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To prevent fruit flies from infesting your houseplant compost, it’s important to maintain a proper balance of green and brown materials in the compost. Green materials, such as fruit and vegetable scraps, provide nitrogen, while brown materials, such as dried leaves and twigs, provide carbon. A good rule of thumb is to use a 2:1 ratio of brown to green materials.
If fruit flies have already infested your houseplant compost, there are a few steps you can take to get rid of them. One method is to create a trap using a jar filled with apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish soap. The fruit flies will be attracted to the vinegar and will drown in the soap. Another method is to use a vacuum cleaner to suck up the adult flies and any larvae.
Another long term solution is to use a soil based compost such as John Innes compost, with houseplants you such normally use John Inness compost number 2 ( the higher or lower the number related to the level of fertiliser or nutrients in the compost )
John Innes compost is a soil-based compost that is made from a blend of loam, peat, and sand, along with other ingredients like grit and fertilisers. Unlike other types of compost that are made purely from organic matter, John Innes compost contains a mix of inorganic and organic materials. This balance of materials creates an environment that is less attractive to fruit flies, which are typically drawn to the decomposing organic matter in traditional compost.
Furthermore, the ingredients in John Innes compost are carefully selected and sterilised before being blended together. This sterilisation process helps to kill off any pests or pathogens that may be present in the compost, including fruit flies and their larvae. As a result, John Innes compost is less likely to harbour fruit flies and other pests that can be problematic for houseplants.
Overall, using John Innes compost for your houseplants can be an effective way to prevent fruit fly infestations. While it may involve repotting your plants, the benefits of using a high-quality soil-based compost like John Innes can be well worth the effort
