A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The House Plant Forum Fleas or tiny flies help.......

I've got tiny fleas in my house flying around my plants. I've tried spraying them with water and detergent, but it didn't work. Help

Sounds like fungus gnats,, carefully remove the top layer of soil and replace with clean soil and let the plant dry out,, the gnats lay eggs in moist soil,, over moist soil will host those pesky things!! I'd take the plants outside and let it air dry, But I know it's too cold for you there to do that,, Be sure to throw out the top soil you remove,,immediately!

Forgive my mind, because I cannot remember what i was told the insect was, but I had the same problem back in 06 when I brought in my jersulem cherry plant from outdoors for the winter.

I was advised by somebody here what they were and they said that they die off fairly fast but that as they lay their eggs in the moist soil (just as appleblossom has just said) that to avoid re-infestations, I should let my plant dry out for a week or so & that will take care of the problem. I did just that. I have since had no problem !!!

Good luck with your plant.

yup, sounds like fungus gnats. You can try putting a layer of vermiculite over the top of the pot, and start to bottom water

I can do what you all suggest with only one tiny problem, I have so many plants I cannot really tell which one it's coming from.

I've tried waving my hand thro the plants to try and see which one it is, and I've not been able to identify the problem one.

I'll let my plant dry out this week real well and see if that will do the trick. If not then I'll clean up each pot's top soil as appleblossom suggests.

Thanks everyone for the help.

Just wanted to update you on my problem. I finally bought a non-chemical soap bug spray that was safe for my vegetable seedlings as well, and my problem is solved so far anyway. No more little bugs flying around all week.

Ive also had this problem but didnt know what to do about it... now I know ;D thanks ;)