Total Infestation-Fruit Flies?

It happened in 2 days. I suspect fruit flies. My idiot roommates let fruit ripe and rot in the kitchen, near my seedlings. I then noticed they were landing on the seedlings and hovering around. And not many....just a few.

I neemed them, then put them in my growroom. For 3 weeks-no problems. Then, all of a sudden-this. All plants, some in flowering are infested from bottom to top. Last night I filled up the bathtub with soapy water. I then dunked every plant into the tub.

I don't think it got them all. I see these little specks moving around under the leaves. Here's what I didn't do; when I moved the seedlings into my growroom, I didn't neem the UNDERSIDE of the seedlings. My guess is the eggs remained dormant and the BOOM, total infestation. Funny thing is....I don't see any of these bugs flying around. Just maybe one or two buzzing around.

I suspect fruit flies. But I am open to ideas. I'm looking at a complete loss of my grow. And I'm pretty damned depressed about it.

Those look like aphids to me..My guess is that is wasnt your friend fault and that fruit...My guess is that the flying critters were in fact aphids as well...
Give them a good spraysown in the baxk yard or over the tub to try to get as many off as possible..Focus on flipping the plant upside down to get the underside of the leaves..once they dry a bit give them a light spray with diluted neem..dont spray neem if flowering

MrToad69 said:

Those look like aphids to me..My guess is that is wasnt your friend fault and that fruit...My guess is that the flying critters were in fact aphids as well...
Give them a good spraysown in the baxk yard or over the tub to try to get as many off as possible..Focus on flipping the plant upside down to get the underside of the leaves..once they dry a bit give them a light spray with diluted neem..dont spray neem if flowering

Click to expand...

Thank you for your thoughts. My first time dealing with aphids. And dang, 2 of the big plants are into 4th week of flowering, so no neem for them. In fact, the flowering plants are more infested than the ones in veg.

I'm wondering how I got aphids...this was an indoor grow from the very start. Thank you again.

Yup, I believe you're absolutely right Mr. Toad. I did some research and yes, aphids they are. Now, how to get rid of them on my budding plants....fuck!

Looks like white aphids.

Renfro said:

Looks like white aphids.

Click to expand...

Yup, now what to do with the aphids on a flowering plant. I'm into week 4 of flowering. I think I'm fucked.

Topo said:

Yup, now what to do with the aphids on a flowering plant. I'm into week 4 of flowering. I think I'm fucked.

Click to expand...

Pretty much with an infastation that large the only thing that stands a chance IMO is imidicloprid or acephate.

You should do some research and see how late in flower you can apply the acephate as I have heard 4 weeks from harvest and you are still ok to use it. I have also heard 3 weeks. Not sure tho.

Also there is a brand of acephate thats not as expensive as the orthene but I forgot it's name.

BTW the stuff reeks lol. You'll see if you get it.

I'd try Marrone Bio Grandevo. Expensive as hell but organic. Good luck

Wow, great responses, thank you everyone. It looks like I'm going to the grow shop tomorrow.

Here is where I'm at in flowering...

Well..you have some options...

Perhaps a very mild mix of Sunlight liquid dish soap and a
Light spray, which can be used to dry out the little soft bodied critters..can repeat for a few days..intention of wish would be to give the plant a good spray down once bugs are dead..(primarily under leaves, but get tops and bottom..you want to contact the aphids).you'll want
Lower relative humidity because as the buds begin to tighten up you have to warch for mold...
Other option, try to manage bugs..aggressibely hose them off daily...then decarb and soak buds in Everclear to extract the resin...
Last, assuming the bud is for just for you ..smoke dried cannabis as usual with a few
of the dead critters in it like many have done with outdoor weed in the past..Some say aphids can carry disease, but I believe if anything, mostly that would affect plants from there sugary excretions.

Thanks dude for your input. I'm not sure what my humidity is, but it's always very low here in Colorado.

Topo said:

Wow, great responses, thank you everyone. It looks like I'm going to the grow shop tomorrow.

Click to expand...

Oh dear, that could be good or bad. I seriously doubt they have Grandevo, let me know. I'm curious. Best of luck.

Anyone have a theory of where these aphids could have come from? They (the plants) have been in the house from day one. Could it have been from a bag of Fox Farm soil that was left outside? Could it come from carpet? I wanna pinpoint this so I can start my next grow, but if this keeps coming back, what's the point, right?

Topo said:

Could it have been from a bag of Fox Farm soil that was left outside?

Click to expand...

Possibly, coulda even been in the bag when you bought it. Coulda came in on you.

If you can, take the water hose and gently spray the bottom of the leaves, knocking them off. It's a balanced not too hard, not too soft

Mature aphids often have wings and are mobile..Very common insect particularly in the mid-late summer to feed on sweet fragrant garden plants.

I just read this:
"Can I use vinegar to kill aphids?
Get out a spray bottle and fill it 1/3 of the way with distilled white vinegar and the rest of the way with water. This will kill the aphids and larvae on contact. Place a square of aluminum foil around the base of plants affected by aphids. ... It is also good for the plants, as it brings them more natural sunlight."

jcurtis912 said:

If you can, take the water hose and gently spray the bottom of the leaves, knocking them off. It's a balanced not too hard, not too soft

Click to expand...

It's certainly worth a try, thanks!