If you’re growing this vegetable in your garden, beware of this crop-destroying pest that leaves plants vulnerable to disease – experts warn there is only one way to stop it
There are few things more rewarding than growing your very own fresh veggies – but be warned, one popular plant attracts a nasty pest. Worse still, it can be difficult to get rid of.
Carrots are one of Britain’s favourite vegetables. They have a distinct earthy, sweet taste and a satisfying crunchy texture – making them perfect for salads, stews, cakes and even juices. Plus, they’re rich in important nutrients like vitamin A and C. It’s little wonder they’re a top choice for those looking to cultivate crops in their garden.
Unfortunately, gardeners have been urged to be cautious when growing the orange root. This is because they are known to attract a pernicious insect known as the carrot fly.
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These small black insects make their first appearance in late spring and bask in warmer temperatures. Which means Britain’s latest hot spell has encouraged them to proliferate faster.
Carrot flies have earned their name due to the fact that their larvae like to feed on (you’ve guessed it) carrot roots. However, they also like to nibble on parsnips and celery if they’re growing nearby.
While adult flies rarely damage carrots themselves, they lay their eggs near carrot patches. Once the larvae hatch, they burrow down into the roots of the carrots in order to feed.
This results in hole-filled, disfigured carrots that are crawling with small cream-coloured maggots. They also leave the vegetable vulnerable to secondary rots.
Fortunately, there is one sure fire way to prevent this pest from taking hold. Greenhouses Direct write: “Carrots…are prone to carrot fly which tunnel down to the root (carrot) so cover them with a fleece or cloche in their early growing period.”
Covering your carrots with a horticultural fleece or fine netting (i.e. a cloche) as soon as they are planted will help prevent an infestation from taking hold. This is because it bars flies from laying their eggs on the soil by your crops.
If using this method, be careful to only remove it for brief periods to weed and water your vegetables. You should also make sure there are absolutely no gaps that larvae can crawl through.
Other tips for preventing a carrot fly infestation include planting crops like onions and leeks alongside your carrots. This is because they dislike the smell of these vegetables and will be deterred.
Equally, you can also sow your carrots slightly later in the year. Since the flies appear around the beginning of May, delaying planting until early summer can help you avoid an infestation.
Another good tip is to harvest carrots promptly by the time autumn comes around. That way you can turn over the soil and allow birds to snap up remaining larvae.