I have found my 3 large ccourgettes in containers have the same maggots, as do my 2 potatoe buckets and my peas. I am so upset, please tell me there is something I can do to get rid of these??? I have diamatious earth but guessing this won't get rid of the maggots, just stop flies laying new eggs? Potatoes look good but guess the maggots are just going to eat all the growing potatoes??

[nickdub]

Could you post a photo of the maggots please ?

[Snoop Puss]

Either that or, if you have difficulty posting a photo because you're a new member of the forum, have a look at image four on this website and confirm if they look like that:
Fungus Gnats as Houseplant and Indoor Pests - 5.584 - ExtensionExtension

Hello and welcome, by the way.

[Jen3]

Thank you, just trying to sort a photo! I do think that is what they look like - hopefully photo will confirm. We do have a lot of flies where we live (recently put a fly trap up to try and get the numbers down!) From what I have read on line, my best bet would be to get some nematodes (spelling?) - If I can get them under control would a layer of sand on top of the pot soil help stop the flies laying their eggs again do you think?

[Jen3]

https://imgur.com/a/q89jQ1Y

hopefully link above works! ( the white powder is diamatious earth by the way (not mould/fungus)

[Jen3]

I think they have black heads although they do make me feel a bit ill to look at. But the are white/transparent-ish...

I have them in 3 courgette plants, 2 potato buckets and 2 containers of peas... and found some in the strawberries soil and even in a container with no plant, just a bit of soil.

I filled them all with growbag 'compost'.... So gutted to have found them Everything seems to be growing ok but 2 of the courgettes seem a bit weaker compared to 3rd one.
Really hope I can save them!

[Snoop Puss]

OK, I can see the larvae in the photo. Not sure if they really are fungus gnats, as they look a bit dark. That's if I am actually looking at larvae.

Let's wait for someone else who has actually seen fungus gnats in the flesh to comment.

Meanwhile, I've found this website, which gives a range of possible solutions:
https://www.smallfootprintfamily.com...ts-organically

[nickdub]

https://imgur.com/a/q89jQ1Y

hopefully link above works! ( the white powder is diamatious earth by the way (not mould/fungus)

Thanks for that - I can't confirm what they are as I'm not sure myslef - hopefully someone else will be able to id them.

As a precaution I'd wash the roots of the cucumber seedlings off in a tub of water before potting them up in some fresh compost and then be careful not to over-water them.

Not too sure about your other plants - hopefully they'll be strong enough to grow past the problem, though once the pest is known, further action might be a possible.

[Jen3]

thanks for your replies. I feel 99% confident they are some sort of fly maggots (if not sciarid/fungus knats) I have ordered some nematodes that cover a large range of pests so planning on using that and then putting some sand to cover the top of the soil. all plants affected are well established but got a feeling this will not turn out well for potatoes. As far as I'm aware no problems yet in greenhouse and i have been using diamatious earth and fly paper so fingers crossed. thanks all for your imput!