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Window sill - fly

FoolioFoolio Posts: 94
in Plants

I regularly start off plants on my kitchen window sill, in pots of compost. Every time within 2 weeks I have small dark fly that sit on the soil and fly up when I move the pots. My seedlings etc always do well and don't seem to be affected but why do I get these? Everyone else I know doesn't know what I'm talking about! Even in the winter I can't grow an amaryllis without getting them!

Posts

  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,555

    fungus gnats. They live in the compost.

    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • the tidy gardenerthe tidy gardener Posts: 595

    yes, its in the compost.

    I have the same problem with my indoor peppers.

    I grow them on my bedroom window sill where they get the most sun as I don't have a green house.

    I use the yellow fly trap stickers, hang them from the blind and this seems to do the trick, tho they are still around.

    just be careful you don't get your hair stuck!!!

     

     

  • FleurisaFleurisa Posts: 779

    Let your pots dry out and only water them from the bottom so that the top of the soil is dry( which you should do anyway). Or cover the tops of your pots with gravel. They only lay eggs onto wet compost

  • FoolioFoolio Posts: 94

    Thanks everso - thats excellent image  being conveniently placed on the window sill above the sink I always water from the top - problem solved!

  • Jess is in the GardenJess is in the Garden Posts: 1,022

    "window-sill fly" 

     Excellent.

    Nearly went off to google this new species of pest, til I read your post! That's exactly what I have too and also what I have always called them image

  • FleurisaFleurisa Posts: 779

    Sciarid flies if you want the correct name

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