Hello! I got red pepper and jalapeño pepper plants that have been growing remarkably well indoors, on my window. They've grown about 3-4 inches in three weeks. However, in the 10 days I've noticed tiny black flies residing on the soil and flying around the leaves. There are also some really tiny black spots on the back of the leaves (only a few leaves). I'm wondering if these are fungus gnats, but I can't really tell. Can someone help me identify them? And are they dangerous to the plant? I'm a new gardener and these are my first attempt at growing veggies. Unfortunately, I don't have a great track record with plants. Would appreciate any tips. Does anyone have a herbal remedy to get rid of these flies? Also, am I overwatering the plant? Thank you!!
What soil are they growing in ? Have you fertilized with anything ?? Like compost tea ? Moisture on the surface is usually the culprit for these gnats. Any kind of hot pepper does better with a soil that is only barely damp. My suggestion is to put the plant where it can get some direct sunlight and dry the surface out a bit. You may need to do this in stages of about an hour or two in mottled shade and some sun. and gradually increase the time as well as the amount of direct sun. I have never heard of gnats of any kind harming a plant but let a few others chime in. How often are you watering it? Are you going to continue growing them inside? If so they need to be in a larger pot.
For inside probs a small cup of apple cider vinegar sitting close usually attracts the gnats away from a plant and to the bugs death....glug.....glug.... Outside I doubt it? Never tried... I use hot pepper wax spray on all my stuff.
