Compost flies on Spider plants

[Colm Osiris]

i normally have a few compost flies around my plants, but they've never been a huge problem. but this year, my original Spider plant, which i was worried about as it had hardly any roots, and is showing signs of new growth, appears to be infested with them. they seem to love the Spider plants, particularly this one, but my other plants, Begonias, Hoya bellas and Money plants, are hardly affected at all. i know they're supposed to be harmless, i don't know about larger numbers.

 

[cpp gardener]

Over here we call them fungus gnats. They are, mostly, an annoyance but if they get too abundant the larvae can damage fine roots. The best control is to let the soil surface dry out between waterings. The larvae don’t burrow very deep and have to stay moist. You can also treat with Mosquito Bits which are granules inoculated with Bacillus thuringiensis. The bacteria (Bt) feeds on fly larvae and kills them. Organic, effective, and completely harmless to pets and people. Unless you have pet fruitflies.

 

[Colm Osiris]

thanks. no, no pet fruit flies! someone suggested covering the soil with gravel, as that will stop them laying eggs. i'd rather discourage them than kill them, but that might just be assuaging my conscience!

they seem to like committing suicide in my drinks, which is really annoying, though more so for them. and they love walking all over my computer screen when i'm working, which is also pretty irritating. but it's when they fly in my face, and inside my glasses that enough is enough!

 

[Anniekay]

They love apple cider vinegar. put a small bowl by the affected plants and they will crawl in and drown.

Keeping the soil constantly wet on top attracts them.

 

[Colm Osiris]

thanks. i'll do that. hopefully, this, along with the gravel, which i'm now going to put on all my houseplants, should do the tirck. also, another reason for not watering from the top, i usppose.