Senecio rowleyanus Tiny Black Flies - Causes & Fixes

Jump to cause: Fungus Gnats Excessive Soil Moisture Decaying Organic Matter (Root Rot)

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Fungus Gnats

The presence of tiny black flies in a String of Pearls is almost always due to fungus gnats, which lay eggs in moist organic matter. Their larvae feed on decaying plant material and can damage the delicate root system of your Senecio.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Set up a yellow sticky trap near the soil surface to confirm if small flying insects are being attracted to it.

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1 Deploy yellow sticky traps to capture the adult flying gnats and break the breeding cycle.

Super Ninja Fungus Gnat Traps - 30 Pack

30 pcs

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2 Allow the soil to dry out significantly between waterings, as fungus gnats thrive in consistently moist organic matter.

GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter - Blue

Water Meters

$12

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3 Top-dress the soil with a layer of horticultural perlite to create a dry barrier that prevents gnats from reaching the soil surface to lay eggs.

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Excessive Soil Moisture

Fungus gnat populations explode when the substrate remains damp for too long. For a succulent like Senecio rowleyanus, frequent watering prevents the soil from drying out, creating a perfect breeding ground for these flies.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Stick your finger two inches into the soil to check if it is still damp despite being watered only recently.

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1 Reduce watering frequency and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to disrupt the fungus gnat life cycle.

GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter SMM-V3

Water Meters

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2 Apply yellow sticky traps near the soil surface to capture adult flies and prevent further breeding.

Super Ninja Fungus Gnat Traps - 30 Pack

30 pcs

$7

In Stock

3 Repot the plant in a well-draining succulent mix, incorporating perlite to improve aeration and prevent future moisture retention.

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Decaying Organic Matter (Root Rot)

If the pearls are turning yellow or mushy, the flies may be attracted to the decaying tissue of rotting roots. This creates a nutrient-rich environment for larvae to thrive within the pot.

Common

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How to confirm: Gently lift the plant from its pot to inspect if the lower stems or roots feel slimy or look dark brown.

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1 Immediately remove the plant from its current soil and inspect the roots for mushy, dark, or foul-smelling decay; trim away all rot using sterilized tools.

2 Repot the plant in a fresh, well-draining medium like a mix containing perlite to ensure aeration and prevent future rot.

3 Deploy yellow sticky traps near the soil surface to capture the adult flies and disrupt their breeding cycle.

Super Ninja Fungus Gnat Traps - 30 Pack

30 pcs

$7

In Stock