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Carrot Root Fly Decoy

• Message 1. 

  Posted by bogus the fungi man (U14705597) on Sunday, 11th September 2011

  There's been many suggestions and anecdotes on how to keep carrot root fly away from your carrot crop: mesh cloches, moth balls, earthing up, smelly sprays: none have really worked for me but this year I have been growing Florence fennel next to my carrots. Each time I've harvest my carrots I've taken a bunch of fennel fronds, scrunched them up in the hands and sprinkled around the carrots. So far, for the first time ever, no root fly. Coincidence? Don't know. Anyone had a similar experience?

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by nanpickle (U14258493) on Monday, 12th September 2011

  Hi bogus, I understand that carrot fly only fly up to 18", so I grow my carrots in a large pot or if in smaller pots, place them up on an old garden table. It has worked for me so far. Nan x

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by bookertoo (U3655866) on Monday, 12th September 2011

  Never heard of or tried that, but it does make sense as they find the carrots by scent, the fennel would thoroughy confuse them. Good for you, wil try that next year. My friend had very good results from fleece just laid over the the top, never removed it till time to harvest, it lifted as the carrots grew, fine fleece so water got in, and light, - good strong carrots with no fly, onions work too, the smell keeps the carrot fly confused, as does the carrots from the onion fly .........

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by farmerSteve (U2644680) on Thursday, 15th September 2011

  fennel is also an umbellifer so would also attract carrot root fly
  I think like all the other ideas apart from fleece it is largely a matter of luck if you get it or not
  commercially pheromone traps are used to tell if the pest is present then spraying is used
  sprays are not neccessary every time

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by londonplantmad (U2392946) on Thursday, 15th September 2011

  I also grow mine in large deep tubs. This way you get very few weeds amongst the carrots and no root fly.

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Barney_pl (U13897738) on Thursday, 15th September 2011

  I've grown carrots in half barrels alongside salad onions and had severe root fly.
  
  I've grown them in troughs, again alongside salad onions, and had severe root fly.
  
  This year, I grew one sowing of Flyaway in a trough that is four feet off the ground, with a trough of salad onions next to it and they have root fly.
  
  So I no longer believe that carrot root fly doesn't fly above 18" from the ground.
  
  Again this year, I grew most of my crop (Flyaway) in a raised veg bed, only 9" high so far (I'm adding height to it this winter). I grew French marigolds in between sowings and most of the crop has been sound, though there has been occasional damage. Each time I brushed against the carrots, either to pull or to weed, I brushed my hand across the marigolds to release their very strong scent.
  
  The only problem was, i mixed up my French marigold seed and used Naughty Marietta, which growns quite tall and bushy instead of the shorter variety, so they took up a lot of space. The bees love them, though, and are still busy in the two rows I've left in, which are still in full flower.

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by cufcskim (U14483815) on Thursday, 15th September 2011

  I use nemasys 'gyo' and have zero carrot fly.

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• Message 8

  , in reply to message 7.

  Posted by Barney_pl (U13897738) on Friday, 16th September 2011

  I use nemasys 'gyo' and have zero carrot fly. 
  
  Thanks! I took a look at that and have ordered some via Amazon for half the price, mostly because it's the right time to treat codling moth and the bumf said it works on that. Because the apple is smallish, it will need a small amount, so hopefully, there will be some left for the carrot fly. I don't know how it comes, so I hope I have that right, cufcskim?

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• Message 9

  , in reply to message 8.

  Posted by cufcskim (U14483815) on Friday, 16th September 2011

  Comes in a little box of white 'fluff'.
  Keep it in the fridge until you're ready to use it.
  
  It depends what beastie you're targeting whether you mix in a watering can or a sprayer.
  
  I used it for targeting root fly and catapillars so generally went with 3/4's in 2 large watering cans and the other 1/4 in the spayer.
  
  

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• Message 10

  , in reply to message 9.

  Posted by Barney_pl (U13897738) on Saturday, 17th September 2011

  Thanks, cifcskim. So am I able to use a part packet and keep the rest till needed? Sorry if I'm sounding thick, but I've never used this stuff before, and as it's expensive for me, dont want to get it wrong!

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• Message 11

  , in reply to message 10.

  Posted by cufcskim (U14483815) on Saturday, 17th September 2011

  No, once opened you've got use it.

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• Message 12

  , in reply to message 11.

  Posted by Barney_pl (U13897738) on Saturday, 17th September 2011

  Ok. Thanks.

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