What's living in my houseplant?

Question

I repotted a plant a few weeks ago,I used some compost from the garden.Now there are hundreds of tiny black flies all over it! What are they and can I salvage the plant?

Answer 1

Sounds like shore flies or fungus gnats. Have you been watering pretty much since you repotted the plant? They need wet soil to complete their life cycle (the larvae stage lives in the soil).

Best way to get rid of the larvae is stop watering the plant. Let it dry out completely. Don't worry--the plant can go without water longer than the larvae can. When it's dry water moderately and then let it dry out again. Do this 3 times and that should kill the larvae.

At the same time you want to kill the adults so they don't just lay more eggs on the soil. Spray the plant and pot with Shultz Houseplant Insect Spray (it's made from crysanthemum flowers). It lasts about 3 weeks so this should get rid of the adults. Do both of these things and your problem should be over. And don't start overwatering once it's cleared up or the problem could recur.

Answer 2

These are probably fungis gnats. The problem with using compost from your garden is that "compost" means rotting material. Using outside is fine fungis gnats and other bugs have natural predators out there. In your house they have no predators and no place to go. dump out your current compost and replace with a bag of potting soil from a garden center.

Answer 3

Go to your local hydroponic store or garden center if you have to. Their are some stick tape traps and sprays as well. I had spider mites on my plants and had to buy some spray. I went to hydroponics store. Those guys know everything. Or, http://www.ecogrow.com/index.cfm/page/36/mid/23/Pest.html try this...

Answer 4

They might be WOWBugs. They reproduce quickly and are tiny. Lucky for you if you make sure no other bugs are livingin the olant, the
WOWBugs should die.( if they are WWOBugs)

Answer 5

go buy some soil from the store dump out that soil and replant soon......