Fungus Gnats in my chillis

[amandaandherveg]

A couple of years ago I tried to overwinter a few chilli plants but the house became overrun with Fungus Gnats. I have tried again with 5 plants this year and today the kitchen is jumping with the wee beasties. I've tried keeping the compost really dry but no success - what am I doing wrong?

[WendyC]

They are quite fond of almond oil and will drown themselves in it if you put a little in a lid like a milk container lid. Also they seem to thrive in wet compost so try letting dry out a little.

[Thelma Sanders]

Same here - and the compost is dry!

I think it's all this woody chip stuff in the peat-free composts

[chilli_grower]

Are they those tiny white things, that lurk just beneath the compost surface?

And do they jump around everywhere when compost disturbed?

If so, I had this happen a few weeks ago.

I just scraped off the top centimetre or so, and put fresh compost on top.

Nevertheless, they did not seem to be attaching the plant, or the roots....

[PyreneesPlot]

I've tried putting a deep layer of gravel on top of the pots and there are fewer than last year.
I've also had to cover some pots with cardboard to stop the cats confusing them with litter trays. These ones have no gnats at all.

[starloc]

Give the pots a light sprinkle of cinnamon , works well, keeps them away and seems to kill them as well, another way is water them with a small amount of neem oil in the next watering

[BUFFS]

i use small pieces of the yellow sticky sheets,taped to the top of the pot,several if its a big pot,then just tap the pots in passing,they tend to land on the yellow sheet.....simples....,one sheet,cut up,is enough for 6 or more pots so it doesnt cost more than pennies.