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House plants - tiny black flies

Sam80Sam80 Posts: 40
in Problem solving
Hello

I’ve got around 8 plants in my bathroom (mostly ferns) and upon returning from a week away discovered lots of tiny dead black flies everywhere. I’ve cleared them up but they are reappearing. Any ideas on how I can locate the source and get rid of them. I’ve spotted the odd one alive. They’re so small it’s hard to see what they look like. Any suggestions hugely appreciated. Thank you 

Posts

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Fungus gnats ... they breed in wet compost ... lots of info here https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=804

    😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Sam80Sam80 Posts: 40
    @Dovefromabove thank you so much! I think I over watered a little due to going away. I'll follow the advice on the link. Much appreciated 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    No probs. We all get them from time to time. Annoying little blighters 😉 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Rosebud99Rosebud99 Posts: 1
    Hi, I have the same problem I am at my wits end with these black flies. I have done everything even changed my soil to organic, john Innes, lots of grit and sand mixed in but still there. HELACONIA, taro root etc I have 12 plants round the house all have brown leaves from being dry. I am frightened to water incase the plants are covered with the flies.
  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    Try using yellow sticky fly traps. They can reduce the numbers quite a bit.
  • dappledshadedappledshade Posts: 1,017
    edited November 2020
    That’s a good idea Ceres. I use them outside, but never thought of using them indoors!
    Water plants from the tray beneath the pot ALWAYS, after having changed the soil (for a bad infestation- though be aware that occasionally fungus knats come in via new compost), then top dress with grit so they can’t access the top of the soil anyway.
    I also stick my pot plants in the bath tub once a month and shower them down, to remove dust.
    Ive managed to stave off the knats for a while now, but my current bugbear is woolly aphids that came in on a money plant being looked after by my BIL. He knew his plants were rife with it, but forgot to tell me 🙄
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