PlantsPicker Logo
person Sign In
Anthurium andraeanum Tiny Black Flies
eco Tiny Black Flies

Anthurium andraeanum – Tiny Black Flies

Why does your Anthurium andraeanum have tiny black flies? Diagnose the cause and fix it with our step-by-step guide.

yard View full Anthurium andraeanum care guide
Jump to cause: Fungus Gnats Sciarid Flies Scale Insects (Crawling Stage)

search Possible Causes

error

Fungus Gnats

The larvae of fungus gnats live in the organic matter of the soil and feed on decaying roots and fungi. They thrive in the consistently moist, peat-heavy potting mixes commonly used for Anthuriums.

Very Common
lightbulb
How to confirm: Place a yellow sticky trap near the base of the plant to see if small black insects are attracted to it.
build How to fix it
shopping_cart Recommended Products
1 Deploy yellow sticky traps to capture the adult flying gnats and break the reproductive cycle.
Super Ninja Fungus Gnat Traps - 30 Pack
Super Ninja Fungus Gnat Traps - 30 Pack
30 pcs
$7
In Stock
2 Allow the top inch of soil to dry out completely between waterings to disrupt the larvae's moist habitat.
GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter - Blue
GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter - Blue
Water Meters
$12
In Stock
3 Repot the plant in a well-draining medium enriched with perlite to improve aeration and reduce organic decay.
Legigo Perlite 15qt
Legigo Perlite 15qt
14.2 L • Perlite
$22
In Stock
warning

Sciarid Flies

Similar to fungus gnats, these flies target high-moisture environments and can contribute to root decay in Anthuriums by spreading fungal pathogens.

Common
lightbulb
How to confirm: Check the top layer of soil for small, dark larvae moving through the substrate.
build How to fix it
shopping_cart Recommended Products
1 Deploy yellow sticky traps to capture adult flies and monitor the infestation level.
Super Ninja Fungus Gnat Traps - 30 Pack
Super Ninja Fungus Gnat Traps - 30 Pack
30 pcs
$7
In Stock
2 Reduce watering frequency and allow the top inch of soil to dry out to disrupt the larvae's high-moisture breeding environment.
GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter SMM-V3
GROWIT Soil Moisture Meter SMM-V3
Water Meters
—
3 Apply a microbial-based treatment or ensure proper soil aeration to prevent the spread of fungal pathogens to the roots.
FoxFarm Bush Doctor Microbe Brew 1 Gallon
FoxFarm Bush Doctor Microbe Brew 1 Gallon
3.8 L
$115
In Stock
warning

Scale Insects (Crawling Stage)

While not flies, some early-stage scale insects can appear as tiny dark specks that move slowly across the Anthurium leaf petioles and stems.

Common
lightbulb
How to confirm: Inspect the undersides of leaves and stem junctions for any stationary dark spots that can be scraped off with a fingernail.
build How to fix it
shopping_cart Recommended Products
1 Treat the plant with an organic insecticide spray to eliminate the crawling scale insects and protect the stems.
Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz
Bonide Captain Jack's Neem Oil 32 oz
0.9 L • 1 pcs • Organic
$10
In Stock
2 Inspect the undersides of leaves and petioles for any remaining dark specks and wipe them away with a damp cloth.
3 Improve airflow around the Anthurium by spacing it away from other plants to prevent future pest colonization.
iDavosic.ly 6-Tier Corner Plant Stand - Black
iDavosic.ly 6-Tier Corner Plant Stand - Black
Plant Stands
$47
In Stock

Other Anthurium andraeanum problems

Your plant might also be experiencing one of these issues:

eco Brown Leaf Tips chevron_right
local_hospital All symptoms eco All plants with tiny black flies
favorite