Help,fruitflies ?!

[GregorK]

Here is my problem ( and lately i have a lot of problems -.-)
I have some sort of tiny fruitflies and they are attacking my Orchids.... well i dont know if they are attacking them but they sure live on them . Theye are flying everywhere, driving me crazy. They probably like the moist environment in orchid potting mix.

Can they do any harm on my plants?
Grrr dont know what to do?! Its annoying as hell

I was thinking of using some pesticide... i dont know. I kill at least 10 every day but i guess they multiply very well

Does anyone have the same problem.
Any suggestions how to get rid of this things is very welcome !

regards
Gregor

[GardenTheater]

Hi Gregor,
I did a search on Fruit Flies on this Orchid Board. There is something flying around my orchids too. Here is a link to the advice that came up:
Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web ! - Search Results

[Nexogen]

Hang sheets of yellow sticky fly paper above the pots and use Bacillus thuringiensis.

[GregorK]

Thank you both for your answers!
why didn't i think of searching the orchid board before posting this thread?!

[nikkik]

Sounds like fungus gnats, they like the moist media.

[ALToronto]

Fruit flies have bright red eyes, readily visible. If these flies don't have them, they're fungus gnats. Adults won't harm your plants, but larvae will. It's not easy getting completely rid of them, but you can control them with fly paper or various fruit juice or beer traps. You can also use a sulphur spray, seems to help.

[GregorK]

i checked the google... catch a few of them and yes they are fungus gnats :S

I placed some traps.... i have to buy those sticky yellow papers... if that wont help.. i dont know... And they seem to really like it in the potting media that is a bit more moist.

Plus.. for todays bonus i discovered a mealybug on my Angreacum. It was only one. I killed that nasty thing!

Now what should i do?

[RandomGemini]

I'd start by watering a bit less for the time being, from the sounds of it, things are a bit moist for the plants and the insects are liking the conditions.

The next thing I'd do is get some sweet wine, like a riesling and stick it in a cup or a baby food jar with some plastic wrap rubber banded around the opening, poke a few holes and you have a gnat trap. I saw this trick on the forum somewhere (wish I could remember who's idea this was so I could give credit!) and used it for the gnat problem I was having with my african violets. Worked like a charm.

[kindrag23]

@GregorK Bayor 3 in 1 works wonders for buggies, so do butter worts have worked at ridding me of my gnat issues as well. Just one of those little guys scared them all away... HAPPY DAY

[GregorK]

Thank you both for the tips. seems like Ill have to do some spending money to save my babies even though i would rather spend it on some new ones