Flies in potted mint

Question

I have been seeing tiny flies flying out when i water this plant, and today found these little bugs that look like aphids in the leaf joints. Are these two infestations, or two life stages of the same insect? Do i just try and wash them off in the sink? thanks hometalkers!

Bruce Roy · Answer

You can try using a mixture of 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water in a spray bottle.  It 's better if you spray your plants in the evening after sun down .

Christie N Jeff Parker · Answer

Make sure you have good drainage. If there is standing water, gnats will nest in it. I've made that mistake before and had gnats in the house when I brought them inside for winter.  I mixed water with a few drops of lemon dish soap and sprayed the soil and leaves with it, let it dry and rinse off with water in a spray bottle, or hose if outside.  This may work for the small aphids too. If not you might try jalapeno water.

Christine · Answer

you also have aphids.  soak a bit of tobacco (find a stub) in a cup of water for a day. strain and then add 1-2 drops of liquid dish soap. spray on plant every other day for three treatments. should work and help with the aphid problem too.

Annette DiMattio · Answer

Looks like aphids. But if you do have fungus gnats in the soil, water with one part hydrogen peroxide and 4 parts water. Will kill the gnats and give your plant a boost of oxygen.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

It appears to be more then one situation here. You must only use a horticultural oil . Spray the leaves over and under. I suggest you repot this as well .Eggs will lay in the soil unless you change it out. Remember this is peppermint which you should never use chemicals on...

Bill Forshay · Answer

I had the same problem. I put white vinegar in a little pringles cup. Left it out over night and the next morning I had about 15 of them in the bottom of the cup.

Ruby Dilsner · Answer

Fruit flies ( which love wine/vinegar) and fungus gnats are two different bugs. Fungus gnats love moist soil. Do NOT bring plants from outside to the house if there are fungus gnats flying around it.  Pot it up in NEW soil, and put it into quarantine for a while before bringing into the house. (Voice of experience.)

Jill Chadbourne-Parks · Answer

I use water and Basic H from Shaklee. Very diluted. Works great. My mint is close to my back door so flies were sneaking in.

Chas' Crazy Creations · Answer

Here's a post that might help https://chascrazycreations.com/irish-spring-soap-and-flies/

Mogie · Answer

Fungus gnats in plants are little bugs that flutter up and around your indoor greenery. They show up whenever you water. They're actually tiny flies, about 1/8-inch long, drawn to moist potting soil and decaying leaves on the surface of the soil around your plants.

Flies in potted mint

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Flies in potted mint

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