snc

Is there a certain type of horticultural oil that any one uses on their banana plants indoors to get rid of the dog peter flies (actually fruit flies) that hover around the soil and plants? Used some on other plants but did not know if bananas were sensitive to one type vs another. thanks in advance.

Randy4ut

Are you sure you are not seeing "fungus gnats"? By your description, it sounds as if that is what you have. If so, try getting some mosquito "dunks", break them up and dissolve them in water. Once dissolved, give the soil in the pot a good drenching. You may have to do this every couple of weeks and hopefully this will remedy your problem. Actually, if it is fungus gnats, they will not harm your mature plant. Seedlings are a different story from what I understand....

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snc

Thanks Randy, have them in other pots in the house and in the past but never this bad and never with ill effects on teh plants, wife just does not like having little flies/gnats hover around her while trying to enjoy a bath. They always seem appear after using any variety of miracle grow soils.

Richard

For a big infestation, use the Earth-Gro brand sold at Home Depot and other stores. Great stuff for insect-loving birds. Just pour out the bag in a protected spot in your yard. The mockingbirds and pheobies will love you for it!

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CookieCows

I am so glad to hear you say that! I noticed the very same thing with miracle grow soil! I thought it was my imagination or a coincidence. I think it smells funny too. It's expensive anyway so I got two big plastic trash cans with lids that I keep garden soil and peat moss and a bag of sand on the back porch.

I also get an infestation of gnats when I bring home a new tropical plant from the store that's in the spaghum moss. I think I'll do that mosquito dunk next time I bring home a new plant before I repot it.

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