Give these houseplant pests the boot for good.
But don’t panic.
Most common houseplant pests can be controlled with a few simple techniques and a little patience.
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“There are no quick fixes and it will take time and dedication to manage the pests.”
Here’s how to get rid of the most common houseplant pests you may find.
Scales
Scales are soft-bodied insectsthat suck plant sap.
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Tiny crawlers (the immature stage) move a little as they feed.
Scale-infested leaves may turn yellow or drop off and stems die back.
The bugs also produce a sticky substance called honeydew that they leave on your plant.
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(Nota good look.)
How to Control Scales
Spray your plant with insecticidal soap orneem oilto smother crawlers.
Adults are more difficult to control because of their waxy covering.
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Use your fingernail to scrape them off gently.
If possible, remove heavily-infested parts of the plant, such as older leaves.
Check your plant regularly and scratch off any scales you see until the infestation is gone.
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How to Control Mealybugs
Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove the mealybugs.
For larger, sturdy plants, wash leaves off with a strong spray of water to dislodge the pests.
Insecticidal soap and neem oil may be the best option for heavy infestations.
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Spider Mites
Spider mitesare so tiny that you may not even see them.
The mites suck sap from leaves and cause them to discolor and drop.
Ivies,dracaenas, figs,hibiscus, andschefflerasare a few of their favorite hosts.
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How to Control Spider Mites
Mite infestations are tough to control.
If your plant is heavily infested, it’s best to get rid of it before the pests spread.
“Increasing humidityaround plants may also help limit spider mite buildup.
Whiteflies
Whitefliesare tiny, winged insects that have a delicate, powdery white appearance.
The immature stage doesn’t move much, but the adults flutter about when disturbed.
Keep a sharp eye out for them, especially on ivies, hibiscus, and poinsettias.
How to Control Whiteflies
An insecticidal soap or neem oil will get rid of whiteflies.
Aphids
Aphids, another sap-sucking insect, also produce sticky honeydew.
Their life cycle is short (usually two to three weeks long) so populations can increase rapidly.
How to Control Aphids
A hard spray of water willdislodge most aphids.
Insecticidal soap or neem oil sprays are also effective.
“Fungus gnats are often a symptom of overwatering,” Hamby says.
How to Control Fungus Gnats
Allow the surface of the soil in pots todry between watering.
Do not let water stand in saucers.
Drenching soil with the biological insecticideBacillus thuringiensisvar.israelensiswill control the fungus gnat larvae.
Yellow sticky traps will help capture adults.
You may need to do this a few times to completely remove the pests.
Other options include treating with neem oil, dabbing pests with rubbing alcohol, and sticky fly paper.
