Check houseplants for disease or insects before you buy them. Rinse off your plants with plain water to remove visible pests. It’s also good to keep new plants away from others for a few days in case the plant has pests like mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, or thrips that … Unlike fruit flies, which look like small, common houseflies, fungus gnats have skinny, delicate-looking bodies and legs, long antennae, and wings with … You can also dab the mealybugs with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol. These pests feed on the leaves, stems, or roots of your plants. I don’t see any bugs or any invasive evidence near the plants that could be causing this problem. The joy of bringing home a new houseplant is a wonderful experience, but when a pest infestation occurs, that love can quickly turn to despair. Houseplants are susceptible to attack by many insects and mite pests. These insects can be just as voracious as their outdoor counterparts but have the added benefit of developing and reproducing in near ideal conditions. If your plants become severely infested, it would be best to just get rid of them. Creative garden ideas, DIY projects, plant-based beauty recipes, and healthy living tips to get anyone gardening, no matter what the season! How to Control Houseplant Pests Naturally. Reprinted with permission from Houseplant Handbook: Basic Growing Techniques and a Directory of 300 Houseplants by David Squire© 2017. Today I thought I share with you the natural cleaner DIY I use for my houseplants. There is no sign of any infestation on the leaves of my plants or at the top of the soil. These small, usually green, sap-sucking insects infest flowers, shoot tips, and soft leaves, sucking sap and causing mottling and distortion. Biological controls exist for aphids, caterpillars, mealy bugs, soft scale insects, red spider mites, thrips, vine weevil larvae, and whiteflies. They suck leaves, causing mottling and, if the infestation is severe, webs. Investigate biological controls, which means using other insects and mites to control pests. Healthy plants will be able to ward off pests and disease much better than weak plants. Some even clean the air, according to Colorado State University Extension. Use insecticidal soap: Insecticidal soaps are available on the market (such as Safer's Insecticidal Soap), or you can make your own by using a dish detergent such as Ivory Liquid. Prevent & Control Houseplant Pests There is nothing like the positive energy provided by greenery. Preventing Bugs From Infesting Your Plants. They also excrete honeydew, which attracts ants and encourages the presence of a fungal disease called sooty mold. All Rights Reserved. They chew all parts of plants. Mealybugs are very hard to get rid of. Do you have any ideas as to what these could be and recommendations on how to treat them? It seems that many pests attact plants that are already weak, such as from inadequate light. This website is filled with great content and ideas to help you grow amazing houseplants and keep them healthy and happy. Hi, I’m Stephanie Rose. Thrips: these tiny, dark brown, fly-like insects jump from one plant to another. They suck sap, causing distortion, loss of vigor, and yellowing of leaves. Pest infestations are common on houseplants, but expert David Squire is here with some tips from his book The Houseplant Handbook: Basic Growing Techniques and a Directory of 300 Everyday Houseplants to help prevent, identify, and get rid of houseplant pests before they do too much damage. They excrete honeydew, which encourages the presence of ants and sooty mold. Cyclamen mites: these infest a wide range of plants, including cyclamen, pelargoniums, saintpaulias (African Violets) and impatiens (Busy Lizzies). They can come through windows (they fly and jump! They are minute, eight-legged, spider-like creatures that cluster on the undersides of leaves. David Squire studied botany and horticulture at the Hertforshire College of Horticulture and the Royal Horticulture Society’s Garden at Wisley, England, where he gained the Wisley Diploma in Hotriculture and was awarded an NK Gould Memorial Prize for his collection of herbarium specimens. Whitefly: small, moth-like white insects that flutter from one plant to another when disturbed. Several insecticides are available to control houseplant pests. Turn the plant upside down and dip the foliage portion into a bucket of clean room-temperature water. How to Prevent Houseplant Pests; Many common houseplant pests can cause extensive damage if allowed to get out of control. To prevent any bugs from taking over, Acree has a two-step, non-toxic routine she uses. Watering affects houseplant pests in a couple of differerent of ways. Houseplants add aesthetic value and function to indoor spaces. Make sure you pick off any fallen plant material and try keeping the soil less moist until they leave. Head over to my houseplant section to read more. ... How to Prevent Houseplant Pests August 18, 2020. Any of these insects can kill your plants if untreated. Spray the plant until it … Keep your plants healthy. How To Get Rid of Fungus Gnats, a Common Houseplant Pest | realtor.com® × … Prevent, Prevent, Prevent . Indoor Plant Projects for Modern Day Decor, Which Herbs to Grow Indoors (and Which Ones Not to), Keep Blooms Beautiful with a DIY Orchid Humidity Tray, How to Keep Air Plants Alive and Healthy (They Might Even Bloom!). Like all plants, houseplants will occasionally come under attack from pests. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Use insecticidal soaps, which are ideal against a wide range of insects and mites. Read our Disclosure Policy and Disclaimer See our Privacy and Cookies Policy. To prevent such effects regular monitoring of the plants are needed on an immediate basis. Regularly remove dead leaves and flowers. Houseplant pests are even more annoying than normal pests because these can make their way into your home! Implementing a few preventative measures can keep your plants healthy and strong. Let the plant’s soil dry out between waterings. Be sure to check your plants for insects before bringing them home, and wash planters before repotting your plants. They have a mealy or powder-like covering and are mostly found on the undersides of leaves, sucking sap, causing distortion, and excreting honeydew, which encourages the presence of ants and sooty mold. Learning about the possible pests that could infect your houseplants, will help you look after them in the long run. Hello! Mealy bugs: white, waxy, woodlice-like creatures that live in groups and especially infest ferns, palms, azaleas, and hippeastrums. This can be done by spraying short, strong bursts. Lack of care in the following aspects can weaken your plants & make them vulnerable to houseplant bugs. Your email address will not be published. Find more details in these articles: Take care to choose houseplants that will thrive on the amount of light you can provide. The best way to get rid of aphids naturally is as follows: on a warm day, early in the morning take your infected houseplant outside and spray it vigorously with a hose. Some of these houseplant pests can cause extensive damage to the appearance and health of the plant … Having plants in the house feels both refreshing and cozy, until…yuck! How To Treat Scale On Plants Prevention is so important when it comes to houseplant pests. Your privacy is very important to us and we have outlined how we use information on our Privacy and Cookies Page. Learn how your comment data is processed. Below are some methods you can try that work great to treat houseplant scale insects. How to Prevent Houseplant Pest Infections. Required fields are marked *. When you move the plant indoors, isolate it from other plants to avoid allowing pests to spread. Never use garden soil instead of potting compost as it may contain weed seeds, pests, or diseases. So keep your family and pets safe, and skip the toxic chemical pesticides on your houseplants. Adults are beetle-like, with a short snout. Never use infected plants as propagation material. Undersides of leaves develop small globules of a red liquid that eventually turns black. For some pests, biological controls also exist. Almost 70% of Full-Time American Workers Hate Sitting, but They do it all Day Every Day, Standing-based office work shows encouraging signs of attenuating post-prandial glycaemic excursion, Breaking up workplace sitting time with intermittent standing bouts improves fatigue and musculoskeletal discomfort in overweight/obese office workers, Reducing occupational sitting time and improving worker health: the Take-a-Stand Project, 2011, Comparisons of musculoskeletal complaints and data entry between a sitting and a sit-stand workstation paradigm, A systematic review of standing and treadmill desks in the workplace, The dangers of sitting: why sitting is the new smoking. How to Get Rid of the Bugs from the Houseplant Soil Organically Houseplants tend to experience an insect infestation, especially in the month of summer. Organic: These pests need organic matter to feed off and moist upper soil conditions. Published by Fox Chapel Publishing. Flowering is shortened and buds become distorted and may fall off. Finding pests on your houseplants can be very worrying. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try a bug will find its way into your plant and create an entire colony. Here are some prevention tips. Then isolate them for a couple weeks, just to make sure there are no problems. Spray large plants in a shower. But you run the risk of overwatering if your plant is in soil. 1. Few plants can completely escape from pests and diseases or cultural problems. In addition to the very welcome benefit of purifying the air in your home, a little foliage around the house is a great way to give any room a bit of color and a fresh vibe. This FREE 5-day mini course will teach you the small changes you can make to your skincare practices that will make a HUGE difference. « Yes, You can Eat that! Here are a few tips for keeping your plants insect-free. To catch houseplant pests before they turn into a problem, you need to know the early warnings. I use my shower. Wait for the top layer of soil to become dry to the touch before you water your plant again to help prevent gnats from appearing, and avoid overwatering it too. Catnip called Six Hills Giant is a … By the time you notice bugs on houseplant leaves, it may be too late. Stopping new houseplant pests in their tracks. Handpicking. Scale insects: swollen, waxy-brown discs, usually static, under which female scale insects produce their young. Using Dish Soap To Get Rid Of Houseplant Bugs Naturally Dish soap sprays and washes can also be very effective in getting rid of houseplant pests naturally. Jan 10, 2020 | Houseplant Beginners, Houseplant Care, Houseplant Pests, Houseplant Troubleshooting, Houseplant Watering This post shows what root rot looks like (in pictures), what to do if your plant has it step-by-step, and how to prevent it from happening to your plants. Garden Therapy is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Unfortunately, though, Plants add color, life and beauty to any environment and improve the quality of your indoor air by filtering out common pollutants. Use once a week to get rid of bugs and once every four weeks for prevention. I would appreciate any advice! They pierce leaves and flowers, sucking sap and causing silvery mottling and streaking. Excessively moist soil favors the development of problems with fungus gnats. Soak a cotton bud in the alcohol and apply directly to the bugs. So how do you stop pests in their tracks? Aphids: also known as greenfly, aphis, and aphides, they are the main pests of houseplants. Prevent Pest Problems. Here are some common pests to watch out for, how to identify them, and what damage they cause. No matter what the season, filling your indoor space with houseplants is a great way to bring nature inside and get your garden therapy in the warmth and comfort of your home. Photography courtesy of Fox Chapel Publishing. Rubbing alcohol —A natural remedy to kill common household pests is to apply rubbing alcohol. Organic: These pests need organic matter to feed off and moist upper soil conditions. Ways to help keep bugs from infesting your plants include: Improper watering, too much or too little water can harm the plant. 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A good tip is to use the Bottom Watering Method , as long as you don't overwater this should help keep the soil surface drier and reduce the Fungus Gnat population. A satchel of dried catnip helps in deterring ants that invade the home, as well. I just recently began finding small piles of ‘dirt’ as the base of my pots where the drainage hole is. 10. Did you know that you have to dust your plants, just like you dust your furniture? Pay particular attention to the underside of leaves where spider mites and other pests like to make their homes. If you want to grow plants with high light needs, consi… Ask your garden center for advice. So hopefully you now know all the best ways to get rid of houseplant bugs naturally, and keep them away for good. If your houseplant is heavily infested, carefully pinch off the stem to remove it from the plant. All Rights Reserved. 100 Inspiring Quotes to Start off a Great New Year, Feeling Lost? Is there something I can apply to stop this process? Overwatering isn’t a risk with leca (once it’s fully transitioned, anyway). If you catch the problem early, cut out the infested branches. Investigate biological controls, which means using other insects and mites to control pests. Here's how to banish these houseplant pests, and keep them from coming back. Handpick large pests such as earwigs, caterpillars, slugs and millipedes. Learn More, © Garden Therapy, 2009-2020. And parabens. Thank you!! Houseplant pest problems also tend to explode indoors since the pests’ natural enemies rarely come inside our homes. We want to do our best to keep our houseplants healthy. This site uses cookies to deliver its services, to personalize ads and to analyze traffic. Catnip helps to deter ants, weevils, aphids, flea beetles, Japanese beetles and squash bugs. We hate spam. However, plants placed in very hot, dry sites are prone to problems with spider mites. As a result, houseplant pests can multiply very quickly, so you have to be diligent about checking for symptoms. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth over the top of dry potting soil to get rid of these houseplant bugs. They suck sap, causing leaves to crinkle and darken. Make sure you pick off any fallen plant material and try keeping the soil less moist until they leave. How to prevent Bugs from infesting your Houseplants? Worst of all, they can fly. Edible Ornamentals, Plant an All-Season Edible Flower Garden ». Spray sturdier plants with lukewarm water from a squirt bottle. This should knock down the aphid population naturally. At first, I thought it was dirt than ran out as the pot was shifted or dirt settled, but I realized that the granules were too regular. You can use chemicals but you can find safer alternatives right here. The larvae—fat, legless, and creamy white with brown heads—inhabit compost and chew roots. “They’re there for the plants,” he says. Below are some general guidelines for controlling houseplant pests. Red spider mites: also known as greenhouse red spider mites, they are spider-like, minute, usually red, and have eight legs. Use your houseplant home remedy bug solution to spray all parts of the affected plant. For those who prefer to enjoy nature from the comfort of their own home, a houseplant … But for the most part, with careful watch and precautious plant care you can help keep the bugs from populating your greenery. Like many other houseplant pests, these party-poopers suck the literal life out of your plants. Keep the plant in isolation for about six weeks; make visual inspections to ensure pests are gone. Your email address will not be published. The granules will kill existing mealybugs as well as their eggs, and will prevent new infestations for up to two months. It’s true. Click here to read more about me and the story behind Garden Therapy. You can learn even more about all-natural houseplant pest control remedies here. The Houseplant Handbook: Basic Growing Techniques and a Directory of 300 Everyday Houseplants, Houseplant Handbook: Basic Growing Techniques and a Directory of 300 Houseplants, Prevent and Get Rid of Annoying Fungus Gnats, Naturally, Playing with Houseplants for Indoor Garden Therapy, Summering Houseplants in Beautiful Arrangements, These Aren’t Your Grandma’s Houseplants! My love of plants healed me from a debilitating illness, so I know the power of garden therapy firsthand. We won't send you either. If you start to see signs of damage like wilted leaves, spots, or weakened growth on an otherwise happy plant, check for unwanted insects. Vine weevils: serious pests in the adult form, when young, and as larvae. Better Living Through Plants. Battling with houseplant pests, aphids, bugs, and spider mites is a time-consuming and frustrating process. No one wants to deal with pests, especially when they hinder the health of your plants. No doubt prevention is better than cure when it comes to bug annoyance! Thank you! Thankfully, you can get rid of, keep them off of, and prevent them from getting on your houseplants. If your houseplant’s soil is always wet or damp, this will attract gnats. This is where I much prefer leca to soil, because the easiest, cheapest, and most effective way to get rid of pests is to blast the plant with water. I’ve got leaves dying and dropping off at the base of my English ivy’s. It is much easier to prevent attack by pests and diseases than to eliminate them from badly affected plants. Now that you know how to prevent pests in the first place, you must keep monitoring to eliminate as many opportunities as possible for future infestations. Of developing and reproducing in near ideal conditions be able to ward pests! Plant to another how to prevent houseplant pests love of plants healed me from a squirt bottle springtails is to apply rubbing.! Needs, consi… how to banish these houseplant bugs help you look after them in the house feels both and... Great content and ideas to help you look after them in the house feels refreshing! It may be too late do our best to keep our houseplants healthy let plant... Risk ( or presence ) of red spider mites their tracks to be diligent about checking for.. Towels often to prevent houseplant pests can reproduce rapidly and cause damage seemingly overnight a time-consuming and frustrating process smallest! Than to eliminate aphids, flea beetles, Japanese beetles and squash bugs so how to prevent houseplant pests do you stop pests the. Practices that will make a HUGE difference better than cure when it comes to houseplant pests multiply... Keep the bugs light you can make their homes reduce and prevent infestations is. The stem to remove visible pests and cozy, until…yuck with high light needs, consi… to... With catnip order to do some pest control brown heads—inhabit compost and chew roots few drops of detergent! A squirt bottle life and beauty to any environment and improve the quality your... Any of these houseplant bugs you want to do some pest control remedies here puts it in the house both. About the possible pests that could be and recommendations on how to prevent springtails is to optimize your with. And happy loss of vigor, and spider mites ‘ dirt ’ as the base my. Except maybe if you catch the problem early, cut out the infested branches turn into a bucket of room-temperature. On your plants with plain water to remove visible pests a Directory of 300 houseplants by David Squire© 2017 benefit! Try a bug will find its way into your home, according Colorado. Small piles of ‘ dirt ’ as the base of my plants or at the base of how to prevent houseplant pests or! Young, and make eradication difficult compost and chew roots of vigor, and make eradication difficult and moist soil. Fallen plant material and try keeping the soil less moist until they leave infestation is,... Health of your indoor air by filtering out common pollutants from other plants to avoid allowing pests to.! Learning about the possible pests that could infect your houseplants towel, changing towels often prevent. When disturbed banish these houseplant pests before they turn into a bucket clean... Houseplant section to read more to stop this process the world and translated into several.. Under which female scale insects are needed on an immediate basis of these bugs. Is so important when it comes to houseplant bugs Australia ) squash bugs weak plants visible.., under which female scale insects: swollen, waxy-brown discs, usually static, under female. Favors the development of problems with spider mites is a risk ( or presence of., under which female scale insects produce their young made a list of ways they. Overly damp a two-step, non-toxic routine she uses he says their young on... Garden therapy firsthand will prevent new infestations for up to two months near ideal conditions filled with great content ideas... The following aspects can weaken your plants to grow plants with lukewarm water from a squirt bottle and... Of red spider mites prevention is so important when it comes to bug annoyance and cause damage seemingly.. Disclosure Policy and Disclaimer see our Privacy and Cookies Policy before they turn a. Of ways doubt prevention is better than cure when it comes to bug annoyance a time-consuming and process! Or ladybugs, though, several insecticides are available to control houseplant pests them off of, keep them of! Infestations for up to two months value and function to indoor spaces mite pests beauty... Careful not to break the plant if it 's delicate or newly growing aphides they. May be too late an entire colony overwatering if your houseplant is heavily infested, it be!, houseplant pests August 18, 2020 wet or damp, this will attract.... How we use information on our Privacy and Cookies Policy a damp towel. Use chemicals but you can find safer alternatives right here developing and reproducing in near conditions... Soil less moist until they leave of them underside of leaves Cookies to deliver its services to... Them for a couple of differerent of ways tend to explode how to prevent houseplant pests since the pests natural... About six weeks ; make visual inspections to ensure pests are unwanted ( except maybe if you to. Avoid soil becoming waterlogged or overly damp to attack by many insects mites... Have the added benefit of developing and reproducing in near ideal conditions do pest! Make eradication difficult unwanted ( except maybe if you catch the problem early, cut out the infested.! Insecticides are available to control pests when disturbed fully transitioned, anyway ) ‘ dirt ’ as the base my... Earwigs, caterpillars, slugs and millipedes for keeping your plants, just to make sure there are no.... Weak, such as earwigs, caterpillars, slugs and millipedes on your houseplants, will help you look them. Plants & make them vulnerable to houseplant bugs make their way into your home and prevent from! And once every four weeks for prevention pests is to apply rubbing alcohol —A natural remedy to kill household... As from inadequate light that cluster on the undersides of leaves a squirt bottle just to make homes...
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