Zantedeschia Cantor Tiny Black Flies - Causes & Fixes

search Possible Causes

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Fungus Gnats

These small flies breed in the moist organic matter of the potting soil. Their larvae feed on the fine root hairs of your Calla Lily, which can lead to stunted growth and yellowing leaves.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Place a yellow sticky trap near the base of the plant to confirm the presence of flying adults.

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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

In Stock

2 Allow the top inch of soil to dry out completely between waterings to disrupt the larvae's moist breeding environment.

GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter - Blue

Water Meters

$12

In Stock

3 Apply a biological control or organic insecticide to target the larvae in the soil.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

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Excessive Soil Moisture

Calla Lilies require consistent moisture but are highly susceptible to root rot if the substrate stays saturated. Constant wetness creates the perfect breeding ground for fungus gnat larvae and other soil-dwelling insects.

Very Common

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How to confirm: Stick your finger two inches into the soil to see if it remains damp long after a scheduled watering.

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shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Reduce watering frequency and allow the top inch of soil to dry out completely before watering again to disrupt the fungus gnat breeding cycle.

GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter SMM-V3

Water Meters

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2 Apply a biological control like Neem Oil or a specialized spray to eliminate adult flies and larvae.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

3 Repot the plant in a well-draining medium, incorporating perlite to improve aeration and prevent future soil saturation.

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Decaying Organic Matter

As Calla Lily rhizomes or older leaves decay, they release gases and nutrients that attract flies. If the 'Cantor' cultivar has old, collapsed foliage, it may be acting as an attractant for pests.

Common

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How to confirm: Inspect the base of the plant and the soil surface for any decomposing leaf debris or mushy rhizomes.

build How to fix it

shopping_cart Recommended Products

1 Remove and discard all decaying leaves, collapsed foliage, and any rotting organic matter from the pot to eliminate the breeding source.

2 Apply an organic insecticide spray to target the adult flies and larvae, such as Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil, to control the infestation.

Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz

0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic

$10

In Stock

3 Repot the plant in fresh, well-draining potting soil to replace the decaying substrate and prevent future attraction of pests.