Common Houseplant Pests And How To Protect Your Plants From Them

Houseplants are a growing choice for many plant lovers these days. And even though growing houseplants are relatively easy there are many challenges that one has to follow such as houseplant pests.

Houseplant pests can be a bigger threat to the health and growth of your plants than you imagine so every plant lover needs to have a good idea on how to get rid of houseplant pests as infestation can happen anytime even if you take good plant care.

So, let’s have a look at some common houseplant pests and how you can get rid of them easily and safely.

Aphids:

These houseplant pests are tiny pear-shaped bugs that feed on the plant sap. Also known as plant lice, Aphids can be found on new growth or stems and can cause yellowing or curly leaves which can stunt the overall growth of the plant. Moreover, these pests leave behind a sticky substance called honeydew which attracts ants and can cause the growth of sooty mold and fungus.

How to get rid of Aphids?

You can simply dislodge aphids from your plants by spraying them with a strong blast of water. Furthermore, to ensure that they won't return, spray your plants with a mixture of water and dish soap 2 to 3 times a week. You can also use neem oil or any insecticidal soap to deal with any heavy infestation. 

Brown Scale:

Brown scales are another houseplant pest that is a little tough to identify as they look like a waxy growth on the plant. These pests are usually found on the stems or the undersides of leaves. The damage done by these houseplant pests can go unnoticed as they slowly feed on the sap of the plant leaving it vulnerable to many other diseases. 

How to get rid of Brown Scales?

To protect your plants from these houseplant pests you can either remove them with your hands or use a paper towel dipped in rubbing alcohol to clean the plant. And just like Aphids, you need to take care of the honeydew left behind by the brown scale. You can remove them with a water-dipped paper towel/tissue or a toothbrush.

Mealybugs:

Mealy bugs are small white, oval-shaped houseplant pests. These bugs are also hard to find just like their cousins, brown scale, due to their waxy outer coating. It is important to find these bugs before they mature as it is a sign that they have laid many eggs. Mealybugs can cause yellowing leaves and loss of many fruits, flowers, and vegetables. Furthermore, they also leave behind honeydew which encourages the growth of sooty mold and stops enough sunlight from reaching the plant.

How to get rid of Mealybugs?

The main problem with these houseplant pests is that they are hard to spot but once you do that it is easy to get rid of them. You can blast them with a splash of water or dab them with a paper towel or cotton dipped in rubbing alcohol, this would kill them directly. You can also use neem oil or insecticidal soap to remove mealybugs from your indoor plants.

Whiteflies:

Whiteflies are another annoying houseplant bug. These small houseplant pests usually reside on flowering plants or on the underside of leaves. These insects can weaken the plant which causes leaves to turn yellow or wilt. Moreover, these insects also leave honeydew. However, they are easy to find, you just need to move your plants and you’ll see a swarm of these houseplant pests storming around the plant.

How to get rid of Whiteflies?

There are many ways through which you can remove whiteflies and ensure better plant care. Firstly, you need to get rid of the flying insects for that you can blast them with splashes of water you can also add dish soap. Secondly, to get rid of larvae or eggs you can add sticky traps around your plant and soil. Moreover, you can also treat the plant with neem oil to get rid of the eggs and larvae.

Conclusion

Houseplants are an interesting choice for many indoor gardens as they provide many benefits and also increase the overall appeal of your house. However, houseplant pests can ruin this experience and cause many problems to the health and growth of your plants. Through this article, we hope to have provided you with some useful information. Additionally, you should regularly check your plants for any pest infestation.

Furthermore, you can use many apps such as Plantora- The best plant care and identification app. This app helps you identify many plant diseases and pests. It also provides many solutions and plant care guides which can help your plant reach its optimal growth.