Gnats and maggots

[siriusmk]

Recently I have noticed gnats flying in my apartment. As I was watering my orchids, I noticed little tiny maggots surfacing from the potting medium for air. I suppose these gnats have been laying eggs in my potting medium. Arg! Has anyone else had issues with gnats and maggots infesting the potting medium? I have about 15 phals and 3 cymbidiums and I'm positive every one of them is infested with maggots. :-(:-( Will they eat away the roots or leaves? I have not noticed any leaf damage yet. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

They are fungus gnats and eat fungus. Your mix may be ready to be replaced. In the mean time, you can buy Mosquito Dunks at a home center and put one in the watering can you are using, and the biological organisms in these dunks will kill the larve. I haven't tried it yet myself, just passinjg on what I have heard.

[Maddy]

I've never had them harm a plant, but they are incredibly annoying. Letting you pots dry out a little more than usual between a couple of waterings (provided your plants can stand it) is also supposed to help.