tiny black flies on surface of pots

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kermit

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tiny black flies on surface of pots
« on: May 08, 2010, 10:54 »
I have loads of tiny black flies on the surface of my indoor pots (chillies etc).  they seem to just be crawling around on the surface and then fly off for a bit.  Dont seem to be causing any harm to the plants, but its a bit annoying being in the house.  Tried general insecticide spray but doesnt seem to have worked.  Also tried fly paper with very limited success.  Any ideas?

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Yorkie

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Re: tiny black flies on surface of pots
« Reply #1 on: May 08, 2010, 18:59 »
They'll be sciarid flies - general cause is compost which is too damp.  Try keeping the compost more dry and they should go.  They shouldn't cause too much harm to the plants, if I recall correctly.
I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days all attack me at once...

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goodegg

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Re: tiny black flies on surface of pots
« Reply #2 on: May 08, 2010, 19:06 »
you just beat me yorkie i was about to say the very same they dont cause any harm but are very annoying

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Yabba

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Re: tiny black flies on surface of pots
« Reply #3 on: May 08, 2010, 19:24 »
Often hear people saying "water from the bottom" ... especially chilli growers ;)

¥

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mumofstig

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Re: tiny black flies on surface of pots
« Reply #4 on: May 08, 2010, 19:33 »
they do not do much harm to established plants but they can spoil a batch of seedlings by munching the roots...I had a pot of basil babies collapse  :(

If you notice them in a particular batch of compost (I had one growbag that seemed full of them!) then I wouldn't use it for sowing in.

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8doubles

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Re: tiny black flies on surface of pots
« Reply #5 on: May 08, 2010, 19:48 »
We put an Ultra Violet fly killer lamp next to the pots, that cut down the numbers a lot the first night. :)

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kermit

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Re: tiny black flies on surface of pots
« Reply #6 on: May 08, 2010, 20:23 »
Thanks for the replies.  I'll def try watering from the bottom.  Definetely just annoying  ::)



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