How to Get Rid of Black Flies on Indoor Plants

Little black flying insects that live and swarm around your houseplants are usually gnats. These bugs love the moisture in the soil and decaying plant matter. They also love soil and fertilizer with high amounts of organic matter. You can keep them away with proper plant care, but may have to treat a serious infestation with an insecticide. Gnats are annoying to look at but do not damage the plants.

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Pyrethroid-based insecticide

Instructions

- 1
  Dry out the top 1 or 2 inches of soil by watering carefully. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. This is healthy for the plants by preventing root rot and stops the gnats from reproducing. Continue this practice to avoid having gnats return.
- 2
  Remove any excess water from the tray underneath the plant after you water. This still water will attract gnats and keep the soil excessively moist.
- 3
  Prune away any dead plant material as you see it. Dead flowers, stems and leaves provide food for gnats, so you are removing their food source.
- 4
  Apply a pyrethroid-based insecticide according to the package instructions, if you have a serious infestation and the gnats won't go away with careful plant management. Repeat the treatments every three days for several weeks to kill the gnats in all their phases of development.

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