Managing Five Common Houseplant Pests
Plants are susceptible to attack by a variety of mite pests and insects.
Many of the common pests can cause significant damage to the health and appearance of the houseplants.
Plants that are under stress, grown in low-quality soil, or not vigorous growers are more susceptible to mite and insect injuries.
Here are several of the common insects to affect the houseplant: Aphids Aphids suck the juices from the underside of leaves on plants.
A large infestation can leave the foliage in poor health and will yellow and die overtime.
An aphid can appear in a variety of colors, such as brown, black, red, or green.
They are about 1/8 inch in length.
A minor outbreak of aphids is treated with a steady stream of water sprayed at the leaves.
A severe infestation is best treated with a general-purpose houseplant insecticide.
Mealybugs Mealybugs have an appearance that resembles clusters of cotton under the leave foliage.
They are about ΒΌ inch in length with soft bodies and kill plant life by sucking out the plant juices.
A small infestation is controlled by applying rubbing alcohol to each of the detected insects.
A more large-scale outbreak is controlled with a regular application of houseplant insecticide.
Scales Scales are about 1/8 inch in length with a round or oval shape and have a shell-like outer covering.
They appear in several colors, including white, gray, black and brown.
These insects kill the plants by sucking the plant juices, while also depositing a shiny, sticky honeydew substance on the foliage.
A minor outbreak is controlled with soapsuds, while a large and persistent attack is handled with a regular application of houseplant insecticide.
Spider Mites Spider mites are one of the smallest insects to attack the houseplants.
These tiny insects are noticed when yellow dots appear on the underside of the leaves.
A large colony of spider mites can cause the appearance of fine webbing with a dull look to the leaves.
Spider mites are easy to control with a regular spray of lukewarm water.
A major outbreak may need a repeated application of general-purpose houseplant pesticide.
Whiteflies Whiteflies can build up on houseplants and will fly off if disturbed, which gives the appearance of flying dandruff.
These white insects will suck on the plant juices which will turn the leaves a yellow color.
If the plants aren't treated early enough, they will start to die off due to the damage caused.
Control these insects by applying a regular houseplant insecticide.
Many of the common pests can cause significant damage to the health and appearance of the houseplants.
Plants that are under stress, grown in low-quality soil, or not vigorous growers are more susceptible to mite and insect injuries.
Here are several of the common insects to affect the houseplant: Aphids Aphids suck the juices from the underside of leaves on plants.
A large infestation can leave the foliage in poor health and will yellow and die overtime.
An aphid can appear in a variety of colors, such as brown, black, red, or green.
They are about 1/8 inch in length.
A minor outbreak of aphids is treated with a steady stream of water sprayed at the leaves.
A severe infestation is best treated with a general-purpose houseplant insecticide.
Mealybugs Mealybugs have an appearance that resembles clusters of cotton under the leave foliage.
They are about ΒΌ inch in length with soft bodies and kill plant life by sucking out the plant juices.
A small infestation is controlled by applying rubbing alcohol to each of the detected insects.
A more large-scale outbreak is controlled with a regular application of houseplant insecticide.
Scales Scales are about 1/8 inch in length with a round or oval shape and have a shell-like outer covering.
They appear in several colors, including white, gray, black and brown.
These insects kill the plants by sucking the plant juices, while also depositing a shiny, sticky honeydew substance on the foliage.
A minor outbreak is controlled with soapsuds, while a large and persistent attack is handled with a regular application of houseplant insecticide.
Spider Mites Spider mites are one of the smallest insects to attack the houseplants.
These tiny insects are noticed when yellow dots appear on the underside of the leaves.
A large colony of spider mites can cause the appearance of fine webbing with a dull look to the leaves.
Spider mites are easy to control with a regular spray of lukewarm water.
A major outbreak may need a repeated application of general-purpose houseplant pesticide.
Whiteflies Whiteflies can build up on houseplants and will fly off if disturbed, which gives the appearance of flying dandruff.
These white insects will suck on the plant juices which will turn the leaves a yellow color.
If the plants aren't treated early enough, they will start to die off due to the damage caused.
Control these insects by applying a regular houseplant insecticide.
