Indoor plants pest

We have a number of indoor plants. All of them seem to be harbouring tiny black flies, which cause annoyance by flying every where in the home. The are very attracted to any fruit,veg or drinks that are about. The flies seem to be able to burrow into the loose soil in the pots. I am therefore assuming that they may actually be growing from grubs within the pots.

Anyone have an idea as to what they might be and how to be rid of them?

Thanks
stony

 

Thanks for that info. I have searched elsewhere on the net and as a result have so far, put two pots of vinegar with tiny holes in their lids near the pot plants most affected. This is to attract the flies into the pots and hopefully they cannot get out again. I have identified the worst attraction for the gnats, as the green lidded box that we keep in the conservatory near the pot plants. It contains discarded vegetable matter, prior to going outside to the compost heap. Why did anyone invent those boxes?

I would be obliged if anyone could suggest an appropriate mix for the Vinegar/water mix. I do not want to kill any of the plants.

Thanks again.
stony

 

Marley - thank you - you have done me a service in reminding me to do something about mine. I get them every year - I think from my lightbox, which has very wet compost at a high temperature. I sometimes remember to spray, but they don't seem to do much damage. However they do irritate me flying round the sittingroom. Perhaps I should kep a bat in the house. :D

 

I've tried using a bat on the fungus gnats, too much broken crockery & wrecked plaster.

Will stick to a rolled up newspaper instead.

 

:lollol: :lollol: :lollol:

 

On the advice given, I have used the spray at the 8 to 1 mix on the soil in the pots and around them and also stood a couple of closed jars with small holes in the lids with vinagar in them, near to the pots. I also moved the veg scrap box outside the conservatory door.

There has been a marked reduction in flying gnats but there are occasional ones seen. I do wonder how much affect my attacks are having and how much the reduction in temperature is causing the lack of activity?

stony

 

I don't think that my efforts are working. Yes there are less flies but it's very cold outside and the pots concerned are all out in the conservatory, which although having some heat is still much colder than the main dwelling. As I spray the pots, there are always some dozy flies popping out from among the leaves. There are no signs at all of flies inside the pots of vinegar. The very worst pot is one with three plants in it and the surface is covered in gravel.
Every day we get one or two of the beasts flying around us indoors when we are eating or watching TV.

I am thinking of getting some bats or else it will have to be an advanced chemical attack.
stony

 

My house is rife for these little flying critters at the moment due to all the seedlings I have growing, so I will be trying the vinegar suggestion with gleeful anticipation. As all the seedlings are edible I am loath to look for an insecticide to do the job

 

I just water my houseplants with a bit of washing up liquid in it. You could recycle your water from doing the dishes. It seems to kill them off without too much fuss or effort.

 

Gnat Off

http://www.hg-hydroponics.co.uk/fungus-gnat-off---250ml-407-p.asp

I have also read that a layer of clay pebbles on the top of the soil of the pot solves the problem?