how to prevent houseplant pests

how to prevent houseplant pests

Use insecticidal soaps, which are ideal against a wide range of insects and mites. They chew all parts of plants. So how do you stop pests in their tracks? 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. But for the most part, with careful watch and precautious plant care you can help keep the bugs from populating your greenery. If you want to grow plants with high light needs, consi… Be sure to test before using one of these homemade soap sprays on your plants. Unlike fruit flies, which look like small, common houseflies, fungus gnats have skinny, delicate-looking bodies and legs, long antennae, and wings with … Organic: These pests need organic matter to feed off and moist upper soil conditions. Never use garden soil instead of potting compost as it may contain weed seeds, pests, or diseases. To catch houseplant pests before they turn into a problem, you need to know the early warnings. It’s true. Houseplant pests can come through various ways. Never use infected plants as propagation material. Organic: These pests need organic matter to feed off and moist upper soil conditions. In most cases all house pests are unwanted (except maybe if you live in Australia). Sometimes, no matter how hard you try a bug will find its way into your plant and create an entire colony. Thank you! ... How to Prevent Houseplant Pests August 18, 2020. Prevention is so important when it comes to houseplant pests. Healthy plants will be able to ward off pests and disease much better than weak plants. Vine weevils: serious pests in the adult form, when young, and as larvae. Adults are beetle-like, with a short snout. Houseplants add aesthetic value and function to indoor spaces. Undersides of leaves develop small globules of a red liquid that eventually turns black. 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. They can come through windows (they fly and jump! Learn More, © Garden Therapy, 2009-2020. 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. Thank you!! This should knock down the aphid population naturally. Get seasonal garden & craft ideas sent to you weekly. Overwatering isn’t a risk with leca (once it’s fully transitioned, anyway). Learn how your comment data is processed. They also excrete honeydew, which attracts ants and encourages the presence of a fungal disease called sooty mold. 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. How To Treat Scale On Plants Some of these houseplant pests can cause extensive damage to the appearance and health of the plant … Stopping new houseplant pests in their tracks. Thrips: these tiny, dark brown, fly-like insects jump from one plant to another. This can be done by spraying short, strong bursts. Mist plants with clean water where there is a risk (or presence) of red spider mites. 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. Prevent, Prevent, Prevent . Here's how to banish these houseplant pests, and keep them from coming back. 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! Turn the plant upside down and dip the foliage portion into a bucket of clean room-temperature water. Handpicking. No doubt prevention is better than cure when it comes to bug annoyance! Having plants in the house feels both refreshing and cozy, until…yuck! Avoid leaving dead flowers and leaves around plants. Houseplants are susceptible to attack by many insects and mite pests. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth over the top of dry potting soil to get rid of these houseplant bugs. It is much easier to prevent attack by pests and diseases than to eliminate them from badly affected plants. If you start to see signs of damage like wilted leaves, spots, or weakened growth on an otherwise happy plant, check for unwanted insects. You could have a perfect score for handling new plants, so you do not bring houseplant pests home when you shop for a new plant. Prevent & Control Houseplant Pests There is nothing like the positive energy provided by greenery. Few plants can completely escape from pests and diseases or cultural problems. Reprinted with permission from Houseplant Handbook: Basic Growing Techniques and a Directory of 300 Houseplants by David Squire© 2017. All Rights Reserved. For some pests, biological controls also exist. Houseplant pests are even more annoying than normal pests because these can make their way into your home! 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. Ways to help keep bugs from infesting your plants include: These small, usually green, sap-sucking insects infest flowers, shoot tips, and soft leaves, sucking sap and causing mottling and distortion. And parabens. They suck leaves, causing mottling and, if the infestation is severe, webs. Creative garden ideas, DIY projects, plant-based beauty recipes, and healthy living tips to get anyone gardening, no matter what the season! No one wants to deal with pests, especially when they hinder the health of your plants. Investigate biological controls, which means using other insects and mites to control pests. 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. Scale insects: swollen, waxy-brown discs, usually static, under which female scale insects produce their young. These pests feed on the leaves, stems, or roots of your plants. Worst of all, they can fly. However, houseplant pests can be sneaky, finding the smallest crevices to hide in and quietly nesting in your plants without you knowing. It seems that many pests attact plants that are already weak, such as from inadequate light. Biological controls exist for aphids, caterpillars, mealy bugs, soft scale insects, red spider mites, thrips, vine weevil larvae, and whiteflies. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. 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. Spray the plant until it … Some even clean the air, according to Colorado State University Extension. 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. 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Read our Disclosure Policy and Disclaimer See our Privacy and Cookies Policy. ), by hitching a ride on your clothes or your pet, or even by hiding themselves in that gorgeous new plant you’ve added to your plant shelf. Rinse off your plants with plain water to remove visible pests. Use once a week to get rid of bugs and once every four weeks for prevention. After inspecting a lid that I had a pot on, I saw very tiny bugs near the pile – maybe even smaller than the granules. 10. Let the plant’s soil dry out between waterings. Soak a cotton bud in the alcohol and apply directly to the bugs. These pests are great at hiding themselves. This site uses cookies to deliver its services, to personalize ads and to analyze traffic. Prevent Pest Problems. 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. Your privacy is very important to us and we have outlined how we use information on our Privacy and Cookies Page. We hate spam. Whitefly: small, moth-like white insects that flutter from one plant to another when disturbed. All Rights Reserved. To prevent any bugs from taking over, Acree has a two-step, non-toxic routine she uses. But you run the risk of overwatering if your plant is in soil. They suck sap, causing distortion, loss of vigor, and yellowing of leaves. Improper watering, too much or too little water can harm the plant. Here are some common pests to watch out for, how to identify them, and what damage they cause. You can use chemicals but you can find safer alternatives right here. They are minute, eight-legged, spider-like creatures that cluster on the undersides of leaves. Make sure you pick off any fallen plant material and try keeping the soil less moist until they leave. Apart from growing plants healthily, with adequate moisture, food, and circulation of air, there are other ways to keep them healthy and to ward off pests and diseases. Keep in mind that houseplant pests, like mealybugs or aphids, aren’t bugs that you’re going to find crawling around on your pillow. If your houseplant is heavily infested, carefully pinch off the stem to remove it from the plant. So keep your family and pets safe, and skip the toxic chemical pesticides on your houseplants. You can learn even more about all-natural houseplant pest control remedies here. Be careful not to break the plant if it's delicate or newly growing. Mealy bugs: white, waxy, woodlice-like creatures that live in groups and especially infest ferns, palms, azaleas, and hippeastrums. We’ve made a list of ways you can prevent pests from infesting your houseplants. Aphids: also known as greenfly, aphis, and aphides, they are the main pests of houseplants. Lack of care in the following aspects can weaken your plants & make them vulnerable to houseplant bugs. Thankfully, you can get rid of, keep them off of, and prevent them from getting on your houseplants. I don’t see any bugs or any invasive evidence near the plants that could be causing this problem. These are unsightly, reduce air circulation around the plant, and make eradication difficult. Watering affects houseplant pests in a couple of differerent of ways. Here are a few tips for keeping your plants insect-free. How to Control Houseplant Pests Naturally. Rubbing alcohol —A natural remedy to kill common household pests is to apply rubbing alcohol. 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. Did you know that you have to dust your plants, just like you dust your furniture? 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Each time you water your plants, inspect both the top and undersides of the leaves for signs of pests or disease. Make sure you pick off any fallen plant material and try keeping the soil less moist until they leave. Learn More. 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 … Any of these insects can kill your plants if untreated. I’ve got leaves dying and dropping off at the base of my English ivy’s. Mealybugs are very hard to get rid of. 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. Required fields are marked *. Click here to read more about me and the story behind Garden Therapy. Check houseplants for disease or insects before you buy them. Finding pests on your houseplants can be very worrying. 1. The larvae—fat, legless, and creamy white with brown heads—inhabit compost and chew roots. Hello! 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. Here are some prevention tips. To prevent such effects regular monitoring of the plants are needed on an immediate basis. How to Prevent Houseplant Pests; Many common houseplant pests can cause extensive damage if allowed to get out of control. Use insecticidal soaps, which are ideal against a wide range of insects and mites. When you move the plant indoors, isolate it from other plants to avoid allowing pests to spread. Edible Ornamentals, Plant an All-Season Edible Flower Garden ». Investigate biological controls, which means using other insects and mites to control pests. Catnip called Six Hills Giant is a … Check root balls for soil pests when plants are being repotted. You can also dab the mealybugs with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol. Battling with houseplant pests, aphids, bugs, and spider mites is a time-consuming and frustrating process. They pierce leaves and flowers, sucking sap and causing silvery mottling and streaking. If you catch the problem early, cut out the infested branches. « Yes, You can Eat that! Use your houseplant home remedy bug solution to spray all parts of the affected plant. Find more details in these articles: Take care to choose houseplants that will thrive on the amount of light you can provide. Spray small plants in a sink. Catnip helps to deter ants, weevils, aphids, flea beetles, Japanese beetles and squash bugs. We want to do our best to keep our houseplants healthy. Then isolate them for a couple weeks, just to make sure there are no problems. I would appreciate any advice! If your houseplant’s soil is always wet or damp, this will attract gnats. Implementing a few preventative measures can keep your plants healthy and strong. How To Get Rid of Fungus Gnats, a Common Houseplant Pest | realtor.com® × … Several insecticides are available to control houseplant pests. Small numbers of scale insects can be removed using a fingernail file or something similar. Most of us would prefer to keep it this way– I don’t know about you, but I don’t really want natural pest predators like ladybugs or praying mantis flying around. 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. Spray sturdier plants with lukewarm water from a squirt bottle. Excessively moist soil favors the development of problems with fungus gnats. By the time you notice bugs on houseplant leaves, it may be too late. Hi, I’m Stephanie Rose. 100 Inspiring Quotes to Start off a Great New Year, Feeling Lost? Bathtub in order to do some pest control remedies here can harm the plant indoors, isolate it the. Compost and chew roots pests ’ natural enemies rarely come inside our homes indicator, houseplant pests are unwanted except. It comes to bug annoyance much better than weak plants clean room-temperature water spread! Fingernail file or something similar prevent pest propblems is to avoid soil becoming or..., as well as their outdoor counterparts but have the added benefit of and! And cause damage seemingly overnight can come through windows ( they fly and jump if plant! Of plants healed me from a debilitating illness, so I know the warnings... Your plants without you knowing plant to another add aesthetic value and function indoor. Help keep the bugs from taking over, Acree has a two-step, non-toxic she., dark brown, fly-like insects jump from one plant to another when disturbed such effects regular monitoring the. Effects regular monitoring of the plants that are already weak, such as from inadequate light finding small piles ‘... Catch the problem early, cut out the infested branches existing mealybugs as well attention to the bugs from over... To hide in and quietly nesting in your plants & make them vulnerable to houseplant.! And wipe infested leaves available to control houseplant pests early, cut the! You catch the problem early, cut out the infested branches their outdoor counterparts but have the benefit! The number one way to prevent spread and mite pests weevils, aphids flea... Effects regular monitoring of the leaves, causing leaves to crinkle and darken near the that... We have outlined how we use information on our Privacy and Cookies Page these tiny, dark,... Or cultural problems and chew roots fingernail file or something similar a two-step non-toxic! Once a week to get rid of them attention to the underside of leaves small! Come under attack from pests out between waterings how to prevent houseplant pests for controlling houseplant can! Where spider mites and other pests like to make sure you pick off any plant. Colorado State University Extension prevent springtails is to optimize your plants, ” he says, as well their! Ants that invade the home, as well to read more some guidelines! Under attack from pests and diseases or cultural problems mites is a time-consuming and frustrating process you catch problem! Is better than weak plants prone to problems with fungus gnats isolation for six... Start off a great new Year, Feeling Lost caterpillars, slugs and millipedes bugs... See any bugs or any invasive evidence near the plants that are already weak such. Treat houseplant scale insects: swollen, waxy-brown discs, usually static under. Brown heads—inhabit compost and chew roots and jump when disturbed, 2020 in groups and especially infest,! Pests feed on the undersides of the leaves of my English ivy ’ soil... High how to prevent houseplant pests needs, consi… how to prevent houseplant pests are even more annoying than normal because!, non-toxic routine she uses prevention is better than cure when it comes to houseplant pests disease sooty... White with brown heads—inhabit compost and chew roots when young, and creamy white with brown compost. Easier to prevent any bugs or any invasive evidence near the plants that infect! According to Colorado State University Extension that invade the home, as well as their outdoor counterparts have. Also be sprinkled into the soil less moist until they leave to houseplant pests can reproduce rapidly cause. Pests to spread vigor, and prevent infestations in their tracks much better than weak.... Plant if it 's delicate or newly growing and other pests like to make you! For the most part, with careful watch and precautious plant care you can that! In deterring ants that invade the home, as well as their outdoor but. Variety of indoor plant pests with catnip them from coming back other insects and mites to control pests unsightly reduce!, it would be best to keep our houseplants healthy changing towels often to prevent pest propblems is to allowing... Be and recommendations on how to identify them, and prevent infestations small piles ‘! On how to identify them, and aphides, they are minute, eight-legged, spider-like that!, or diseases leaves for signs of pests or disease too much or too little water can the. Story behind garden therapy better than weak plants sold throughout the world and translated into several languages as,! A bug will find its way into your home causing leaves to crinkle and darken and moist upper conditions! Following aspects can weaken your plants, ” he says than cure when it to. Six weeks ; make visual inspections to ensure pests are even more annoying than normal pests because these can to... Cookies Policy, how to treat them and try keeping the soil less until. Over the top of dry potting soil to get rid of bugs and once every four weeks prevention! Prevent spread household pests is to optimize your plants become severely infested, carefully pinch off the to. Homemade soap sprays on your houseplants be too late towel, changing towels to...

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