A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 Fungus Gnats!!! GAHHH!

I realize that I am referring to the Venus Fly Trap, but I think that this would be the best place to post this.

My brother just gave me his Venus Flytrap, because he was tired of it doing nothing. It is still in the pot and lid it came with, and he didn't give it any water, or anything. I opened it up and a few Gnats (i looked them up online, I think they are fungus knats) flew out! I tried to find them to keep them away from my other plants, but no luck. I closed the lid and placed the entire thing in a Ziplock bag, and I can see a small 'worm' (for lack of a better word) crawling in a trap! I am going to try and change the soil ASAP, but is there anything else I can do??? HELP!!!

PS- Will they spread to my other plants!!!???

I put potato slices on my plant and they all went away. Try and leave them on for a couple of days. I am so happy mine are gone! gg

They can spread to other plants.....they especially like wet soil.....so it's usually a good idea to try to let your plants dry out a bit. I hate when I get them in here, they are so hard to get rid of! :p

Here's a link to some fungus gnat links....
fungus gnats

I am going to try and change the soil and leave the infected plant outside for a little bit. Would that work, or should I also use the potato slices? Thanks for the replies!

Venus Flytraps MUST be kept wet. Do NOT allow it to dry out. Take the top off and set the plant in a shallow tray of water. It needs full sun and really should be outside. It needs winter dormancy as well.
Also don't feed the plant at all.

A Google search will teach you a lot, there are several excellent CP forums.

Tom