Bin carrot seedlings if root fly larvae found?

MisseyB · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 04 Aug 2009 Posts: 42

I was thinning out my carrot seedlings today and i found quite a few thin white larvae in the vicinty. I'm wondering if it's carrot root fly and if so should i just clear the area of all seedlings and try again next year?

Thanks in advance

sirpsycho · Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 8:38 am Post subject:

Do you have your carrots covered in fine netting like enviromesh? If not, then you are in trouble - sorry!

Anyone growing carrots should get down to their local hardware shop and buy four 16foot lengths of 2x1, a box of screws and some fine netting from Woodies and make these:
http://www.gardenplansireland.com/forum/files/img_1611_714.jpg

MisseyB · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 04 Aug 2009 Posts: 42

i know i should have netted them but never got around to it. If i bin these seedlings do you think i'll be okay to plant next year?

sirpsycho · Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 2:30 pm Post subject:

I'm not going to say dig up all your existing carrots but it's not too late to sow more now...

MisseyB · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 04 Aug 2009 Posts: 42

Oh, i thought if the larvae where in the ground i was scuppered. I didn't realise that if i plant in a different area i could do another crop. Thanks for advice.

tunnelsofhens10 · Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 5:39 pm Post subject:

Hi MisseyB, I always plant onions each side of my carrots, seems to deter carrot fly, always works for me. try not to sqeeze the tops when thinning as carrot fly get the scent from half a mile away. You could also try a fleece barrier (Around two and a half ft. high) around the carrots. (carrot fly is not supposed to fly more than 2ft high) Although, they seem to get through walls,hedges,weeds ect 6ft high. Ahhhh, the joys of battle in the garden!.

nibbler · Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 7:26 pm Post subject:

I agree with sirpsycho, it's not too late to sow more. I usually have to re-sow carrots in June owing to slug losses and I always get a nice crop. On the subject of netting, if you live near Dublin (or Belfast) you could pick up these (http://www.ikea.com/ie/en/catalog/products/10070262/). Very fine netting and cheap like the budgie.

My Potatoes

MisseyB · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 04 Aug 2009 Posts: 42

thank to everyone for taking the time to answer my post. I'm pretty confident that it's carrot root fly larvae. I check in a book i have and they look identical.

i think i might just plant more and net those. seems to be the best plan. Thanks again.