Flies on office plants

[davholla]

I brought some plants to my office and they have got very small flies - any ideas on what to do?  This has not made me popular.

[davholla]

[Tee Gee]

My guess is they are fungus flies;

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Sciarid%20fly/Sciarid%20fly.htm

[hopalong]

Fungus flies only breed when the soil surface is wet, so try putting the pots in trays and watering from below.

[davholla]

Fungus flies only breed when the soil surface is wet, so try putting the pots in trays and watering from below.

Thanks a lot - hopefully my boss will be kept happy.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Let the pots dry out a little and see if that helps.

[valmarg]

Are they scariad (sorry not sure of the spelling) flies?  In which case I would water with Provado.

valmarg

[davholla]

What about a venus fly trap?

[hopalong]

What about a venus fly trap?

That could add some excitement! However, keeping the compost surface dry is the key thing to do.

[davholla]

What about a venus fly trap?

That could add some excitement! However, keeping the compost surface dry is the key thing to do.

Stress from my boss is the main problem.

[valmarg]

Why not do as I suggested, and water the plants with Provado.

I think it unlikely that the problem is fungus flies, more likely the scariad.

valmarg

[hopalong]

I think they're the same thing, valmarg. Fungus gnats are also known as sciarids or mushroom flies. Insecticide, as you suggest, correct watering and covering the surface of pot plants with sand or grit to stop adults laying eggs are all things that should work.

Editorial extra! Having just read the separate thread on Provado, I'd give that a miss, davholla! Stick with non-chemical controls if you can.

[valmarg]

Thanks hopalong.  The office where I worked some years ago had big planters of house plants.  The flies were a dreadful nuisance.

Whilst I would not use any chemical on anything we eat, it wouldn't be a problem on ornamentals.

valmarg

[hopalong]

Thanks hopalong.  The office where I worked some years ago had big planters of house plants.  The flies were a dreadful nuisance.

Whilst I would not use any chemical on anything we eat, it wouldn't be a problem on ornamentals.

valmarg

Here's the link to the other thread I mentioned before, valmarg.  This would make me think again about using Provado, even on ornamentals.

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/smf/index.php/topic,45574.msg459905.html#msg459905

[valmarg]

I suppose so, but in an enclosed space where bees were not going to be affected, I wouldn't have a problem.

valmarg