Why do I have flies?

[jtcn1965]

Hello all, I am growing in coco and absolutely do not over water. If anything I wait too long between watering. But yet I have a few flies, why? I thought with coco they don't have a breeding ground?

[Tersky]

Coco can be a breeding ground for fungus gnats. I fight them every once and a while. I use DE (diatomaceous earth) for medium pests. Usually what i do is mix some in with the coco/perlite mix and also sprinkle a layer on top if i see fliers.

If the medium is dry then the fliers could be coming from somewhere else and may be checking out you plants, so you may want to see if there is another source for the fliers and nix that. I do recommend the DE on top as that will stop any from landing on your medium and laying eggs.

[Gingerbeard]

Also circulation. Get yourself a fan blowing around your plants. Especially the top of the soil. It'll keep fliers from landing.

[Mr.furley]

Also a 1/2" to 1" of Perlite will keep them from "liking" your medium. Get some yellow sticky traps.

what kind of flies? Houseflies? Nats? Thrips? Horseflies?