Question
I wish I had come across your website a long time ago.  It would have saved me a lot of grief.
I have three Venus Flytrap plants that I have planted in your recommended soil mixture.  I keep the pot in a saucer of water at all times and give the plants at least 8 hours of direct, outdoor sunlight a day.  The plants are flourishing but lately I've noticed the soil around the plants are infested with numerous small flies - similar to fruit-flies.  Can you recommend an insecticide that will take care of this problem without harming the plants?

Answer
Hi Jackson,

Yes, those critters can be quite annoying.  It's likely that they are fungus gnats.  These guys can be a true pest since they lay eggs in the soil.  The larvae then munches on available plant material.  In your case, this would be your flytraps' roots!  We've lost many plants over the years to these critters.

To get rid of them immediately, use any water-based insecticide that contains pyrethrin, a naturally derived substance.  Safer?brand makes a great prepared solution, and you can find it at any garden center.  Just avoid the soap-based insecticides which will potentially have an adverse effect with carnivorous plants.

Spray the soil in a manner directed by the manufacturer.  Do this in early evening since the product breaks down in sunlight.  You will need to reapply in 7 days, even if you don't see any gnats.  You do this to ensure that any larvae that hatched after the initial spraying is also killed off.  After that, apply as needed.

Good growing!
Jacob Farin