How To Identify and Get Rid of Common Houseplant Pests

Be on the lookout for these houseplant critters, so you can beat them before they begin to multiply!

 

Amidst dreams of an indoor jungle, it’s easy to forget that pests might be lurking in the shadows. Once you see them, you’ll need to take action immediately before they spread to the rest of your collection. Our guide will walk you through three of the most common types of houseplant pests and how to deal with them naturally. 

 

Fungus Gnats

Fungus gnats closely resemble fruit flies and are one of the most common houseplant pests you’ll come across. If you see tiny black flies hanging around your plants, you’ll know that you have fungus gnats. They’re drawn to wet soil and can lay up to 150 eggs at once. If left unchecked, you’ll have a fungus gnat infestation in no time. 

 

Preventing Fungus Gnats 

The best way to prevent fungus gnats is to not overwater your plants. Overwatering leads to fungal growth, an environment in which these insects thrive. 

Also, try bottom-watering your plants by placing your pot with drainage holes into a water-filled saucer. This method keeps the top of the soil dry which robs those pesky fungus gnats of nutrient-rich fungus to snack on. 

 

Already Have an Infestation? 

If you’ve already got fungus gnats, there are a couple of things you should do: first, hang yellow sticky traps around any plants that show symptoms. Fungus gnats are drawn to the color yellow and will get stuck in the traps. Next, it’s time to tackle the larvae in the soil before they grow up. Buy some ‘Mosquito Bits’ to sprinkle into the top soil, and water your infected plants as usual. ‘Mosquito Bits’ contain BTI, a natural bacterial larvicide that attacks mosquito, black fly, and fungus gnat larvae.

 

Spider Mites

Spider mites are tiny red, green, or brown insects that suck the sap from plant leaves, leaving them shriveled and discolored. If left untreated, spider mites will ultimately kill your plant. 

Unlike fungus gnats, which are drawn to moist soil, spider mites are most likely to show up in overly-dry environments. Beyond the telltale fine webbing they spin, another sign of spider mites is the small yellow or white spots they leave on top of the leaves, this is called leaf stippling. 

 

How to Get Rid of Spider Mites

Spider mites love to hitch rides from place to place. They’re incredibly tiny, which means they can easily migrate on a breeze, your clothes, and even your pet. Being mindful of this, change your clothes and wash your hands after handling a plant with a spider mite infestation to prevent their spread. 

We recommend using insecticidal soap or neem oil as a spider mite remedy. You’ll want to spray all parts of your affected plant, ensuring to cover both sides of the leaves. If signs of infestation are still apparent after treatment, re-apply at weekly intervals while keeping an eye on any further issues.

You can also use a damp cloth or paper towel to wipe down the leaves to remove webbing and mites from the plant. However, make sure you don’t reuse the cloth or paper towels on other plants to prevent spread. 

 

Mealybugs 

These buggers are one of the most common and difficult-to-eradicate of all the plant pests. To the untrained eye, mealybugs may look soft and fluffy, but trust us, there’s nothing cute about these guys. Like spider mites, mealybugs are sap-suckers attracted to plants with high nitrogen levels and soft growth. They might show up if you tend to overwater or over-fertilize your plants. Mealybug infestations can be either extremely obvious or incredibly hard to detect. Depending on the plant, these pests enjoy both clinging to stems and the backs of leaves or hiding away in your plant’s folds. Therefore, keep your eyes open if you suspect your plants have fallen victim to mealybugs!

 

How to Get Rid of Mealybugs

Soak a cotton ball or q-tip with rubbing alcohol and dab at any of those visible fuzzy white bugs to remove them from the plant. Mealybugs tend to return a few times after treatment, so you’ll have to remain vigilant and keep an eye out for new arrivals.

 

Looking to shop for household pest products? Here at Primex Garden Center in Glenside, we carry a wide range of both conventional and organic insect and disease control solutions. If you’re currently dealing with some unwelcome houseplant pests, come visit us today. We’ll be happy to help you out!