Little flies in soil

Wonder if anyone can help, I have some plants in pots and have noticed that there are lots of tiny little 'flies' in the soil....what are they and how do I get rid of them??

Thanks

 

Hi Mrs T. I think these are Thrips. You need to spray. But be aware that after spraying their eggs will still be in the compost and will hatch - so you must continue to spray for a bit. They are reasonably harmless, but it is still a good idea to get rid of them.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thysanoptera
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0801/thrips.asp

 

Peter is almost certainly right Mrs T. I got a bad attack by them last winter when I brought a lot of baby palms into the house. Didn't actually do any harm just annoying. A general flying insect spray eventually shifted them. I got mine from Wilko's.

 

If they are in or on the soil it could be Scariad fly, the tell tale signs are silvery trails on the soil surface and small white grubs just below. Provado can be used for this problem although it is sold as a Vine Weevil pesticide.

 

Agree with Strongy sounds like scariad flies, if you don't want to use chemicals water the plants from the bottom keep the compost dry on top, also you can put a fine layer of dry sand on top of the compost this prevents them laying their eggs and consequently there's none of the little grubs that do the damage.

 

Thanks very much!