How to Handle Common Houseplant Pests

Outdoors , plague populations are kept in check by rain and diseases and by birds , beneficial insects , and other predators ; indoors , however , plant blighter can proliferate very promptly with nothing to stop them . The most coarse plague that may overrun your houseplant are wanderer mites , mealy germ , scale , aphids , and fungus gnats . This can lead to unsightly damage and potentially the dying of your flora . There is also the risk that an infestation can jump from one plant to another . For these reason , pest mastery is of import . First , though , you need to learn how to identify your cuss .

Spider mites are hard to spot but create noticeable webs and stippling

Identification:

wanderer mites are not insects but are more closely link up to spider . Their vulgar name comes from the silky net they grow when population are gamy . These diminutive creatures are about the size of it of the period at the end of this sentence . They flourish in dry indoor environments , and their populations can farm exponentially in a few week .

Damage:

The pinch typically feed on the undersurface of leave , where the remotion of cell contents also removes the green paint of the foliage . This causes stippling , which results in a dusty appearance . enceinte infestations can have leaves to yellow and accrue off and can also lead to the death of a plant .

Control:

see for soupcon by tap leaves over a white piece of paper and looking for tiny dot crawling around . Insecticidal grievous bodily harm is one of the best products to use against this pest . It ’s a inter-group communication insecticide with no residuary natural process after it dries . Make at least three applications at five - sidereal day intervals to moderate newly come forth mite . Be certain to spray the upper and lower foliage surfaces .

Fungus gnats cause damage under the soil

Fungus gnats are a specie of fly ball about ¼ inch long and are usually black . The consumption of yellow embarrassing traps can help you confirm whether or not you have a fungus gnat problem .

Adults do no scathe but are often a pain in the neck . Females repose eggs in the soil , and the larva , called maggots , feed on plant base , get stunted growth and possible yellowing or wilting of leaves . This may cause unsightly damage but is not likely to kill a plant .

Overwatering and crocked soil are usually the cause of fungus gnat problems . Always empty saucers under plant container after watering , and allow clock time for the dirt to enfeeble . Larvae can be controlled withBacillus thuringiensissubsp.israelensis(Bti ) , a bacteria that is sold in stores for the control of mosquito larvae in abide water . fade away the bits in water and drench the soil . While yellow sticky trap will get grownup , they are honest for monitoring your plague and will not be wholly effective in eliminating them .

Mealy bugs have a distinctive appearance

Mealy glitch are small insects up to 1 ⁄ 8 inch long with bodies covered in whitened , waxy strand . They are most often found feeding on root but can also be found on the underside of leafage . They ooze out a substance called honeydew melon that leaves a shiny , sticky residue . Eggs hatching into young “ fishing worm , ” which are pallid white-livered and lack the waxy filament until they settle down at a eating site .

These pests suck in on plant sap and stunt industrial plant increment . This can stimulate yellowing or dieback of parting . high-pitched population can eventually vote down a plant .

Insecticidal soap is efficient against red worm but is not so efficient against grownup . Adults can be wipe out with rubbing intoxicant applied with a cotton wool swab . Neem oil is also effective , but always test it on one leaf first and wait a sidereal day to see if it burns the folio before applying it to the whole industrial plant .

There are two types of scale to look out for

Photo : good manners of Paul Thompson .

scurf are round to ellipse with no seeable eyes , antennae , or ramification . There are two primary groups of scale . armoured weighing machine are comprehend by a hard shell and are less than 1 ⁄ 8 in long . Soft scale are usually larger ( about 1 ⁄ 4 column inch long ) and covered with a loggerheaded wax . grownup are sedentary once they find a feeding site . Eggs are repose under the protective cover of the female ; after hatch , the vernal crawlers move about on the plant to find a feeding site before producing the protective cover that shields scurf worm from most contact sprays .

Scale make aerobatics of plant life development and can lead to yellowing , wilting , or premature dropping of leave-taking . They can be deadly if their populations are allowed to develop .

Small infestations of plate insects can be removed by softly scraping them off the works when practical . Insecticidal easy lay is in force against dew worm . Neem oil can smother adults .

Aphid infestations can quickly get out of control

aphid are about 1 ⁄ 8 inch long . They are soft - bodied insects that are normally wingless and can be just about any color depending on their species and the plant life they are feeding on . Like mealy bugs , they secrete honeydew . aphid reproduce at a very rapid charge per unit , so population can develop quick if they are not verify .

These louse suck plant sap and can cause stunted , yellow , or distorted leave-taking , but they will seldom down a plant .

Insecticidal easy lay is very effective against aphids and is the good stake for indoor infestations .

Be proactive with prevention

Practice safety with pest-killing products

Whenever you choose to use a pesticide — whether it ’s organic or synthetic — surveil these summit to check that you employ it safely .

Paul Thompson is a Distinguished Urban Horticulture Agent in York County , South Carolina , with the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service , where he has work since 1994 .

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