Did you know that a venus flytrap plant will shut in less than a second when an insect comes into contact with it? This is one of the houseplants that repels insects, but, unfortunately, a lot of others attract them. If you are a houseplant lover, you should know what to look for if your plant is at risk of getting infected by insects.
Read on to learn about five common indoor plant pests that devour your houseplants.
1. Spider Mites
One of the most common indoor plant pests is spider mites. They are especially annoying to new plant owners and even seasoned plant lovers.
Knowing what to look for is important because it can help reduce the spread to other plants or protect your plant from dying. The main thing to look out for is tiny webs on your plants. They may look like spider webs but are actually homes for these mites.
The eggs are often too small to be seen, but if you look close enough, they will look like dust. These tiny pests suck the life out of your plant and can get killed with the right spray.
2. MealyBugs
Mealybugs are insects that look like cotton ball puffs or a certain kind of webbing. Instead, it is an infestation that is taking your plant’s life little by little.
These are easier to see and easier to kill. You can use a q-tip covered in alcohol to kill the mealybugs. You should follow up with treatment a week later to ensure all of the pests are gone.
In some cases, mealybugs are carried to your plant by ants. This means you need to call a pest control service to help you get rid of the ants as well.
3. Fungus Gnats
Fungus gnats don’t necessarily feed on your houseplants, but they do breed in the soil. You most likely come across these indoor plant pests because of overwatering.
Getting rid of fungus gnats involves drying out the soil in your plant. After the soil is dry for a few days, the gnats will go away on their own.
However, this is not an option for all plants. If this is the case for you, consider a gnat larva killing product.
4. Aphids
Aphids are insects that suck the sap out of houseplants. Indoor aphids reproduce quickly because their predators, ladybugs and wasps, are outdoors.
A spritz of water is usually enough to get rid of these insects. You could also wash the leaves of your plant with soapy water.
5. Whitefly’s
These small, white-colored flies, can hurt plants if there is a large enough infestation. You can find them by turning the leaves of your plant over as they live on the underside of plants.
These are tricky to get rid of because they can fly away. You can try an oil spray or yellow sticky traps. If the infestation is bad enough, you may have to say goodbye to your plant.
Indoor Plant Pests to Look Out for
If you like to bring the outdoors in by having a variety of houseplants, you may also be bringing in pests. Luckily, a lot of these indoor plant pests are noticeable and can be managed before harming your plants. If you have indoor plants, use this guide to know which pests to look out for.
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