Keeping flies off your houseplants can be hard but there’s one simple tip you need to remember which could make a huge difference. It can be disappointing when you buy houseplants to brighten up your home, only to have them become a magnet for flies and other insects.
Gardening and plants expert Calum Maddock has shared one tip that many plant-owners might not know but it could be a real lifesaver. The majority of flies on your indoor plants will be sciarid flies, which are more commonly known as fungus gnats, Calum explains. Although the flies themselves are not a threat to your plant, their young can be. The larvae of the sciarid flies may feed on the roots of seedlings, potentially damaging or killing them.
There’s one simple tip you should follow that can reduce any flies on your plants, Calum says.
The expert, from Homehow.co.uk, says the key is keeping the top of the soil dry.
He says: “Fungus gnats, as their name suggests, are enticed by moist and wet environments.
“By keeping the top couple of inches of your plant’s soil dry, the conditions will not be conducive to the flies. On the other hand, a constantly wet soil will draw sciarid flies.
“Make sure the plant will tolerate that level of soil dryness before implementing this particular option. If it’s not suitable for some plants, try one of the other methods of deterring the flies.”
With this in mind, if you can, you should water your plants from above.
By watering your houseplants from underneath, the top of the soil will not get as wet, but the roots will still receive what they need.
You should set your plant in a container or saucer of water when it looks like it needs a drink.
After about 20-30 minutes, you should discard any water from the container that has not been absorbed by the plant.
Don’t allow the pot to remain sitting in it which could lead to the soil becoming too wet on the top and could create an ideal place for flies to gravitate towards.
By following this simple rule, you can ensure you won’t find any insects on your plants and instead your plants will be able to thrive.