How To Get Rid Of Pests On Household Plants

Houseplants add beauty and can be used in an indoor environment. They could be planted outside, but they also have many other qualities for decorating hotel lobbies or offices for instance! But you need to take care of these beautiful houseplants so that pests don’t infect them.

What to do with household pests

If you’re having trouble with annoying household pests attacking your plants, there’s an easy way to get rid of them. All it takes is a non-chemical product or an insecticide spray and in a couple of days time those little blighters will be gone! This sounds easy, but unfortunately sometimes it takes a little more effort.

If you examine your plants and find some pest infestation, the best way to get rid of it is keeping your plants isolated for a couple of weeks. This will allow time for any infection they might have gotten, or their diseases and pests in general-including fungal infections to die without infection other plants.

It is essential to spray your plants at least once every two months in order for them to stay healthy.

To keep your plants free of pests, it is important to clean them periodically and spray the leaves with fresh, clean water regularly. Be sure not use a feather duster; this will only transfer new insects into your garden!

Some of the most common suspects are:

Aphids

The appearance of aphids is not always welcomed, as small yellow or black spots can be seen on plants. These pests weaken their hosts by feeding off them and reproduce quickly enough for an infestation which could cover the entire surface in just days!

The pesky aphids are hard to get rid of, but it is not impossible. They like soft-bodied insects and can be killed by a strong blast in the shower or repeated sprays with insecticidal soap. But these pests will come back again if you don’t remain diligent, so keep up the treatment for as long as it takes until all signs show that their season is over.

Broad Mites

Plant pests like mites can be a problem for houseplants, even if they are less common. These tiny insects love to attack and cause damage to all stages of plant life, even before you’ve bought them! There are two kinds, broad mites and cyclamen mites, which may leave their mark by stunting your favorite plants’ growth rates. The plant starts curling its leaves and will look distorted. The most affected are african violet, begonia and other houseplants.

There are many ways to get rid of mites on plants. You can use a miticide, insecticidal soap or horticultural oil if you cover the entire plant with your spray. In some cases, the best thing you can do is dispose of the infested pieces, so they do not spread further!

Fungus Gnat

You might not be able to see them, but you’ll know when fungus gnats are around. The little flies will buzz up in a cloud and then settle back down again if they’re disturbed. Fungus-feeder roots along with organic debris becomes food for these larvae while growing within the potting soil of houseplants. They also favor damp environments.

The easiest way to get rid of these pesky insects is by using a yellow sticky trap, which will cut down on their population. Allow the soil to dry completely for several days, killing any eggs or larvae already in it, while also deterring future generations from re-infesting your home!

Spider Mites

The damage these pests do is by sucking plant juices from leaves which will then cause yellow stippling or spots. They make them appear brittle and wilted before eventually turning totally brown in coloration, and die faster than you think!

The most effective way to get rid of pesky spider mites. Give your plants an insecticidal soap bath and be sure not only to spray them, but also follow up with repeated applications for optimal results!

Whiteflies

These insects are pests that tend to hide out on the underside of leaves and fly away when disturbed. They suck plants for nutrients, weaken them with their feeding habits, which causes distortions in plant tissues as well as discoloration. These flying insects can be difficult to get rid of, so catching these little creatures early will make your life easier. Use yellow sticky traps or horticultural oil and just spray it anywhere near where they’re spotted within range distance until contact occurs.

Springtails

Springtails are tiny, jumpy insect-like creatures that you probably won’t notice unless there is an impressive amount of them. A single springtail can look like a small cloud!

Springtails are tiny insects that live in the soil. They prefer damp areas and can feed on roots without doing much damage. When it’s dry in the pot, they look for moisture elsewhere such as your basement or bathroom where they shouldn’t go! To get rid of these pesky creatures, try using diatomaceous earth or just a vacuum cleaner.

Conclusion: Be consistent with your houseplants!

Houseplants can be difficult to keep alive, but it is even more challenging when you have pests. Indoor plants are easy prey for plant pests that find their way indoors. The population of these insects can increase rapidly, so don’t wait until your houseplants struggle!

There are many ways to keep houseplant pests at bay. From homemade sprays and non-toxic treatments for your plant’s soil, there are various solutions.

Check regularly to see if an insect infestation has occurred, catching them early will give you the best chance at saving yourself some pain (and stress) later on down the road.