Bugs in house plants?

My friend gave me allot of house plants.... the problem is there are little black gnats in them. Allot of them. How do I get rid of the bugs without killing the plants?

Bugs in house plants?
If you live somewhere warm enough, you can set them outside. Birds will eat the bugs, as will other bugs. Mist them well with water that has had a few drops of dish soap added to it. Soak the leaves pretty well and this should kill the bugs :)
Reply:First thing I would do is re pot all the plants. The old soil in these house plants is depleted of its natural minerals ...

Before putting any 'new' soil into the pots:

1- wash all the pots in hot soapy water

rinse in clear water ridding of any soap



2- let pots air dry completely be for usage again



3- All ways use a sterile potting soil for your house plants.



The fact there are little flies on the house plants, also ;

Take a very small amount of dish soap in water, place in squirt bottle %26amp; spray the UNDERSIDES of the plant leaves.

Not alot, just a mist will do, this too should help.

Hopes this will help! Good Luck!
Reply:These flies are probably Fungus Gnats. the soil in these plants may have been over-watered or over dried at one point. An excellent non-chemical solution is to simply place a 1/2 inch layer of sand on top of the soil in every plant. This will prevent the flies from breeding in the moist soil and not allow the larva to pupate. The flies will take 7-14 days to subside. Throughout this period you can water the plants right through the sand! When the flies are gone, take a shop-vac (wet-dry vacuum) and remove the sand from the top of the soil.