Some little bugs have invaded the Peace Lily. They are small no-seeums like fruit flies or gnats. They don't bite, but are very annoying as they dive bomb at your face. Albert had recommended treating the plant weekly with Neem Oil. Neem Oil is a safe pesticide used on plants that reduces or kills pests. I've been treating the Lily once a week and the number of bugs has decreased but there are still some around.
Besides using the Neem oil, I've also found the bugs are attracted to my tea. They must like the Stevia I use to sweeten it.
I left my teacup out overnight and caught 8 of the little bas buggers. The method may not be high tech, but it is effective. I just have to remember to look into the teacup before I take a sip if it's been sitting for a bit. No flies on me.
Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth’s blog to find out what the rest of the T gang is up to. If you want to play, include a beverage or beverage container in your post. Don’t forget to link your blog from Bleubeard and Elizabeth’s page.
So glad you are getting those pesky flies under control and I had to laugh about how you used your tea to catch them too 😁. Happy T Day wishes! Hugs Jo x
ReplyDeleteIt really works. I left my night time cup of tea out and there were another 9 bodies floating in it this morning.
DeleteWhat a clever way to catch those little (BAS) buggers. Sometimes low tech is the right tech! Thanks for sharing this really clever and hilarious drink with us for T this Tuesday, CJ. I am still laughing!
ReplyDeleteLow tech is working better than the Neem oil
DeleteYou are very loyal to your plant -- I would simply leave it outdoors and end both it and the flies. I guess I have a different sort of flies on me.
ReplyDeletebest... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
I'd probably do that, but this plant belonged to the Eldest. It was her desk buddy when she worked at a call center. She wasn't able to take it with her when she moved to PA so I've been taking care of it.
DeleteI love low tech options too-hope you get them all
ReplyDeleteHappy T
it’s amazing how well the tea works
DeleteThose pesky plant bugs are tough to get sometimes. I like the tea cup method. Neem oil too. Sometimes (and check this before you do it) I've tried wiping down the leaves with a bit of dish soap and water, but I don't have a peace lily so I'm not sure if you can do that trick or not. Have a happy T day and bundle up tomorrow. Brrrr. What a tough month it has been. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteAnd it’s going to end with a bang, at least down here
DeleteSounds like fungus gnats, maybe? I escaped the plague this year, but some years they're a real pain. I hope your good-riddence plan works :)
ReplyDeleteHappy T Tuesday!
I didn’t know what they were so now will go see what will get rid of them
DeleteWhat a fun post! Glad you got the little Bs. Happy T Day! Valerie
ReplyDeleteMe, too! 😸
DeleteI have those pesky flies at the moment too. I hate when they dive bomb up my nose!
ReplyDeleteThat’s the pits!
DeleteI HATE those! They come at us at night while we're watching TV! I imagine if the neighbors are looking in at us through the sliders we must look like lunatics as we swat at them in front of our faces! HAHAHAHAHA
ReplyDeleteif you neighbors ask, you can tell them you’re practicing Kung Fu 😺
DeleteLittle ba--beggars. Haha.
ReplyDeleteAnd speaking of tea...I ran out and had to order some more. I'm hooked on the hot spice. You've turned me into a tea addict. Hehe.
I found it at Target!
Deletego ahead and say it ...I do all the time
ReplyDeletebass terds ~~~~ ;) ♥♥☺☺
😺
DeleteAny of those tiny things are the most annoying!! We tend to get the fruit flies so when I do see even one I put out a tiny saucer with a mix of dawn dish soap and red wine- works like a charm:)
ReplyDeleteHopefully now you won't have one more bug in your tea. Happy T day!
I think they’re breeding. I left a tea out overnight and caught another 8
DeleteTea - or any beverage - with no-seeums is disgusting. Be careful when you take a sip. Neem Oil is indeed pretty good, I sometimes (about once or twice a year) use it on my roses when the aphids hang out there and devour the new growth.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I need to use the Neem oil more than once a week
DeleteHAHA, that's funny that they love your tea. I read that fungas gnats are easy to catch because they are too lazy to try and escape from any kind of liquid. I have had this problem more times than I can count. In fact, I still have some but I am not sure what plant they have infested. I have tried Neem oil and hydrogen peroxide, but it never fixes my problem. So far, re-potting is the only thing that has worked for me.
ReplyDeleteHappy Tea Day,
Kate
Repotting will have to wait until the temperature at least reaches my age.
DeleteThe old ways usually work as well as high tech, and are usually cheaper, too. Happy T Day.
ReplyDeleteAnd one thing works in two ways. Tea for me and death for the bugs
DeleteSorry, but this made me laugh and sure as hell I take looks before sips now, too!
ReplyDeleteMy Brother had a similar problem. The cat likely brought in some bugs, very, very small and they were everywhere, a lot of work!
Yup, I take a peek in the cup before I take a sip
DeleteOhhh those flies are such a pain. T is a good way to catch some of them. Have a great day today.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how effective tea is for catching insects
Delete