I have an aloe vera plant, and for some reason I have small gnats, or small flies that hang around in there. How can I get rid of them, and what attracts them to the plant?
2006-09-12 10:01:56 · 7 answers · asked by Little Hulk 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
may sound weird but try some lemon peel on top of the earth around the plant.
replace as and when needed.
2006-09-12 10:05:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The flies you are referring to are fungus gnats, and they begin as worm-like larvae in the moist soil of many houseplants. The best way to get rid of them is with a soil drench made with bT (bacillius thuringiensus) (not sure if I spelled that correctly, the label will say bT with the longer version spelled out in smaller letters) which is a biological control for the larvae. bT can be found at any garden center and is very affordable. It will be a liquid and should be in a 8 - 12 oz bottle. Mix according to label directions for a soil drench. By soil drench I mean what you do is put the bT mixture in a watering can and totally drench the soil in the pot until it runs out the bottom. (I do this in the tub or shower , or outdoors in the yard.) You may need to reapply in a week to ten days, but this remedy will kill the larvae that grow into the gnats you speak of. You can use this method on any houseplant you have. Good luck!
2006-09-12 22:13:33 · answer #2 · answered by noplacelikehome660 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
TOO much water attracts both fungus gnats and shore fly to your plant, ONLY, water once a week or a little less. Here is where it gets weird! cut up a potato and place it skin side up, white side down in the pot. The fungus gnats will be so happy to have a root to lay their eggs in that you will then be able to ON A DAILY BASIS remove the infested potaoe
trashed bagged it and go on to cleaner plant life!
2006-09-13 22:55:49 · answer #3 · answered by bugsie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally, the plant would be gone. You could try changing the dirt and washing the plant to see if that helps. Or go to your local Agway to see if they have some type of spray.
2006-09-12 17:06:23 · answer #4 · answered by flower 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get a 1liter bottle. cut about 1/4 on the top of the bottle.put half peel banana in the bottle. put back the top upside down and tape it. this will attrack the flies inside
2006-09-12 18:46:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get some bug spray for plants. It works after repeated use. They use the soil to multiply. I had them in the soil in one of my plants in my office. It took me a week to get rid of them. Drove me crazy,,,,flying in front of the computer screen. Finally got em though.
2006-09-12 17:05:19 · answer #6 · answered by bugear001 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds as if you may have fungus gnats. They are living in your overly wet soil. try letting the soil dry between waterings and that should take care of them
2006-09-12 22:42:37 · answer #7 · answered by jay f 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋