Comments
Yeti_Poet t1_ixo5ehx wrote
Homeboy got an aphid orgy running in his living room
Private_Part t1_ixmkmmw wrote
Probaby fungus gnats in the soil. Really hard to control.
You can try watering less, adding about 3/4 of an inch of sand on top of soil and putting up some yellow sticky traps.
All of the soil from the big box stores comes with this little treat these days.
invenio78 t1_ixmmjt0 wrote
My wife loves gardening and brings in a lot of plants for the winter. We always have some (nothing like OP, just see one flying in front of the computer screen here and then).
Those yellow sticky pads work really well and I put one in every pot. I also will spray down the plants with insecticide before bringing them into the house. I've also used those small bug zappers and fan operated glue traps and those work as well. I don't think there is universal fix but if you stay on top of it, it's just one or two here and there.
Links to products I've used:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IMTVAI6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CDB8PDG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
pink-peonies_ t1_ixmvkkt wrote
This is the correct answer, OP
Moneyshot1311 t1_ixmxobb wrote
Put sand over the soil.
pachucatruth t1_ixmvjao wrote
This should be the top comment!
Authoress61 t1_ixnxgad wrote
Had the same. Repot if you can with new clean soil. Get some sticky traps too. Put cinnamon on top of the soil of your plants, they hate that. And if you have that many outside of your plants, I’d vacuum them up and immediately go dump the bag/canister outside. These little bastards are insideous.
DrJewballs t1_ixnoigh wrote
Looks like some type of bug
sertater t1_ixnvjar wrote
i have to agree with you on this one
800grandave t1_ixnqv8g wrote
so glad you took the time to be useless
r_hove t1_ixntaio wrote
You should see him in his real life
800grandave t1_ixntss4 wrote
i picture him as an amorphous blob covered in dorito dust
sertater t1_ixnwaid wrote
my man. you have commented 90 times in the last 16 hours.
800grandave t1_ixnwtkl wrote
shit! is this a world record?!? thanks always helpful comment counter guy!
is it a natural skill? or does it take training?
(91 btw)
sertater t1_ixo2cge wrote
Sadly this is not a world record, but you are on your way! I'm sure if you continue with this pace, and being a waste of oxygen much like your other comments suggest, you'll hit the record in no time!
As for being the "always helpful counter guy," it comes naturally. I'm here to make sure you know just how much time you spend online instead of doing something productive!
800grandave t1_ixo39zy wrote
oh im sure youre a real fucking captain of industry type yourself. shucks mister, how do i find value and purpose?!?
by calling you a cunt, of course! tally another one fuckface
sertater t1_ixo8w3k wrote
that makes 92! you're on a roll!
dorelda t1_ixmq1pj wrote
I top the soil with a layer of medium polished aquarium/terrarium stones. It breaks the bug breeding cycle, and is decorative.
pachucatruth t1_ixmvgh5 wrote
Sand works as well. You got fungal gnats bro.
beyond_hatred t1_ixn7ye5 wrote
Those are like the 747 model of fungus gnat.
dorelda t1_ixmxny6 wrote
Yes. The dang flies are gross, and find their way in so easily.
I switched to “self watering” pots, too, to improve drainage (another reason your sand recommendation is a good one).
Still_Lab_6996 t1_ixntyq5 wrote
Also you should water from the bottom of the pot rather than pouring it on top
Dreem_Walker t1_ixol32l wrote
r/whatbugisthis can help
rog_ChaiNSaW t1_ixmkseq wrote
You could also try r/whatisthisbug
Bluejay1889 t1_ixmmlge wrote
I am going through the same situation. I have indoor plants. I think it's due to the weather conditions (change in humidity inside, etc). They are fungus gnats.
You need sticky traps (little yellow things, put them on soil around the plant. They are cheap on Amazon)
You can also create your hydrogen peroxide and water solution. Helps a lot.
reefer_roulette t1_ixnvl4v wrote
100% fungus gnats.
You're probably over watering your plant. They are attracted to moisture and decaying matter in the soil. They're harmless to you and your plants but they're annoying as hell.
Instead of pesticides, try repotting it in drier soil with better drainage and water it less. The larva lives in the soil. Vacuum the adults (shown), clean the window area and repot.
Don't put rocks at the bottom of a pot for drainage - it leaves a pool of water for the roots to rot in and the gnats to be attracted to. You don't need stones or sand on the soil either. Use a good soil mix with perlite (the white stuff in potting soil) and stop watering so much.
uberwoots t1_ixo4ex4 wrote
Post this in the termite subreddit. I always have termites in my home. I cannot tell from this picture. I would say no to termites at first glance tho.
eastst328 t1_ixnw2yb wrote
They have made a city in your dirt. Put them outside.
86-your-enthusiasm t1_ixnsxjc wrote
Fungus gnats
Future_Ad8467 t1_ixo3o9o wrote
Just need bug spray for indoor plants.
Glucose12 t1_ixnbplc wrote
Look like aphids to me. One of your plants infested?
No_Yard_7363 t1_ixny6gy wrote
I agree definitely aphids, not fungus gnats.
MissorNoob t1_ixnhzd7 wrote
Dealt with this recently. Spray the soil with Neem oil or a sulfur based insect repellent (depending on what the plant tolerates). Turn the soil over once a day and spray again. Hang up sticky traps. Should get rid of them in less than a week. Get rid of any dead or decaying plant matter too. And don't water while you're getting rid of the insects. They hate dry environments.
kamikaziboarder t1_ixnpwzk wrote
This. We brought in our pepper plants. We sprayed the soil with neem before after one bad experience. Seems to have solved our problem. I also set up home made fruit flu traps with a small bowl. Half apple cider vinegar, half water, a drop of dish shops. Plastic wrap over the top with a few holes poked in it. They seem to have been attracted to that.
MissorNoob t1_ixnqgse wrote
Peppers for me too! I set up the cider vinegar traps as well. Good for catching the stragglers.
kamikaziboarder t1_ixnqnys wrote
Good to know this process is consistent!
woolsocksandsandals t1_ixmznf1 wrote
I don’t think these are fungus gnats. Too large. Can you get a better photo of just a couple of them? Zoom in to a little less than 50% and hold the phone about a foot away. Should get decent resolution and detail.
After that get out your vacuum and suck those things up and kill as many as you can with a swatter. If it looks like they may be from your plants get some play sand loosen the top layer with a fork and smother the top with sand then let the plants dry out and vacuum the top layer and the sand off them reapply sand and treat with a light solution of cold pressed neem.
Bkbunny87 t1_ixn821i wrote
Scrolling the first few comments is hilarious as totally different bugs are thrown out as the offending insects with confidence.
Zealousideal_Walk515 t1_ixnq90u wrote
These are fruit flies. The have traps at Home Depot. Or make your own using cider vinegar as the bait. Put traps all over the house.
Lilly6916 t1_ixofkl0 wrote
I got some great traps from Amazon as well. They’re yellow very sticky tubes that you can stand or hang. You can put cider vinegar in the base. It took awhile to clear them all. I think new generations hatched after I caught the first round.
Baremegigjen t1_ixpeqzr wrote
A bowl of vinegar with a few drops of dish detergent is a great trap for fruit flies. They’re attracted to the vinegar and the soap makes it so they can’t get out once they get in so they drown in the vinegar. Had an infestation in the kitchen and they were dead by the next day, having drowned in the vinegar.
chosen566 t1_ixmuqwq wrote
Get rid of the plants and spray the walls with bleach… done deal
[deleted] t1_ixna8rn wrote
[deleted]
xforce4life t1_ixnq7tl wrote
Am I the only one that was thinking of the Amityville Horror when i see this picture??
Lilly6916 t1_ixofpkm wrote
Nah, they had the big black flies. Probably a dead mouse somewhere.
misserlou t1_ixn2xa1 wrote
They look like termites swarming. I had this happen to my apartment because it’s an old building with little to no window insulation lol but they swarm and lose their wings when they’ve found a place to inhabit. I would call a professional
uberwoots t1_ixo492y wrote
Agreed. I have had termites multiple times. We would need a closer picture.
b3_yourself t1_ixnr3nj wrote
Clean clean clean!
Frederick_Foz t1_ixn706p wrote
Looks like fruit flies, make sure you don’t have any food lying around
danmac1152 t1_ixqdxhq wrote
Looks like fungus gnats. They usually like potted plants with overwatered soil. There’s several organic pesticides that will take care of them. AZAMax watered in and diatomaceous earth sprinkled on top of the soil liberally will take care of the adults and the larvae. They lay their eggs in the soil.
vk208 t1_ixqnx53 wrote
Not NH but in MA! I had a million of those recently once I brought in my plants for the winter. I just ended up vaccumming all of the young ones before they could lay their eggs in the soil. I also cut down the watering and added a DIY trap with sugar, dish soap and water. My infestation was gone in about 4 days. The yellow sticky traps really help too!
Amylynn860 t1_ixseqto wrote
If you get doctor bronner's peppermint soap place 20 drops in a 10 oz bottle of water. Spray the plants 2 times a day plus the soil. It won't hurt the plants..in a week they will be gone.
LaserRedstang t1_ixng01s wrote
Thank god I saw the replies about fungus gnats. I was gonna say some demonic stuff going on. 🤣😂🤣😂
Anrtherapy1 t1_ixnjlvk wrote
[deleted] t1_ixqjmm6 wrote
[deleted]
[deleted] t1_ixsecpk wrote
[deleted]
Alternative-Cry-4667 t1_ixvmxrw wrote
Lady bugs will eat them
[deleted] t1_ixvz32p wrote
[deleted]
movdqa t1_ixn5z8k wrote
They look like flying ants but it's hard to tell as you're some distance away. I'd recommend a vacuum cleaner to get rid of them in the short-term. You might need a pest control person to figure out where they are coming from if it isn't obvious.
Responsible_Team_320 t1_ixqao7p wrote
Raid!!!
[deleted] t1_ixpwwcc wrote
Hopefully child services doesn’t see this
teddyjr32378 OP t1_ixq1qku wrote
Why? They also do plant services now?
TravelingTequila t1_ixqjsgl wrote
You have an incorrect understanding of what CPS does.
No_Yard_7363 t1_ixny3sf wrote
These are definitely aphids, not fungus gnats. I have 40ish plants and have had fungus gnats on different levels for years. I just got over an aphids infestation where I had to toss an entire Aerogarden. I had the same congregation of mature aphids at my slider near the infested plants. Google mature/ flying aphids vs fungus gnats. You definitely have a plant that is infested with less mature aphids that they are feeding off of. They'll be green and crawling. Take a close look at the stems and under the leaves of all of your plants.