Flies around your mushroom culture
Small, dark, midge-like flies around your culture are usually fungus gnats (sciarids). Their larvae eat mycelium and carry other contaminations. Seal the culture better, avoid pools of water and hang up yellow sticky traps.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension · BP-03North Spore (VS), auteur Will Broussard · BP-04Fungus gnats are attracted to moist, organic material. They get in through open windows or with soil, compost or straw that has not been treated.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension · BP-03North Spore (VS), auteur Will Broussard · BP-04Fungus gnat or fruit fly?
They are about the same size and not always easy to tell apart. Fungus gnats are darker and more midge-like, with longer legs. Fruit flies are rounder and mainly come to fermented material, such as coffee grounds.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension · BP-03North Spore (VS), auteur Will Broussard · BP-04What do you do?
Put fine mesh over air openings and close lids tightly. Mop up spilled water immediately. Hang yellow sticky traps to monitor and reduce the adult flies. Look for the source: it is often another block that is already contaminated or untreated material nearby.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension · BP-03North Spore (VS), auteur Will Broussard · BP-04Do you have to throw the harvest away?
Not because of the flies alone. If you do see larvae damaging the mycelium or the mushrooms, throw the block away.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension · BP-03North Spore (VS), auteur Will Broussard · BP-04Source
- Fungus Gnats (Home and Garden IPM fact sheet) — University of Maine Cooperative Extension
- Common Contamination in Mushroom Cultivation — North Spore (VS), auteur Will Broussard
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This is general growing information from the sources listed. Always follow the instructions of your kit or supplier. Only eat what demonstrably grows from your own culture of the bought, named species; if in doubt about colour, smell or shape, do not eat it.
Pick your species and your space; the tool shows what fits, with sources. No account needed.