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I live in Vancouver
5 pots by the window include:
- rubber plant
- monstera and snake plant
- an orchid
- a green anthurium
- this new plant:
They are very small, I didn't notice they were bugs until today. I have been cleaning them away.
Some are dead, and some are walking. None are flying but they have wings.
What is it? What should I do to prevent the spread? How can I cure it in the long term?
They are still contained around the window sill. I want to get rid of them before they start flying around my home.
Should I put the plants outside?
100% fungus gnats.
The only thing that worked for me was mosquito dunks.
Soak a dunk in water for at least 24 hours. The more potent the water is, the better it will be at eradicating the larva.
It will take a few waterings since it only gets the larva at a certain stage, but eventually they'll be completely gone if you stay persistent with only watering with dunk-steeped water.
Edit: sorry this was meant for OP.
Thank you
Should I wait for the plants to get dry before I water it each time?
Nah. Just water as normal. A few doses with mosquito dunk infused water is all it will take. I find the treatment will last at least a few months to prevent them from returning. If i do see more later on just one dose in previously treated soil is enough to get rid of them.
It really depends on things like the pots, how dry the room is, sun exposure, time of year etc. but it took some time for me to figure out a watering routine.
I'll sometimes poke one of those bamboo skewers into the top third of the soil.. if it pulls out dry then I water. If it's dry past that then I make sure to give it a proper soaking.