Houseplant Pests Explained: Identifying and Eradicating 10 Common Insect Infestations Permanently
Readyto shield your beloved houseplants from unwanted invaders? Brace yourself for battle against indoor plant pests! Here's a lowdown on what to watch for, common offenders, and how to treat your plants now, and alleviate future infestations.
Take a peek at the images below of the typical creepy-crawlies that can pop up on your houseplants, making it easier to identify any crawlies you encounter. However, if you're not checking your plants regularly, you might spot signs of damage instead. Be on the lookout for changes in leaf color or shape, yellowing leaves, or leaves dropping.
The best defense is to keep the pests from entering your home in the first place. Although it's not possible to entirely halt the spread of some insects, there are steps you can take to reduce the risks:
- Inspect Plants Before Buying: Inspect the leaves on plants, top and bottom, before you purchase them from a store or online. Don't forget to check the stems too. If you're shopping online, do it in a dedicated area, and bring only pest-free ones into your collection.
- Keep Outdoor Plants Outside: Steer clear of the temptation to bring outdoor plants indoors when the weather cools. They're more susceptible to contamination in this scenario.
- Quarantine or Pretreat Plants: When you bring a new plant home, isolate it for two weeks, and pre-treat it for pests even if there are no visible signs. A pest-free start makes all the difference.
- Keep Your Plants in Top Shape: The healthier your plants, the less likely they are to attract pests. Regularly prune and repot plants as needed and feed them with the right nutrients to maintain their well-being.
- Check Plants Weekly: Keep tabs on your plants, paying special attention to plants more prone to pests. Don't forget to treat them bi-weekly to monthly to maintain their health and avoid potential infestations.
Common Houseplant Pests and How to Eliminate Them
Most indoor plant pests survive on the plant's sap, feeding like pint-sized vampires. Here's what the most common ones look like, how to identify an infestation, and removal methods:
Aphids
If there's a most common culprit for houseplant damage, it's aphids. They're small (typically under a quarter-inch long) and can blend in easily, so you might need a magnifying glass to catch them.
You may only notice their presence when your plant's leaves and stems turn black from sooty mold, which thrives on the waste that aphids produce.
How to Remove Aphids
To get rid of aphids, give your plant a thorough rinse to remove as many pests as possible. Follow up with a treatment of neem oil or black soap and baking soda, and repeat the process for several weeks to ensure complete eradication.
Brown Scale
Another common adversary, brown scale resemble small brown bumps on stems or leaves. They can be hard to spot given their inconspicuous nature.
How to Remove Brown Scale
The best method for banishing brown scale is manual removal, as their outer shells can resist some insecticides. After scraping away as many as you can, use a systemic insecticide for those that remain. A sponge or toothbrush with a mild soap can do the trick. Scale insects may require follow-up sprays since their eggs and larvae can be treated with sprays before they develop shells.
Fungus Gnats
These tiny insects, which look like miniature mosquitoes, are more of a nuisance than a danger to your plants. Their larvae can, however, do some damage to root systems.
How to Remove Fungus Gnats
Adult fungus gnats can be controlled with yellow sticky traps. To discourage their presence, be mindful not to overwater your plants and keep the soil well-drained.
Mealybugs
These small (less than 1/5-inch), cottony insects can cause damage to your plant leaves, often clustering together to form a white mass or leave a sticky residue.
How to Remove Mealybugs
Treating an infestation with neem oil can help. If you catch the infestation early enough, pruning away affected branches and leaves or using a solution of three parts isopropyl alcohol and one part water can also aid in removal. Isolate the treated plant from others to prevent further spread of the pests.
Slugs and Snails
These slow-moving pests predominantly affect outdoor plants, but can make their way indoors if brought in. They leave slimy trails as they chew on leaves.
How to Remove Slugs and Snails
Simply pick off these pests with your bare hands and discard them. To deter their presence, try using coffee grounds in the soil as a deterrent.
Spider Mites
These tiny pests attack plants by feeding on the sap. They can be tricky to spot because of their small size, but you may see silk webbing on your plants.
How to Remove Spider Mites
Neem oil can help control spider mites. Regularly wiping leaves with water also removes large numbers of pests and eggs.
Springtails
These tiny bugs resemble small ticks and may give you the creeps but are considered beneficial since they aerate the soil and break down organic matter.
How to Remove Springtails
To remove them, use a shop vac or your hands. Minimize their presence by managing watering habits to avoid excess moisture.
Thrips
Thrips resemble tiny, winged insects, varying in color from yellow to black. These pests feed on plant sap, causing pale spots or scarring.
How to Remove Thrips
Washing plants or using repellent sprays can help control thrip populations. Keep dead leaves and debris out of plant soil to prevent infestations.
Whiteflies
Whiteflies are even smaller than thrips and can be found hiding under plant leaves. They are known for their flying ability, making them easier to spot.
How to Remove Whiteflies
Physical removal works wonders for reducing whitefly populations. Use a damp cloth or your fingers to wipe them away. Yellow sticky traps can help catch the pests, while insecticidal soap and neem oil can be used as treatments.
- Conducting regular checks on your houseplants every week can help you spot signs of damage caused by pests, such as changes in leaf color or shape, yellowing leaves, or leaves dropping, before they become serious.
- To avoid bringing pests into your home, always inspect houseplants, both indoors and outdoors, before bringing them inside, looking for signs of infestation on the leaves, stems, and top soil.
- Keep your houseplants in good health to minimize pest infestations. Prune and repot plants as needed, ensure they are adequately fed with the right nutrients, and maintain proper watering habits to avoid excess moisture.
- If you find aphids on your houseplants, give them a thorough rinse and apply neem oil or black soap and baking soda as a treatment, repeating the process for several weeks to ensure complete eradication.
