Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Flies on indoor herb plants

Collapse

X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Flies on indoor herb plants

    Hello. This is my first year growing herbs on the windowsill. I have basil and coriander. They've done really well and we're eating our own body weight in herbs every day, but we seem to have tiny flies breeding on the plants. They're driving my husband mad to the point where he's asked me to put all the plants outside today! His theory is that the nippy start will kill or discourage the flies.

    Does anyone know why this has happened and how I can kill the flies and prevent it happening again next year? Thanks.
    Is there anything that isn't made better by half an hour pottering in the veg patch?

  • #2
    Are they on the plants or in the compost? If they are a nuisance to you I think they are compost gnats or sciarid flies. They like damp compost so you could try letting the compost dry out more between watering. I have had some success with plastic milk bottle tops filled with almond oil placed on the compost. The flies obligingly drown themselves in the sweet oil. I find the peat free composts are worse for flies so this is one time I use a peat based one.


    Sent from my iPad using Grow Your Own Forum

    Comment


    • #3
      Thanks Wendy. I'm pretty sure they're in the compost, so what you say makes sense. Likely I do overwater, so I'll hold off for a bit. I'm bound to have almond oil somewhere so I'll try that too.
      Is there anything that isn't made better by half an hour pottering in the veg patch?

      Comment


      • #4
        I agree with Wendy; try and water from the bottom of the pot only and cover the soil with a fine gravel.

        I keep one of those battery fly swatters to hand!!!
        The proof of the growing is in the eating.
        Leave Rotten Fruit.
        Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potasium - potash.
        Autant de têtes, autant d'avis!!!!!
        Il n'est si méchant pot qui ne trouve son couvercle.

        Comment


        • #5
          They're called fungus gnats and you can beat them. Good advice above and from the RHS here.
          My blog: www.grow-veg.uk

          @Grow_Veg_UK

          Comment


          • #6
            I grow sundews and butterworts on the windowsill, the flies end up as free fertilizer


            Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum
            don't be afraid to innovate and try new things
            remember.........only the dead fish go with the flow

            Another certified member of the Nutters club

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by MrsCordial View Post
              Likely I do overwater
              Yep, that's why you've got them.
              Your basil isn't going to live much longer so I wouldn't bother repotting them, but if it was earlier in the year I'd say repot them in clean compost, washing the roots well to get rid of any eggs/larvae.

              Then, don't water the soil surface, water by putting the plant pot in a saucer of water for a couple of minutes. The soil surface should remain pretty dry
              All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

              Comment

              Latest Topics

              Collapse

              Recent Blog Posts

              Collapse
              Working...
              X