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Bugs in (dry) soil

courtneypclarkcourtneypclark Posts: 1
in Problem solving
Last summer I developed a real problem with bugs in my soil - they began to get everywhere and we were constantly swatting away at them especially in the house. I did lots of research and concluded that they were fungus gnats. So I tried everything to get rid of them and eventually let my plants die at the end of the season because there was just no solution. 

I've started plants again from seed this year and opened up a leftover bag of soil leftover from last year. There were bugs EVERYWHERE! But the thing is, the bag of soil was bone dry. So could it still be fungus gnats?? They look exactly the same as pictures but didn't think they would survive in totally dry compost. It had also been sub 0 temperatures (in London, UK) over the winter so figured that would help kill off bugs. But it could explain why nothing was working to get rid of them, though I do think they are quite a pesky bug to get rid of. 

Really appreciate any feedback on whether they could still be fungus gnats, tips, similar experiences. Thank you so much! 

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    They may not be fungus gnats if they're in dry compost.  Even if they are, they don't do any harm, according to the RHS, but can be a nuisance indoors.

    Have a read of this info and check the photos, solutions and links -
    https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=804 
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Was it Melcourt compost out of interest? I had a couple of bags of infested compost last year and ended up with a plague of fungus gnats over the winter. Maybe the rush to get extra compost sent out due to the covid gardening boom meant a few batches weren't treated properly? The grubs don't like dry compost but the flies will live in a bag of dry compost quite happily.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    We had similar problems many years ago but as we grow insectivorous plants this soon became a non issue.
    Sundews and butterworts are great at attracking the small insects and they are then stuck onto the leaves of the plants.
    Larger insects fall into the traps of the pitcher plants.
    Great plants.
  • SueAtooSueAtoo Posts: 380
    I think there are probably nematodes for scared flies or fungus gnats. Love the idea of carnivorous plants though, I have a pitcher plant growing at the edge of my pond, in shallow water, to deal with mosquitoes. Seems to have come through the winter ok.
    East Dorset, new (to me) rather neglected garden.
  • delskidelski Posts: 274
    Apparently if you cover the surface of your houseplant compost with gravel then it makes it difficult for the flies to get out.
  • StephenSouthwestStephenSouthwest Posts: 635
    I had them in Melcourt compost. I found that a few days of twice daily hand held hoover fly hunting got rid of them.
  • Blue OnionBlue Onion Posts: 2,995
    I get rid of them using the yellow sticky traps.  I place it along the top rim of the pots so they fly up directly into it.  I just cut it into strips before removing the paper.  Within a few weeks they were completely gone.  I’ve had them a few times over the years, now as soon as I see them I get out the traps and they don't really spread much to any other plants.  
    Utah, USA.
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