Flying insects are probably fungus gnats
I’ve tried growing peppers and onions in small pots with limited success. Lately my plants have been attracting small flying insects that are resting in the pots and on the soil. What are these insects and how do I get rid of them?
Tan Ho Kim
The insects are probably fungus gnats. The adults can be annoying; The young appear as small, translucent worms that inhabit the soil and can eat the roots of young plants, although damage is usually minimal. Their presence indicates that your growing medium is moist and rich in organic matter.
Try to let the growing medium dry out a bit before watering again. Improve soil drainage by adding gritty elements like fine pumice or expanded clay pellets. As a result, the mixture dries out faster and can improve plant growth. Constantly wet feet can prevent plants from developing healthy root systems and absorbing nutrients.
Your pepper plant looks leggy, so your plants may not be growing in optimal light conditions. Edible plants indoors grow best with at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. A lack of sunlight can also reduce a plant’s transpiration rate and the evaporation rate of its growing medium.
These growing conditions can prevent insect infestations. You can also try placing BTI anti-mosquito pellets (based on Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis) to kill any larvae present. Yellow Sticky Traps can be used to catch flying adults.
