Little flies and insects

I've told you all about my Basil plants on the kitchen window sill. Well now, I've got lots of little flying things too, hovering around. It wouldn't bother me if they were on the far side of the kitchen, but my window sill is above my sink. So everytime I wash up and put my wet cutlery to dry etc there's lots of little flying things everywhere.

Any ideas what (if anything) I can do? I do lightly spray fly killer when I remove the plants to clean the window sill but that's not a regular job!

 

They sound like fruit flies to me, they are usually attracted by very or over ripe fruit.

 

Are you over watering perhaps?

Anyway try fly paper? Its less hazardous and more effective than fly spray.

 

Those little flies come out of the compost Melinda. I'm struggling to think what they're called but they are a pest.
Water your plants from below and let the surface of the compost dry out.
Sprinkle the surface of the compost with chilli powder.
I hope you get rid of the little pests.

 

My memories come back Melinda. They're called fungus gnats.

 

Yes, perhaps I am overwatering. I never let the surface dry out! I will search for chilli powder in my cupboards.