Now that I know that white fuzzy stuff on new pottings is not unusual
'round here, I have another question. Where do the little plant flies come
from and how can I get rid of them? I know they're not fruit flies because
the eyes aren't right (those old biology classes come in handy
sometimes...), but they seem to have the same attraction to pots as fruit
flies do to fruit. They don't eat the plants as far as I can tell, but
it's sort of annoying to have them floating around the kitchen.

Has anyone else found a way to avoid these creatures?

Thanks

Arwen

about the pesky little flies. i did an experiment with them. i took a bit of
wet soil from the pot and placed it under the microscope. i saw the white
larva moving around in the soil and actually saw a fly pop out of a cocoon
while in the top layer of the soil. it seems they lay their eggs in the wet
soil and they go through a complete metamorphoses .egg .larva.pupa.adult,
they like wet soil so i try to bottom water my plants and place marbles or
pebbles such as you get for the fish tank on top of the soil so they don't
get near the soil.also paper towel over the soil helps. this year i tried to
use the soap insecticide like saffers and it did cut down on the population
of indoor plants.
"Arwen Long" wrote in message
...
Now that I know that white fuzzy stuff on new pottings is not unusual
'round here, I have another question. Where do the little plant flies come
from and how can I get rid of them? I know they're not fruit flies because
the eyes aren't right (those old biology classes come in handy
sometimes...), but they seem to have the same attraction to pots as fruit
flies do to fruit. They don't eat the plants as far as I can tell, but
it's sort of annoying to have them floating around the kitchen.

Has anyone else found a way to avoid these creatures?

Thanks

Arwen

that's what i always worry about, cutting down on the population of indoor
plants i don't usually need soap to do it, though.

mhill wrote:


use the soap insecticide like saffers and it did cut down on the population
of indoor plants.

Someone here suggested, and I have used, flea shampoo to eliminate white
flies. Works well.
Jeny

don't put it on the leaves. put it directly into the top layer of soil. make
sure you reapply it once a week FOR A MONTH SO YOU GET THE PUPA WHEN IT
COMES OUT. NO DECENT FLY WILL LAY EGGS ON SOAP. excuse the capitals, i must
have hit the caplock. i have eliminated them altogether so far no pesky
little flies (fingers crossed
"jonathan hunsberger" wrote in message
...
that's what i always worry about, cutting down on the population of indoor
plants i don't usually need soap to do it, though.

mhill wrote:


use the soap insecticide like saffers and it did cut down on the
population
of indoor plants.

I'll try that even though i don't have pets.
"Raleighgirl" wrote in message
. com...
Someone here suggested, and I have used, flea shampoo to eliminate white
flies. Works well.
Jeny

There was an article in today's N&O on these flies - fungus or mold flies.
Advice was to let plants dry out completely between watering, and a couple
of other things. They're not harmful to plants or humans, just pesky.

"Arwen Long" wrote in message
...
Now that I know that white fuzzy stuff on new pottings is not unusual
'round here, I have another question. Where do the little plant flies come
from and how can I get rid of them? I know they're not fruit flies because
the eyes aren't right (those old biology classes come in handy
sometimes...), but they seem to have the same attraction to pots as fruit
flies do to fruit. They don't eat the plants as far as I can tell, but
it's sort of annoying to have them floating around the kitchen.

Has anyone else found a way to avoid these creatures?

Thanks

Arwen

update on my experiment with "concern insect killing soap" i put it in the
soil once a week for a month and now no more flies.so it works. the flea
spray could be used on the leaves but ill give it a fling.
"Jennifer Richards" wrote in message
om...
There was an article in today's N&O on these flies - fungus or mold flies.
Advice was to let plants dry out completely between watering, and a couple
of other things. They're not harmful to plants or humans, just pesky.

"Arwen Long" wrote in message
...
Now that I know that white fuzzy stuff on new pottings is not unusual
'round here, I have another question. Where do the little plant flies
come
from and how can I get rid of them? I know they're not fruit flies
because
the eyes aren't right (those old biology classes come in handy
sometimes...), but they seem to have the same attraction to pots as
fruit
flies do to fruit. They don't eat the plants as far as I can tell, but
it's sort of annoying to have them floating around the kitchen.

Has anyone else found a way to avoid these creatures?

Thanks

Arwen

Thanks for all the answers. have been letting the soil dry more & flies
decrease. yay! will remember flea spray also.

arwen (who has tennis elbow & isn't going to type for a whiler)

On Sun, 24 Nov 2002, mhill wrote:

update on my experiment with "concern insect killing soap" i put it in the
soil once a week for a month and now no more flies.so it works. the flea
spray could be used on the leaves but ill give it a fling.
"Jennifer Richards" wrote in message
om...
There was an article in today's N&O on these flies - fungus or mold flies.
Advice was to let plants dry out completely between watering, and a couple
of other things. They're not harmful to plants or humans, just pesky.

"Arwen Long" wrote in message
...
Now that I know that white fuzzy stuff on new pottings is not unusual
'round here, I have another question. Where do the little plant flies
come
from and how can I get rid of them? I know they're not fruit flies
because
the eyes aren't right (those old biology classes come in handy
sometimes...), but they seem to have the same attraction to pots as
fruit
flies do to fruit. They don't eat the plants as far as I can tell, but
it's sort of annoying to have them floating around the kitchen.

Has anyone else found a way to avoid these creatures?

Thanks

Arwen

Xref: 127.0.0.1 triangle.gardens:15975

this article also suggested placing slices of raw potato in the pot
covered slightly with dirt. the potato draws the larvae from the pot.
once or twice a week throw away and replace the potato.

Jennifer Richards wrote:
There was an article in today's N&O on these flies - fungus or mold flies.
Advice was to let plants dry out completely between watering, and a couple
of other things. They're not harmful to plants or humans, just pesky.

"Arwen Long" wrote in message
...

Now that I know that white fuzzy stuff on new pottings is not unusual
'round here, I have another question. Where do the little plant flies come
from and how can I get rid of them? I know they're not fruit flies because
the eyes aren't right (those old biology classes come in handy
sometimes...), but they seem to have the same attraction to pots as fruit
flies do to fruit. They don't eat the plants as far as I can tell, but
it's sort of annoying to have them floating around the kitchen.

Has anyone else found a way to avoid these creatures?

Thanks

Arwen

A thing to think about - these guys love moist soil. Are you perhaps
overwatering a little? Of course some plants like very moist soil but
many like to dry out between watering. Also is there good air
circulation? Adequate light?

Pat Brothers
The Powell House Wake Forest
USDA Zone 7b
The Perennials Lady at Atlantic Avenue Orchid and Garden Center

mhill wrote:

I'll try that even though i don't have pets.
"Raleighgirl" wrote in message
. com...

Someone here suggested, and I have used, flea shampoo to eliminate white
flies. Works well.
Jeny

In article ,
"mhill" wrote:

I'll try that even though i don't have pets.
"Raleighgirl" wrote in message
. com...
Someone here suggested, and I have used, flea shampoo to eliminate white
flies. Works well.
Jeny



The only problem I have with that is getting the fleas to sit still
enough to sit through an entire shampoo......