ASK THE CHALET PROS

The fruit flies that are coming from your houseplants are really fungus gnats. The small gnats that fly around and are attracted water sources are the adult form of the insect, the larva is in the soil of the houseplant feeding on organic matter or young roots of the plant. They usually occur when the soil is kept more moist (in winter when the furnace is running or in summer when the sun is brighter and the plants require more water). The way to get rid of them involves 2 parts – 1.) get rid of the adults with yellow sticky tape that is hung from the branches of the plant or mounted on a spike that is stuck in the soil. The fungus gnats are attracted to the yellow color and get stuck. 2.) Apply a systemic or contact insecticide to the soil. A good systemic is “Bonide’s” Systemic Insect Killer. A good contact is “Eight”.