I had a problem with fruit flies recently but got rid of them. I noticed what looks like small fruit flies hanging around some plants.
Well, I just potted up meyer lemon in my new tree pot & there were LOTS of these little bugs in the soil. Looks like tiny fruit flies - whitish color. Then I guess when they get a little bigger they fly out of soil. What the heck are these? Gnats? Are they eating roots? I may have to repot everything if I see these bugs around the soil. I am now baking some reserve potting mix at 375* for about an hour to sterilize it. It's left over from last time I repotted to add chc's
BTW, congratulate me for getting the boot on GW For no reason! I tried to respond to a stupid question Toni posted - it won't let me LOL, & also noticed my last postings got deleted. They were'nt even bad. Isn't it funny that AAE & Toni are here all the time reading up so they can learn something? So glad you started this new forum Laaz!

Well, the soil is sterilized but this house STINKS. Even with exhaust on PHOOEY

Laaz: Um, I can still see the "names"...

Patty_in_Wisc: I think your bugs might be fungus gnats. Doesn't cooking dirt inside really STINK! I'm not allowed to do that anymore. Now I have to cook it on the grill outside, waaay downwind of the house

You may be seeing fungus gnats...if in fact that's what your critters are (or were) they're common in potting media rich in organics. Generally they aren't much of a problem 'tho the larvae can feed on tender plant roots as well as the organic content. You can use insecticides as a soil drench or biological control such as nematodes or other predators. Letting the soil dry between watering helps too. I introduced "beneficial nematodes" into a couple of large potted plants (that had fungus gnats) in the gh this fall and within a week there were hardly any to be seen. Ladiesinred.com is a web site that deals in beneficial insects, Gardens Alive and others sell them as well.

Sorry Laaz --I see what you mean. You can delete that last paragraph.

I am not over to CHCs yet (do they help?) If i see a lot of them, I know its time for me to run my small house fan pointed at the plants for a little while. they seem to stay on the soil, unlike fruit flies, who follow juice or beer around the house!&@#&^!%$@# things!

Garnet, growers that grow in CHC do not have fungus gnats. The reason is because the top inch dries quickly. There is some relearning of when to water CHC mixes, they do dry differently, particulary at the surface of the pot where they dry much faster. Another variable is how the CHC holds the water. Much more water is held within the center of the fiber chunk, and drying on the surface, as oppposed to bark which tends to hold more at the surface. - Millet

Yes, I have learned to water LIGHTLY in winter using chc's versus a real soaking. They do hold water in center & if it feels dry 1st few inches or so, I only water enough to get the top wet & not drain out. In summer I will thoroghly water to saturate & drain. I learned that those chc's really do hold a lot of moisture at roots!.