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Houseplant Pests. Insects on your indoor plants.

A plant grown indoors is in an alien situation. So, there is the possibility your houseplant will be attacked by alien insects. Help is at hand.

When you grow houseplants indoors, then there is the possibility - or even probability - that they will be attacked by insect pests from time to time. Often the insects are very small, so you only find them if you are actually looking for them.

All too often, the damage that pests do to houseplants is the first sign for you that something is wrong. Invariably it will be one of the common house plant pests or maybe one of the diseases.

Some of these links will take you to the main pest and disease area of the site. You can get back to 'houseplants' by using your 'back' arrow on your browser.



Indoor plants can be a haven for various pests, which can cause significant damage if left unchecked. Here is a comprehensive guide to identifying and treating some of the most common houseplant pests:

  • Red Spider Mite is not normally found until the tell-tale signs are visible. A small insect but big problem for houseplant growers.
  • Brown Scale Insects are sometimes a problem. And once suspected are easy to see - but not too easy to deal with.
  • Aphids on Indoor Plants. - Normally greenfly - but there are others. Easy to deal with.
  • Mealybugs on houseplants are a real problem, and quite difficult to get rid of. However, they can be sorted.
  • Sooty Mould of Houseplants is a symptom rather than a disease. It is the black sooty deposit that thrives on the sticky honeydew left on the foliage during an insect infestation
  • Aphids: Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that can be green, yellow, red, black, or brown. They suck the sap from plants, causing the leaves to curl and turn yellow. To treat aphids, use insecticidal soap or neem oil. For an organic solution, try introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs or lacewings that prey on aphids.
  • Whiteflies: Whiteflies are small, winged insects that resemble tiny moths. They suck plant sap, causing yellowing and wilting. Insecticidal soaps, neem oil, or whitefly predators like green lacewings can be used to control whiteflies.
  • Fungus Gnats: Fungus gnats are small, dark, short-lived flies. The adults aren't harmful, but their larvae can damage young plants and root systems. To control fungus gnats, allow the soil to dry out between watering, use sticky traps to catch adult gnats, or apply microbial insecticides.
  • Scale: Scale insects appear as small, immobile bumps on stems and leaves. They can be hard to get rid of due to their protective shell-like covering. To treat scale, remove the insects physically with a cloth or sponge soaked in soapy water or use horticultural oil.
  • Thrips: Thrips are tiny, slender insects that cause discoloration and distortion of leaves. Control thrips by using sticky traps or insecticidal soap.

Preventive measures include inspecting new plants for pests before bringing them home, isolating infested plants to prevent the spread of pests, regular plant maintenance (pruning and cleaning), and maintaining the right environmental conditions (light, temperature, humidity) for your plants.

For pest control products, consider brands like Safer's Insecticidal Soap or Bonide's Neem Oil. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using these products.

If your particular insect pest on your houseplant is not dealt with here, then feel free to email us.


 






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