[mkhenry]

Not gone yet.Rain and mist stopped play. :? So time for a couple of timely hints.This tip about carrot fly sounds so daft I almost did not post it,but its true and it works....................If you suspect that the dreaded fly has got past your defences,your netting and smell diversions,and is living within your carrot fortress.Then..............Place some bits of mirror along and between your rows of growing plants .The idea is that the female carrot fly will see her own reflection and charge at it knocking herself out :shock: ........Then you come along and remove her .............I know you think I am kidding but I swear its true,give it a go and lets us all know the results. :?

[Aunt Sally]

Do you do that one Hernry  :shock:

[mkhenry]

Do you do that one Hernry  :shock:

No I have never needed to because I grow all my carrots in dust bins sown in a spiral.The sun sorts them out so that they grow first on the outside then as you pick them this allows the inner ones some sun.The carrot fly can not fly that high,so no problem. ........... But I have spoken to people who have used this method and it is very well known,and is based on fact. I have also read it in at least three  books.I will try to remember which. :shock:........I know its sounds daft but give it a try.

[GrannieAnnie]

Hey, I like the spiral idea!!!!  not sure about the mirror though!  How big is a carrot fly?  can you see them with the naked eye?  I've never seen one, but must protect my carrots, I've got 9 rows on the ground now as bath is full!!

[mkhenry]

Hey, I like the spiral idea!!!!  not sure about the mirror though!  How big is a carrot fly?  can you see them with the naked eye?  I've never seen one, but must protect my carrots, I've got 9 rows on the ground now as bath is full!!

Once you have seen one you will not forget it.They are about 1/4" long they have a reddish head orange legs see through wings and a very shiny black body.Their larva looks like a magot is a little larger and a cream colour.Lets hope you don"t get to meet too many of them.

[WG.]

... and the head has a distinctive flattened shape from having had too many collisions with mirrors ...  

[mkhenry]

... and the head has a distinctive flattened shape from having had too many collisions with mirrors ...  

     

[GrannieAnnie]

     thanks Henry, I'll be on my guard.

[ziggywigs]

Would CD's do the same as they are reflective too?

[Aidy]

Not reflective enough Ithink Ziggy, try looking at yourself in one and you really only see pretty rainbows.

[mkhenry]

Would CD's do the same as they are reflective too?

Aidy is correct it must be good enough to see a clear reflection.

[DD.]

Not reflective enough Ithink Ziggy, try looking at yourself in one and you really only see pretty rainbows.

That's better than seeing meself!!

[WG.]

From what I understand, the carrot root fly is dumb enough to be confused by ...

the blue colour of Nigella
the smell of dill / garlic / onions / shallots
the presence of a mirror in which to admire itself
a raised bed of more than 2ft

I thought it easier therefore to simply put up a sign on the garden gate saying, "No carrots in here mate, try next door".  ... in blue letters of course.

[mkhenry]

From what I understand, the carrot root fly is dumb enough to be confused by ...

the blue colour of Nigella
the smell of dill / garlic / onions / shallots
the presence of a mirror in which to admire itself
a raised bed of more than 2ft

I thought it easier therefore to simply put up a sign on the garden gate saying, "No carrots in here mate, try next door".  ... in blue letters of course.

You have only covered part of the list,but round about harvest time some people will wish that they had done everything on the list to stop this horrid little pest.

[mkhenry]

Would CD's do the same as they are reflective too?

Aidy is correct it must be good enough to see a clear reflection.

Mind you I have this vision of a shiny black orange legged red headed bug looking down and asking does my bum look big in this :shock: