Where are these little black flies coming from, and how do I get rid of them?

Question

They are like fruit flies, except I don't keep any fruit in the house, and my house is clean and immaculate! My Dad said they are probably coming from the two pot plants that I have....how can I get rid of them - they are so annoying!!

Answer 1

The flies are most probably Fungus Gnats or Soil Gnats. Go to:

http://www.gardenguides.com/how-to/tipstechniques/pests/fungusgnats.asp

Good site --
http://www.evergrowing.com/tips/bugs.htm

http://gardencenter.southernstates.com/lawn_garden_faq/gnats.shtml

biological control site:
http://www.biconet.com/biocontrol/hypoaspis.html

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Where are these little black flies coming from, and how do I get rid of them?
They are like fruit flies, except I don't keep any fruit in the house, and my house is clean and immaculate! My Dad said they are probably coming from the two pot plants that I have....how can I get rid of them - they are so annoying!!

Answer 3

There is an organic treatment called Gnatrl

It's a Bt that kills fungus gnats in the soil


Or if you wanna go cheaper use one tbsp of the old fashioned dishsoap like octagon, or baby/horse/castile shampoo in a gal of water to water your plants with, This will kill the emergeing larva (but not the eggs) Odds are you will need to do this 4 to 6 weeks depending on the infestation

Answer 4

I'm not sure how to get rid of them but i too have noticed loads of this tiny black flies all over my bedroom but especialy near my pot plant. Its weird though cos theyve only appeared in the last few months.

Answer 5

Dustoff is the only correct answer i see i'll second his answer and add that the fungus knats live in the top half inch of soil so remove that and replace it with sand and they'll probably go away or not be able to come up and get back down to the soil.

The fungus knat grows fungus and lives in symbiosis with it much like the fungus beetle does , it grows where they go and where they go is to the humidity so it'll probably help to keep them a touch on the arid side of watering for a while.

Ob1

Answer 6

I also have these little black flies in my house. I don't have fruit in the house. but i do have plants in the living room. i also have seen them coming from the kitchen drain.also in the bath room I've looked for that hidden potatoes but have discovered none. what is the best answer?

Answer 7

You could buy a Pitcher plant or Venus fly trap or other predatory plant which digests flies. There are three types but I forget what the third one is called. You will get them at most garden centres and they will gobble your fruit flies all up. :-)

Answer 8

They probably are still fruit flies and they are dirty rotten little critters and theyre always in my kitchen. you have to keep on top of the house work always, and make sure your place is generally clean. They feed on the sugars from the fruits so you dont even have to have a whole fruit lying around.

Answer 9

Your dad is probably right about the pot plant - put it outside and clean its leaves - squirt with lukewarm water and wipe the leaves clean. Are you absolutelysure you don't have fruit or veg somewhere? I once discovered a couple of potatoes which had fallen down behind the worksurface.....and were the cause of the flies. Worth a second look!

Answer 10

I don't know where they are coming from, they look like tiny little flies, the only time I see them is when they are already dead inside my bath tub, or in the window ceiling. could you please add a picture of them? and they are very irritating.