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What to do with indoor potting mix with white flies?

today I opened a new bag of Scotts Osmocote 10L Indoor Plants Premium Potting Mix which I bought a week ago and noticed small white flies in the mix.

Could you please advise on what I should do? Should I discard the mix entirely, or is there a recommended treatment I can apply before using it for repotting?

Thank you for your assistance, and I look forward to your guidance.

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Comments

Jason

Hi @Lolla,

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's great to have you join us and we look forward to reading all about your projects and plans for around the house and garden.

Let me tag one of our resident garden experts in @Noelle to see if she can share her experience with you.

Jason

Noelle

Hi @Lolla

Leave the top of the bag open, or pour the mix out on to a small tarpaulin, and allow it to aerate in a shaded spot outdoors for a few days - any insects in the mix will dissipate.

The mix will be OK to use. If you are concerned about any reappearance after use in pots, drench the mix with a solution of eco-neem diluted as directed on the label.

It's not uncommon for compost-based potting mixes to have infestations of fungus gnats which are small black flying insects but they do not usually affect indoor potting mixes as these are not made from composted materials. Small white flies would be quite uncommon.

Lolla

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/47607#Comment_47607

Hi @Noelle Thank you for your reply and advice.

Lolla

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/47604#Comment_47604

@Jason , Thank you

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