Houseplants are an excellent way to liven up your home, and can also help clean the air you breathe. However, as with any living thing, plants are susceptible to pests.
Houseplants’ pests come in a variety of forms, from small insects like aphids and thrips to larger bugs such as earwigs and mealybugs.
Failing to properly care for your houseplants can cause them to become infested with pests.
Most pests can be easily identified by their droppings, scale, and webs. The best way to get rid of them is to squash them with your fingers, spray the plant with a stream of water or use insecticidal soap.
If you have an infestation of aphids, mealybugs, or earwigs, you can try to handpick them from the stems. If that doesn’t work, use insecticidal soap or neem oil.
If you’re still seeing pests after trying these methods, you should probably get rid of your houseplants.
1. Aphids
They have wings and can be green, yellow, brown, or black in color.
Aphids reproduce quickly and lay eggs on the stems of a plant that resulting in more aphids.
Aphids can quickly infest a houseplant and can cause severe damage.
They feed on the sap of a plant, causing the leaves to yellow and drop off.
They can also stunt the growth of a houseplant.
You can get rid of aphids by spraying the plant with a stream of water or using a block of insecticidal soap.
2. Mealybugs
Mealybugs are white, cotton-like insects that feed on the sap of a houseplant.
They can be found under leaves and on stems. Mealybugs are easily visible but can be difficult to get rid of.
They reproduce quickly and their eggs are difficult to destroy.
Mealybugs can cause leaves to yellow and drop off and can stunt the growth of a houseplant.
They also secrete a sticky substance called honeydew.
You can wipe off the honeydew with a cotton ball and soapy water, which will also help to get rid of the mealybugs.
3. Thrips
Unlike aphids and mealybugs, thrips do not have wings.
They are about 1/8 of an inch long and can be distinguished by their elongated heads.
Thrips are not as destructive as aphids or mealybugs but can still cause severe damage.
Thrips feed on flower petals and the plant’s leaves, leaving behind tiny black specks of their excrement.
You can get rid of thrips by spraying the plant with a stream of water or using a block of insecticidal soap.
4. Spider mites
Spider mites are tiny, spider-like creatures that feed on the sap of a plant.
They are not insects but are related to spiders.
They can be identified by their red or yellow bodies and the webs they build on leaves.
Spider mites are one of the most destructive types of houseplant pests.
They feed on the leaves of a plant, sucking out the sap and causing the leaves to turn yellow and brown.
They can quickly infest a plant, and if left untreated, can kill it.
5. Earwigs
Earwigs are reddish-brown, flattened insects that resemble pill bugs or centipedes.
They can be found in moist, dark places under leaves and flowers.
Earwigs are most active at night and will feed on a plant’s leaves and flowers.
Earwigs are not usually a major problem but can cause damage to houseplants.
They can be removed by handpicking them from the plant or by using a block of insecticidal soap.
6. Scale
Scale are tiny, sap-sucking insects that can be found on the stems and leaves of a houseplant.
They are identified by their hard, shell-like covering.
Scale is not as common as aphids, mealybugs, and earwigs but can be just as destructive.
They feed on the sap of a plant, causing the leaves to yellow and drop off. They can also stunt the growth of a houseplant.
You can get rid of scale by spraying the plant with a stream of water or using a block of insecticidal soap.
7. Slugs and snails
Slugs and snails can be found in moist, shady areas of your home. They feed on plants by chewing holes in the leaves.
They can also eat the flowers of a houseplant.
Slugs and snails are not as common as other types of pests but can do significant damage to a houseplant.
They can be removed by handpicking them from the plant or by using a slug bait.
8. Whiteflies
Whiteflies are tiny, white insects that can be found on the undersides of leaves. They have wings and can fly from plant to plant.
Whiteflies feed on the sap of a houseplant, causing leaves to yellow and drop off.
They also secrete a sticky substance that can attract other types of houseplant pests.
You can get rid of whiteflies by wiping the plant with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol.
9. Caterpillars
Caterpillars can be found on the leaves and stems of a houseplant.
They are the larval stage of a butterfly or moth and can be green, brown, or black in color.
Caterpillars feed on the leaves of a plant, causing them to turn yellow and wilt.
They can also strip the leaves of a plant. You can get rid of caterpillars by handpicking them from the plant or by using a caterpillar bait.
10. Fungus gnats
Fungus gnats are tiny, black flies that can be found in moist, shady areas of a home. They lay their eggs in the soil of a houseplant, and the larvae feed on the roots of the plant as they develop.
Fungus gnats are not as destructive as other types of houseplant pests but can still cause damage. They can be removed by handpicking them from the plant or by using a fungus gnat bait.
If you are looking to eliminate houseplant pests, you can combine two or more types of houseplant insects and pests.
You may also want to try using a homemade natural pesticide. The best types of natural pesticides are those that contain garlic or hot peppers as ingredients.
You can also use a spray containing pyrethrin, which has been extracted from the chrysanthemum flower.
Natural pesticidal sprays can be made by combining one teaspoon of liquid dish soap with one quart of water.
Mix well and use the spray to wipe down the surfaces of your houseplant.
This will help get rid of houseplant pests that may be hiding under leaves or on the stems of your houseplant.
You can also make a garlic pesticide by combining one crushed garlic clove with two teaspoons of hot pepper sauce and one cup of water.
Let the mixture sit for 24 hours and then strain it. Pour the liquid into a spray bottle and use it to wipe down the stems and leaves of your houseplant to get rid of houseplant pests.
To make a garlic and hot pepper pesticide, combine two tablespoons of cooking oil, one tablespoon of cayenne pepper, one clove of crushed garlic, three crushed hot chili peppers, and one quart of water.
Mix the ingredients well and pour them into a spray bottle. Spray your houseplant once or twice a week and always spray the undersides of leaves.
Prevention is your best defense against houseplant pests. Here are some simple tips that will help you prevent houseplant pests from taking up residence on your beloved houseplants:
1. Always buy a new houseplant from a reputable nursery.
2. Inspect a new houseplant for any signs of pests before you bring it into your home.
3. quarantine new houseplants for a few weeks in a separate room to make sure they are not infested with pests.
4. Keep houseplant leaves dust-free.
5. Do not over-water houseplants, overwatering is the number one reason why houseplants get infested with pests.
6. Remove any dead leaves or flowers from a houseplant as they provide a perfect place for pests to hide.
7. Clean your houseplants regularly so that you can get rid of pests before they multiply to infestation levels.
8. Make sure the room your houseplant is located in has good air circulation so that pests can’t breed inside.
9. Keep pets away from houseplants as they can carry pests on their fur.
10. Use a pesticide sparingly and only when necessary to keep your houseplant pest-free.
Conclusion
You can try using a homemade natural pesticide or you can combine types of houseplant insects and pests. You may also want to try using a homemade natural pesticide.
The best types of natural pesticides are those that contain garlic or hot peppers as ingredients.
You can also use a spray containing pyrethrin, which has been extracted from the chrysanthemum flower.