Root aphids / phylloxera

Budddha

Well-Known Member
I didn't have time to veg plants for summer like I usually do. Long story in short... I picked up plants from a friend of a friend... checked all the leaves for sap, poop, bugs, mold and bite marks. They were clean up top. I took the plants home and placed them on the ground. The soil was dry so I watered. Tons of little mother fuckers started crawling out of the dirt. My stomach dropped... I knew they were not fungus gnats right away. Some bugs crawled out of the bottom and ran off... I've never seen these in 15 years. I've heard stories, but had never experienced them.

I treated with spectracide at night and let them soak for 3-4 hours. It killed a bunch like everyone always says. It's been 3 days. I treated with bayer tree and shrub at night and let them sit for 20 minutes. I also added neem meal and de to the top soil. I haven't seen any crawlers after digging into the soil and the plants look as good as can be after getting hit with pesticides. BUT I do see fliers they're smaller and faster than fungus gnats. They're outside in an extra res.

My question is has anyone had real experience really getting rid of these guys using spectracide and bayer tree and shrub? I have plenty of time to let it degrade so I'm not too worried about the nuke sauce. And do these things live and thrive in lawns? If I can't shake them I'm not going to plant these for my summer med garden and I'm gonna have to get back on my pills if I can't grow my own. I'm planning on scrapping toss my whole vegetable garden too because of this. Am I doing too much? Too little. Are these things going to be in my yard forever?

I'm sure anyone who has dealt with these remembers how it felt. Anyone with experience please chime in. I've spent the last few days reading everything I can find. I've learned a lot. But am I screwed with out spending the money on other treatments? I've read about some 500-600 dollar treatments but I cannot afford those; am I sol. Any help would be appreciated.
 
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Budddha

Well-Known Member
I was able to find a carcass. Can anyone Id that these are root aphids. I see the double wings, which I thought was a trait that the ra fliers had. All the fungus gnats I've seen where shorter fatter and a bit fuzzy. IMG_0045.JPGIMG_0044.JPG

Anyone? Help pls before I start pulling my hair out.
 
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