Tiny tiny fly buzzing around my plants

[GenevaDad]

I noticed a tiny tiny fly buzzing around my plants. It thought it might be a fruit fly but I think it's even smaller than those and the plants are nowhere near our fruit!

Help appreciated

[ang709]

Fungus gnat, maybe?

[espranch]

We've had an influx of gnats lately...The newly hatched ones are quite small; the adults are larger, especially the pregnant females. Go after them as soon as you can and kill all of them, as one female can easily lay 300 eggs! Good luck...Betty

[GenevaDad]

How should I go about killing those buggers?

[kiwiorchids]

How should I go about killing those buggers?

Its simple really: fly spray

[opaline]

any insecticide will do. Fungus gnats will colonise in constant moist areas so allow media to dry between waterings esp if this is your orchid sect. This will solve the problem aswell. Larvae need constant moist bark/soil/moss. Take the favourable conditions away.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Add a fan so that your plants dry out faster. The gnats will not hang out if their isn't moisture for them to reproduce.

cheers,
BD

[GenevaDad]

Thank you, opaline and Brutal_Dreamer. Small problems are always my challenge.

[cakedaddy]

They are a horrible nuisance if the become established. Their danger to plants is questionable, but for most types of orchids, they do indicate an impending issue involving media deterioration. I had a problem with them recently and mosquito dunks were recommended because I was dealing with plants that don't like their media to dry out. I can't vouch for that method of treatment because moving my plants inside for winter threw me a loop, but if you wind up with an infestation, the sources were more than reliable!
PS...thanks ladies!
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[ang709]

I've used a product called GoGnats on my plants growing in soil. It's made from cedar oil and has worked pretty well for me. I spray it on the soil after watering. I haven't put it on my orchids, though, but I have on occasion run soapy water through an orchid pot if I saw a gnat.

I agree that, as mentioned, air movement, letting a plant dry out a little more, and fresh medium are all important.