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Jstall

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Posted Reply with quote  #1 
 I have something that looks like fruit flies, tiny black ants and webs on the top leaves in my greenhouse. What do I need to use to take care of these insects? The flies seem to be in the cups with my cuttings and the tiny ants looking things are on the fig trees. I searched the net and found a site that recommends 2 parts 70% alcohol 1 part water and a couple drops of soap. This is what I sprayed today and it did kill a lot of them. Any more suggestions?
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J.A.

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pitangadiego

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Posted Reply with quote  #2 
Pix?

The "flies" might be fungus gnats.

If the "ants" are kind of spider shaped, I suppose could be spider mites, or I have seen some very small black bugs that move very fast (they will move to the opposite side of a branch if you get you hand near them), which appear on tomato plants some years and look like small spiders but must be some sort of beetle or ?
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rafed

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Posted Reply with quote  #3 
I use the alcohol and water too but I use about 25% alcohol with water.
After it dries up I use Safer brand Garden safe insect soap.
It is non toxic and made with seaweed extract so it will give the seaweed smell that should go away in a short while.

I had an issue with mealy bugs on one of my fig trees about a month or so ago and that method took care of them. To this day I don't see any issues.
I also had an issue on my Jasmines and citrus with the same bugs you described and the method work well on them too.

The premixed bottle costs around $7.99 but for a couple dollars more you can get the non-mixed ( Forgot what it's called ) and two ounces in a spray bottle with water could go a very long way.

In most occasions this product can be used up to one day before harvest.
Jstall

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Posted Reply with quote  #4 
That is what conclusion I came up with, fungus gnats. They seems to hang out in the rooting mix of UPM and Perlite.
 My eyes are not good enough to tell if they look like spiders, they are to small.  They are fast and hide from you as soon as you get near them. The spider looking web in the tops of the fig trees are being made by them, I think.  
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Jstall

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Posted Reply with quote  #5 

The instructions said to use the spray 6 days straight, that sound right Rafed
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rafed

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Posted Reply with quote  #6 

Jstall,

This is what I have done ( on Gardenia and Jasmines and citrus ).

Prune away the infested area before spraying. Discard the leaves, branches that are infested with the webbing and those tiny little bugs. I know it's a little more difficult on fig trees so use a damp towel with alcohol and water and wipe away the webs and then spray the entire tree to the point it is soaked and dripping like it just rained.
Since you have a greenhouse then there is no worry about taking them into the garage and worry about the cold.

Wait a couple of hours so the plant can dry off and then spray the entire plant with the insect soap the same way as you would with the alcohol/water.

Don't forget to wipe and spray around the pot and into the soil.

Follow up with a medium dose after two or three days.
Buy then the problem should be contained and repeat with a light dose of insect soap once every ten days to two weeks. If there is no sings of the pests then there is no need in spraying but wouldn't hurt to do so.

I'm not home that often so I instruct my family members to spray my Jasmines and Citrus at least once a week with water and 10% to 15% alcohol. Two benefits, Keeps the leaves from drying off and to help keep the critters away.

I hope I was able to answer your questions and this info is based on my own personnel experience and others may have their own opinions.

You may also refer to Garden Web and scroll down to Pests and Diseases, There you will find much more info.

Good luck,
Jstall

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Posted Reply with quote  #7 

Thank you Rafed, I will use that treatment starting today.
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