Pests Are Pests!
Houseplants bring nature indoors.
They can be an art form in our homes.
If we water and feed them correctly and place them in a suitable location, they should be free of insects and healthy most of the time.
However, even the best-cared-for houseplants are sometimes attacked by pests that fly inside or come to us from the store we purchased our plants from.
Here are some sure signs that we have problems.
Leaves have a sticky substance on them.
These may be the signs of mealy-bugs which are round, white, and fuzzy, and usually hide on leaf stems or in the axils; aphids are small, soft-bodied, reddish, green, or black insects clustered on new growth; scale is a hard, oval-or round-shelled insect attached to stems or leaves; or whiteflies, a small fluttering insects that feed on the undersides of leaves.
If the leaves are striped and covered with fine whitish webs, this is an indication of red spider mites.
All common houseplant pests suck plant juices, causing stunted or twisted growth.
You must take immediate action to stop the damage, or the plant will eventually die.
Steps in curing your pest problems: ISOLATE THE INFESTED PLANT Regularly inspect your plants.
Locate and eradicate problems before they are out of control.
Move the infested plant well away from other plants to keep the insects from traveling from one to the next.
Always wash your hands so that you don't spread the pests, and inspect the rest of your plants.
WASH THE PLANT Remove as many insects as possible with a strong stream of water.
In the case of clinging scale insects, you might have to use a soapy cloth or toothbrush to wipe the plant clean.
If the plant is small enough, it is even more effective to submerge the foliage in water.
Fill a bucket or sink with lukewarm water.
Then place a rag or a piece of paper over the top of the pot to hold the soil in place.
Next, with your fingers spread around the plant's stem, turn the plant upside down, and swish the leaves in water for two or three minutes.
SPRAY THE PLANT Spray the foliage with a diluted spray made of a natural soap such as ivory.
Be sure to cover the entire plant, wetting both sides of the leaves so the soap comes in direct contact with the pests.
Don't spray in sunlight, and again, be sure to let the plant dry in a shaded location.
Mealy-bugs and spider mites may require a second spraying a few days later.
For delicate plants, try dabbing the pests with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, which will kill the insects by dehydrating them.
Rinse the plant with water afterward.
REMAIN VIGILANT Keep the treated plant in isolation for a few weeks; check frequently for of the pest population.
As new generations hatch, you may need to repeat the steps outlined here.
Persistence should eventually result in a healthy plant that is ready to return to its decorative role in your home.
To prevent future infestations, remember to quarantine all new plants for a month or so.
They can be an art form in our homes.
If we water and feed them correctly and place them in a suitable location, they should be free of insects and healthy most of the time.
However, even the best-cared-for houseplants are sometimes attacked by pests that fly inside or come to us from the store we purchased our plants from.
Here are some sure signs that we have problems.
Leaves have a sticky substance on them.
These may be the signs of mealy-bugs which are round, white, and fuzzy, and usually hide on leaf stems or in the axils; aphids are small, soft-bodied, reddish, green, or black insects clustered on new growth; scale is a hard, oval-or round-shelled insect attached to stems or leaves; or whiteflies, a small fluttering insects that feed on the undersides of leaves.
If the leaves are striped and covered with fine whitish webs, this is an indication of red spider mites.
All common houseplant pests suck plant juices, causing stunted or twisted growth.
You must take immediate action to stop the damage, or the plant will eventually die.
Steps in curing your pest problems: ISOLATE THE INFESTED PLANT Regularly inspect your plants.
Locate and eradicate problems before they are out of control.
Move the infested plant well away from other plants to keep the insects from traveling from one to the next.
Always wash your hands so that you don't spread the pests, and inspect the rest of your plants.
WASH THE PLANT Remove as many insects as possible with a strong stream of water.
In the case of clinging scale insects, you might have to use a soapy cloth or toothbrush to wipe the plant clean.
If the plant is small enough, it is even more effective to submerge the foliage in water.
Fill a bucket or sink with lukewarm water.
Then place a rag or a piece of paper over the top of the pot to hold the soil in place.
Next, with your fingers spread around the plant's stem, turn the plant upside down, and swish the leaves in water for two or three minutes.
SPRAY THE PLANT Spray the foliage with a diluted spray made of a natural soap such as ivory.
Be sure to cover the entire plant, wetting both sides of the leaves so the soap comes in direct contact with the pests.
Don't spray in sunlight, and again, be sure to let the plant dry in a shaded location.
Mealy-bugs and spider mites may require a second spraying a few days later.
For delicate plants, try dabbing the pests with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, which will kill the insects by dehydrating them.
Rinse the plant with water afterward.
REMAIN VIGILANT Keep the treated plant in isolation for a few weeks; check frequently for of the pest population.
As new generations hatch, you may need to repeat the steps outlined here.
Persistence should eventually result in a healthy plant that is ready to return to its decorative role in your home.
To prevent future infestations, remember to quarantine all new plants for a month or so.