Getting rid of flies on houseplants?

I was told by someone working in a garden centre that coffee grounds were good for houseplants, so I got some and put them in the plants' compost. Since then, I've been plagued with tiny black flies (they look like fruit flies). I keep a clean house (we Virgos are like that!) and I've repotted the plants in normal compost. Despite using bug spray, and the fact that I keep my fruit in the fridge, they're still around and that just BUGS me! They seem to like one plant in particular (a peace lily), and I've used spray on it but nothing seems to work. Putting the plant outside worked for a while, but that's not practical in the winter. I can't leave a drink for 5 sec without finding one or more of them in my drink! Any suggestions to get rid of these pests would be greatly appreciated!

Getting rid of flies on houseplants?
take any dead leaves of the compst and then pour very hot water on the compost i have done this before and it has worked 2 out of 3 times
Reply:Put one teaspoon bleach into one gallon of water. Pour this over the soil three times and all fungus gnats should disappear.
Reply:You could try spraying rubbing alcohol on them. That seems to work for white flied (aphids). It doesn't hurt the plant. This only works if you take the plant outside and then spray it.
Reply:I am a florist and all I can recommend is try repotting the plant again making sure you get lots of soil off the root ball. Also wipe the plant all over with a cotton wool ball dipped in warm water.


But if this fails I would throw it out. Sorry.
Reply:I generally use watered down fairy liquid in a spray bottle it get rid of green fly (so my old grandad used to say) so maybe it will work on the little black fly also








best of luck
Reply:Keep the pot free of dead leaves out pot.
Reply:What you have are Fungus gnats! They are a royal pain in the_!


I have them right now, as well. They usually are from over watering of plants. Peace Lillies are notorious for getting them. I have a degree in horticulture and I STILL can't get rid of them. They do sell a granular insecticide that you apply to the soil, but it's pretty toxic smelling and it's not recommended if you have any pets or small children. I'd like to know the answer myself!
Reply:This may sound stupid, and I have to admit it has always been a hit or miss practice for me, but try surrounding the plant by hanging two or three flypapers close to it for about a week, making sure the base of each flypaper is lower then the rim of the pot.





Obviously you don't want to have ugly looking flypapers dangling in full view of everyone so I would suggest moving it away from it's current location to somewhere that is dry and away from condensation.





What should happen is that the flypaper should attract the pests and over a short period of time it will destroy the breeding base of the insect on your plant. Don't be afraid of attaching more flypapers or leaving for longer if you can't see any results after a week.





If you still have the problem come spring, then introduce a couple of Ladybirds to your plant.