Common Houseplant Pests And How To Deal With Them

One of the toughest challenges in any indoor garden is houseplant pests. It doesn’t matter if you are growing low-maintenance indoor plants or hardy disease-resistant plants. A slight negligence in their care can make them susceptible to many common houseplant pests. These pests can grow in large numbers and destroy your plants very quickly.

Therefore, it is important to take regular care of your plants and quickly ensure these houseplant pests’ infestation. The sooner you identify that your plants are affected by pests the better the chances of saving the plants.

Few bugs don’t pose a serious threat to the plants and they are also easy to get rid of. This guide will help you take better care of your plants and give you tips on how to deal with common houseplant pests.

How Houseplants Gets Affected With Pests?

There are a few often neglected yet important reasons why indoor plants get affected by pests. One of the most common is lack of care. Indoor plants are generally very hardy and require less maintenance. However, if they are neglected for too long, they become susceptible to houseplant pests and many common plant diseases.

Another reason is that indoor plants don’t get as much exposure to natural checks as outdoor plants. Plants growing in an outdoor environment benefit from many pollinators that control the population of pests. Moreover, outdoor plants are less likely to be affected by problems like overwatering, high humidity, and lack of air circulation.

Common Houseplant Pests 

Here are some of the most common houseplant pests that are likely to infest your plants and destroy them.

Spider Mites

These houseplant pests are very tiny and therefore, aren’t very visible. However, they pose a great threat to the plants despite their size. Spider mites live in colonies and they are mostly visible due to their white silky webs on the plants. In severe cases, they can cover the whole plant with their webbing. These common houseplant pests suck the sap from leaves causing them to become discolored and drop.

Some of the plants that are favorites of spider mites are pothos, fiddle leaf figs, and palms. The key factor in treating spider mites is to identify the infestation as soon as possible. Use insecticidal soap and water to remove them from the plants and increase the humidity to prevent their infestation. Moreover, if your plant is severely infested, keep it away from other plants to stop the spread of these houseplant pests.

Aphids

Another sap-sucking houseplant pest, Aphids also produce a sticky honeydew. This sticky liquid waste gives rise to a fungus called sooty mold causing plant parts to turn black. These pear-shaped pests can affect a variety of indoor flowering plants and can cause distortion and wilting. Similar to spider mites, these pests also live in colonies, however, unlike them, aphids are visible to the naked eye.

You can get rid of Aphids from the plants by simply spraying them with a water spray.

Mealybugs

Just like aphids, mealybugs are also soft-bodied houseplant pests, and they produce waxy deposits which later cause sooty mold on plants. Moreover, heavy infestation can cause yellowing and stunted or distorted growth. Mealybugs are easy to spot on plants as they are not very tiny. Some common plants that get affected by mealybugs are succulents, ferns, and many tropical plants.

You can get rid of mealybugs by washing or wiping off any cottony mass you see on the plants with isopropyl alcohol.

Scale Insects

These houseplant pests are either soft or hard-bodied. Scale consumes the sap of the plant, just like other pests. They are tiny and challenging to find, particularly in minor infestations. Upon closer examination, the bugs will appear as odd brown lumps on or beneath a leaf.

You can use your fingernail to scrape off any early-scale infestations. The waxy coating of adult scales provides some protection against pesticides. However, neem oil extract or canola oil-based sprays help reduce adult-scale insects by suffocating them when applied to plants. Numerous insecticides, including neem oil extract, insecticidal soap, and others, can harm their crawlers.

Whiteflies 

Another sap-sucking houseplant pest that frequently gathers in large numbers on the undersides of leaves is whiteflies. Because they are little, most people who own houseplants are unaware of them until they see enormous clouds of tiny flies take off when they disturb the plant. Flies can harm plants, both as adults and as nymphs.

Clean the plant. Apply insecticidal soap all over the plant, paying particular attention to the lower leaf surfaces. Whiteflies can also be managed by applying imidacloprid granules to the soil. When bringing indoor plants outside, mist them with insecticidal soap, or neem oil extract.

How To Get Rid Of Houseplant Pests?

Taking prompt action when you see pests can help avoid an infestation. Here’s how to properly handle them:

• Removal via Physical Means: To remove pests from leaves, particularly larger ones like mealybugs and scale, use a moist cloth. A light mist of water can help get rid of spider mites from leaves. Check on your plant once a week to see how it’s doing.
• Do-It-Yourself Solutions: For lesser infestations, make a basic spray solution with water and mild dish soap (about 1-2 tablespoons of soap per quart of water). To make sure it won’t harm the plant, test on a small leaf area before applying the spray directly to pests.
• Store-Purchased Solutions: For most plants, insecticidal soap or neem oil are safe and effective alternatives if do-it-yourself techniques aren’t sufficient. Read the label carefully before using such solutions.
• Helpful Insects: To keep pests under control, some individuals bring beneficial insects indoors, such as ladybugs. This may be useful in greenhouses or larger setups, but it isn’t always feasible in cramped areas.

Preventing Houseplant Pests

The best defense against insect issues is prevention. Here’s how to lower the danger:

• Examine New Plants: Look closely for indications of pests before including new plants into your collection. Examine the dirt and the undersides of the leaves.
• Isolation Period: Before integrating new plants with your existing plants, keep them apart from other plants for at least a week or two to watch for any indications of pests.
• Appropriate Humidity and Watering: Steer clear of excessive watering, which draws pests like fungus gnats. Instead of over-misting, try grouping plants together or using a humidifier if your plant needs a lot of humidity.
• Cleanliness & Hygiene: Use a moist towel to wipe leaves frequently to get rid of dust and other bugs. Prune of dead and old flowers or leaves.
• Air Circulation: Many houseplant pest issues can be avoided with proper air circulation. When the weather permits, think about opening windows or running a fan sometimes.

Conclusion

Despite their prevalence, common houseplant pests can be controlled with consistent attention and monitoring. You may enjoy a healthy, pest-free indoor garden by regularly inspecting your plants, keeping your surroundings clean, and taking quick action when pests show up. The occasional insect shouldn’t deter you from enjoying the pleasures of owning houseplants; if you are prepared, you will be able to keep your plants flourishing.