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Houseplant problem
DeeWest
Posts: 39
Hi guys
I have a beautiful foliage houseplant which looks like it is in good condition above the soil. But when I water it, I notice very fast-running (what look like) spiders running across the soil for cover. They're so quick you alsmost can't tell if you really saw them. They are very small, the size of a midge.
Any idea:
what they are
if they will harm my plant
if they will infest my house
if there's a safe way to get rid of them
They don't 'appear' to be on the leaves
0
Posts
easiest way to get rid of them is to fill a bucket up with cold water, add a squirt of washing up liquid and give is a mix, put the pot of the plant in the water until the soil surface is below the surface and leave it for a couple of hours, that should see off any beasties living in the soil.
Thanks treehugger, will that affect my plant in any way?
They maybe fungus gnats that live off dead vegetation.
Do you notice any of them flying around that area, they are tiny.
th80's is a good idea to get rid of the adults but maybe eggs will still hatch and repeat the cycle.
If it is fungus gnats they're annoying more than harmful. A good covering of grit on the surface may help.
Alternatively you could try neem oil - completely organic.
Some washing up liquid these days contains some pretty weird stuff - some have moisturisers and harsh chemicals which wont be plant friendly - I'd try clear shower gel without anything that leaves your skin silky soft (mine is anyway
)
But it depends what they are in the first place.
Billericay - Essex
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