Having houseplants can bring great joy and coziness to your home But they can also attract some unwelcome guests – bugs! While a few bugs here and there are usually harmless, an infestation can quickly damage and even kill your beloved plants So it’s important to act fast when you spot bugs on your houseplants.
The good news is there are several effective methods to get rid of most common houseplant pests and keep them from coming back. With some diligence and perseverance, you can have a bug-free indoor jungle in no time!
Identify the Culprits
The first thing you need to do is figure out what bugs have gotten into your plants. Different pests call for different treatment methods. Keep an eye out for these common houseplant bugs:
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Aphids – These tiny, soft-bodied insects come in a variety of colors like green, black, or white. They suck sap from plants and spread quickly. Telltale signs are sticky honeydew and distorted growth on plant leaves and stems.
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Mealybugs – Mealybugs are soft-bodied like aphids but have a distinctive white waxy coating. They look like tiny white dots moving slowly on plants and also leave behind sticky honeydew droppings.
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Fungus Gnats – Adult fungus gnats resemble small mosquitoes and their larvae live in soil. They don’t harm plants directly but can spread fungal diseases. You’ll notice them flying around soil when watered.
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Spider Mites – Too small to see with the naked eye, spider mites suck juices from plant leaves, causing stippling damage. Webbing on plants is a clear sign of their presence.
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Thrips – Slender yellow or dark bugs that rasp plant tissues and drink expelled plant juices. Leaves appear silvery with dark fecal spots.
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Scale Insects – Immobile scale bugs attach themselves to plants and feed on sap. They appear as bumps on stems and leaves that can’t be rubbed off.
Once you’ve identified the pests, it’s time to take action!
Non-Chemical Pest Control Methods
There are some good non-chemical ways to get rid of plant bugs and keep them from coming back for small infestations:
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Get rid of parts that are heavily infested. Cut off leaves, stems, or branches that are badly damaged. Put them in a plastic bag and seal it before throwing it away to stop the spread.
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Wash plants – Use a steady stream of water to wash bugs off of plant leaves and stems. Repeat every few days until they are gone.
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Spray plants with soapy water. Add a few drops of dish soap to water. The soap smothers soft-bodied insects like aphids. Rinse after 30 minutes.
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Apply neem oil – Neem oil naturally repels many plant pests. Mix it with water and spray leaves. Can be used up to once a week.
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Quarantine plants – Isolate any infested plants away from your other houseplants until the bugs are completely gone.
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Use sticky traps – Yellow or blue sticky traps near infested plants capture adult fungus gnats.
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Remove top inch of soil – This eliminates most fungus gnat larvae in the soil. Replace with fresh sterile potting mix.
Chemical Pesticides
For severe houseplant pest infestations, chemical pesticides are stronger and more effective options:
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Insecticidal soap – Potassium salts of fatty acids kill soft-bodied insects on contact. Spray plants and repeat after 5-7 days.
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Horticultural oil – Suffocates insects and mite eggs. Mix with water and thoroughly coat plant leaves every 7-14 days.
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Botanical insecticides – Natural pesticides containing pyrethrins derived from chrysanthemums are available. Follow label directions.
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Systemic pesticides – Taken up by plant roots and make plant tissues toxic to feeding bugs. Imidacloprid is commonly used. Use with caution.
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Insect growth regulators – Disrupt lifecycle by preventing molting and maturity. Azadirachtin derived from neem trees is a popular option.
Always carefully read and follow all label directions when using chemical pesticides! Start with lower concentrations and test on a few leaves first to avoid plant damage.
Prevention is Key!
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when it comes to houseplant bugs. Here are some tips to help keep pests away in the first place:
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Inspect new plants very closely before bringing home. Quarantine for a few weeks.
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Remove dust and regularly wipe plant leaves to discourage mites.
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Allow soil to dry out some between waterings to reduce fungus gnats.
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Provide good ventilation and air circulation for plants.
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Apply a layer of sand or small rocks on top of potting mix to block gnats.
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Use sterile soil and cleaned pots when repotting plants.
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Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap monthly as a preventative.
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Keep plants healthy and avoid over or under-watering which stresses them.
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Remove fallen leaves, stems, and flower petals which can harbor pests.
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Limit ant access to plants. They spread aphids and mealybugs.
With vigilance and using these chemical and non-chemical control methods, you can keep your houseplants pest-free and flourishing. Don’t be afraid to take action at the first signs of bugs. The sooner you respond, the better chance your plants have of bouncing back unharmed from the invasion!
Early detection is key to managing pests
Finding pests before they become a problem is the best way to keep insects at bay.
- Before bringing plants home from the store or bringing them inside for the winter, check all of their parts and containers very carefully. Some bugs are so small that you might need to use a magnifying glass.
- Check the tops and bottoms of leaves for bugs, webs, holes, and eggs. Check for discolored leaves; this could mean there are pests on the plant. There is a ten-power hand magnifying lens that can help you look for bugs. There are also magnifier apps for smartphones.
- It’s shiny and sticky, and it’s made by aphids, mealybugs, and scale insects. Look for it on the leaves’ top side, as well as on tables and other things around and under the plant.
- Keep an eye out for pests along the edges, rims, and cracks of plant pots and saucers, as well as on the bottom of them. Remove if found.
- Put new plants in a separate area for one to two weeks so that any pest problems can be seen.
- Check for pests when you water, fertilize or clean plants. Because of the water, some bugs, like springtails and fungus gnats, will move around, which makes them easier to find.
- Flying bugs like whiteflies, fungus gnats, winged aphids, and thrips can be caught with yellow or blue sticky traps.
Grow plants in the best possible conditions
- Choose plants that can grow in the humidity, light, and temperature that are present inside.
- If plants are having trouble growing because they don’t get enough light, the soil is too wet or dry, the air is too hot or too cold, etc., they can’t fight off pests.
- Know how much water your plant needs.
- Don’t water the leaves; instead, water the soil at the plant’s base.
- Be sure the plants pot drains well. Avoid letting plants stand in water. Root rot and fungus gnats, as well as other pest problems, can be caused by too much water and poor drainage.
How to Get Rid of Bugs in Houseplants (4 Easy Steps)
FAQ
What can I spray on my plants to kill bugs?
You can spray plants with insecticidal soap, neem oil, or homemade sprays like garlic or chili pepper solutions to get rid of bugs. For a natural approach, insecticidal soap and neem oil are effective, while garlic or chili pepper sprays can deter pests. Dish soap solutions, while sometimes effective, can damage plants if not diluted properly.
Does vinegar kill bugs on plants?
Vinegar can help get rid of some pests in the garden, but it’s not a foolproof method and can hurt plants if not used correctly.
Does baking soda kill bugs on plants?
While baking soda isn’t a broad-spectrum insecticide, it can be effective against some soft-bodied insects and fungal diseases when used in a solution with water and a surfactant like soap or oil.