Several different types of flies produce maggots. They include Blow and Bottle flies, Gravid flies, and Onion and Cabbage flies. Each type of flies has its own unique ways of producing maggots.
Root maggots
Several different species of root maggot flies can cause damage to vegetable plants. The flies lay their eggs in the soil near the roots of the plant, and then the larvae emerge from the soil. Depending on the type of plant, the damage may be extensive. The root maggots will feed on the roots of the plant, causing stunted growth. The damage can be severe and may appear as wilted or yellowed leaves. If the root maggots are severe enough, they may rot the roots of the plant.
The first generation of flies is active during the spring months. Female flies lay 50-200 small white eggs near the stem of the plant. The larvae feed on the roots for 1-3 weeks. After a few weeks, the larvae pupate in the soil near the surface.
Root maggots are especially problematic during cool, wet springs. However, they can be destructive to any type of vegetable crop. If you find signs of a root maggot infestation, remove the plants completely.
Some gardeners can use diatomaceous earth to kill root maggots. This product is applied around the roots of transplants and young seedlings. It must be reapplied after each rain. The best way to prevent root maggots is to improve the soil with fully decomposed humus.
Some gardeners use a floating row cover to prevent root maggots from laying eggs. The cover should be breathable, with a minimum of a six-inch gap between the cover and the plant. It should also be secure, with hoops or a floating row cover.
If the root maggots are severe, the plants may wilt during warm weather. If the plant is severely damaged, the plant should be disposed of. Plants infested with root maggots should not be composted, or burned. However, they can be kept in the garden.
Another way to prevent root maggots is to rotate crops. You can prevent infestations by removing dead vegetation from your garden in the fall. You should also use beneficial nematodes to control the larvae. You can purchase nematodes from Arbico Organics.
The most important natural enemies of root maggots are Staphylinid beetles. These insects prefer to hide inside the roots of the plants. They can attack the larvae as well as the adults.
Blow or bottle fly maggots
Generally speaking, blow or bottle fly maggots come from dead animal carcasses. They are attracted to rotting organic material, including decaying meat and garbage. In addition, they are often found in plants and trees with a rotting meat smell.
The larvae are commonly seen near dead animals and are usually yellow or white in color. They are legless and smooth. They are similar to worms. They feed on decaying organic matter and bacteria. They then pupate in the soil or in the carcass. They will emerge as adult flies within a few days.
They can also be found in the house. They will lay eggs in the garbage or in the feces of dead animals. They can also be found in the vegetable box or vegetable bins. They will lay their eggs on vegetable scraps or meat scraps.
They will lay their eggs on decaying meat or animal feces. The maggots will feed on the meat for about one week before transforming into adults. The puparium will look like a rat dropping or a cockroach egg case.
The blow fly larvae are worm-like and are very soft. The adults are approximately 6 to 16 mm long. They have a hairy back and reddish brown shells.
The adults are also black or blue in color. They can fly with a buzzing sound. Their thorax is nearly black and their abdomen has three elongate oval rings. The posterior margins of the abdominal tergites are bright blue.
The flies can be found in a variety of habitats, including parks, farms, and garbage dumps. They are strong fliers and will be attracted to areas where there is decaying organic matter. They may also be a pollinator for certain plant species. In order to prevent infection, some species will try to clean away dead flesh.
They are found all over the world, including North and South America, Asia, and the Middle East. In some species, they will live in structures for an extended period of time. In addition to their ability to fly, blow flies are known to be disease vectors. They can cause a parasitic disease known as myiasis. If you suspect that you have a blow fly infestation, you can use ready-to-use insecticides to control the problem.
Onion and cabbage maggots
Depending on where you live, you may wonder where onion and cabbage maggots come from. These insects are pests of onion, cruciferous vegetables, and other crops. The larvae feed on roots and other soft tissue. The first generation is the largest and causes most damage. The larvae are small white, legless maggots.
In the United States, these insects are mostly found in the northern United States. They are attracted to damaged onions and other vegetables. The larvae feed inside the plant, where the feeding encourages entry of fungal pathogens. In some cases, a cull of onions may be necessary after harvest to reduce the damage.
The adult female onion fly lays eggs near the base of small onion seedlings. The eggs hatch in a few days. The eggs are small, elongate, and white. Some eggs may be laid in leaf sheaths during dry weather. The larvae feed on the roots and soil at the plant’s base.
The larvae are legless and feed on the roots for three to four weeks. When fully grown, they leave the onion. The adult fly will emerge during the late summer and early fall. The adults will feed for 30 days and lay eggs. In some years, the adults are significant pests of onion.
The adults are cosmopolitan in nature and can be found almost anywhere there is water. They are generally seen in the soil around the base of onions and other onion-related alliums. The adults are almost indistinguishable from house flies. During a fungal epidemic, dead diseased flies can be found on the field edges.
Onion maggots have three generations a year. The first generation flies are most active in the spring. The second generation flies emerge in the summer. The third generation flies emerge in the fall. The damage caused by the first and second generations is relatively limited. However, damage can occur in any stage of development. If you are growing onion, be sure to use protective row covers.
To control onion maggots, you must treat the soil as directed on the label. You may also use organic alternatives to control the pest.
Gravid flies
Those tiny white maggots that appear in your kitchen or in your trash can are the larvae of flies. These are also known as houseflies or drain flies.
Flies are attracted to garbage, food, shelter and water. They tend to lay their eggs on garbage, rotting meat or pet feces. They can lay hundreds of eggs in a single day. In spring, maggots are more common. However, they also appear in summer.
If you have noticed maggots in your home, you need to take some action to kill them. If you have a large infestation, you should contact a professional pest controller. Otherwise, you can try a few home remedies. You can use vinegar, hot water, or citrus juices to kill them. These solutions can kill both maggots and unhatched eggs. If you want to kill them naturally, you can sprinkle diatomaceous earth over the affected area. This kills them by dehydrating the larvae.
You can also remove maggots by washing the affected area with hot water and vinegar. Make sure to clean the affected area thoroughly after the treatment. This is especially important for wet or organic waste.
Another way to kill maggots is by sprinkling diatomaceous earth on your trash. These insects are known to produce methane gas. Using an insecticide to kill them under baseboards or carpeting is also a good option.
The best way to get rid of maggots is by locating and cleaning the source of the infestation. Maggots love to eat rotting food and meat, so you should check your trash. Keeping your food fresh and sealed is also a good way to prevent them from forming an infestation.
If you have a smaller infestation, you can also try spot treatment. This means spraying the infested area with an insecticide and then cleaning it. You should also check for any lumps under your skin. If you are unable to find any, you can get rid of them by washing the area with a cup of bleach.
If you have a problem with maggots, you can try using citronella. This repels flies and kills them naturally.