Question
Hi, I had a container with petunias in the kitchen, until yesterday it was fine, all of a sudden my house has quite a few house flies flying around? could they be coming from the flowers? As I took the container outside tonight, so hopefully some of these flies will disappear, I cannot keep up with killing them all......any suggestions?

thanks

Answer
It would be my guess that it is the soil and not the flowers that the flies are attracted to. This is especially true if the soil contains steer manure, or bat guano, or mushroom compost, which many of the potting soils do. You may not smell it, but the flies do, particularly if it is wet.  I suggest that you leave it out side for now. As the temperatures go down, the flies will be less active, and you can bring it back in. You can also try spraying and swating the flies, if it is important for you to have the petunias in the house.