Plant pests can be a pain.
Discover natural remedies, insecticidal soaps, and prevention tips to keep your indoor greenery bug-free.
But dont give up!
Itispossible to get your indoor garden back to normal (with a little extra effort, of course).
Theres a handful of ways to go about getting rid of different types ofhouseplant bugs.
Wondering how to keep bugs out of indoor plants?
former director of brand marketing at The Sill
Read ahead for gardener-approved pest prevention methods, includinghomemade indoor plant bug spraysand non-toxic treatments for your plants soil.
Why are there tiny bugs in my houseplants?
Plants often attract bugs when theyre in poor health or if their environment is subpar.
If its stressed out, its possible that it will become more likely that it will get a pest.
While pests can certainly invade an otherwise well-kept plant, pests tend to leave healthy, happy plants alone.
Ahead are the most common bugs that plague houseplants.
Mealybugs
Mealybugsare small, oval white bugs that secrete sugary wax.
Mealybugs love indoor plants, and since one female can lay up to 600 eggs (HUH?!
), they pose a great threat to vulnerable or sick houseplants.
former director of brand marketing at The Sill
Fungus gnats
Fungus gnatsare super tiny black bugs that often get mistaken for fruit flies.
What do you spray on plants to get rid of bugs?
While you’re free to pick up an insecticidal bug spray from the store (likeDr.
Killigans Six Feet Under Spray), creating aDIYinsecticidal soapusing simple, natural ingredients is easy!
Heres how to get rid of bugs on plants naturally.
you’re free to spray the mixture onto your plants once a week to combat pest issues.
Empty Spray Bottles, 3-Pack $8.00
2.
Neem oil
Another naturally occurring pesticide is neem oil.
It has antimicrobial, antibiotic,andpest-killing properties, says Waldman.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxidecan be used to kill fungus gnatsand other common bugs that plague houseplants, as well.
When used sparingly, it can help plants grow by giving the roots added oxygen, too.
Essential Oxygen, Food Grade Hydrogen Peroxide $18.00
4.
Now Essential Oils, Tea Tree Oil $8.00
5.
It helps so much.
Diatomaceous Earth, 10-Pound Bag $28.00
6.
(Sorry, gnats.)
Watering frequently and keeping soil consistently damp is ideal for egg hatch and larvae survival, she says.
Without moist soil, youre taking away fungus gnats food source: fungi in the soil.
Those houseplant bugs will be gone for good.
houseplant bug infestation, youll likely never want to deal with one ever again.
Ahead are three ways to ward off future infestations.
Even if a plant looks pristine, there might be bugs hiding between the leaves and in the soil.
This simple precaution can keep you from the headache of a mass infestation later on.
If yourepot a plant, be sure to put it into a clean pot.
Regularly clean any tools you use, like pruning shears, beforeandafter you use them.
Doing this prevents the spread of harmful bacteria and other irritants between plants.
check that youre handling your plants with clean hands, too.
Allowing your plants soil to completely dry out in between waterings can help keep them at bay.
At the shop, we ensure our plants are completely dry before we water them, says Leonard-Segovia.
Most of the time, whenever youre having fungus gnats, its because your soil is too moist.
you better let it dry out completely.
FAQs:
Is it normal for indoor plants to have bugs?
Its totally normal for your indoor houseplants to attract bugs.
After all, plants are living things, says Marino.
Pest infestation is totally normal and treatable.
How can you tell if your indoor plants have bugs?
What types of houseplants repel insects?
Plants that repel insectsdo it because the bugs dont like their scent.
What is a homemade bug repellent for houseplants?
There are several different houseplant bug sprays you could make at home with just a few simple ingredients.
Another involves tea tree oil, a natural insecticide.
Finally, you’re able to use hydrogen peroxide as a DIY houseplant bug spray ingredient.
Mix one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide per every cup of water in an empty spray bottle.
Shake well before use.
What should I wipe my plant leaves with?
Wiping dust and dirt off of your plants leaves will help them get adequate amounts of sunlight.
Microfiber cloths can pick up tiny specks of dirt and dust that other cloths cant pick up.
Epsom salt can be helpful if your leaves are yellowing due to nutrient-deficient soil.
An effective dehydrating agent, Epsom salt has also been known torepelsnails, slugs, and common bugs.
Montery, Magnesium Sulfate Epsom Salts $15.00
Is hydrogen peroxide good for indoor plants?
How do bugs spread between houseplants?
When plants are clustered together with some overlap, its easy for pests to spread.
Pests can crawl, jump, bounce, and fly onto neighboring houseplants easily.
Thats why its important to quarantine infected or new plants so pests cant spread.
When should I give up on a dying houseplant?
Say the infestation really did a number on the plant.
…
Got it, you’ve been added to our email list.
