How To Identify And Control Common Houseplant Pests
In urban areas, houseplants can help residents without backyards or garden space feel grounded and connected to nature. From cacti to succulents, houseplants have grown in popularity, finding their way into apartments, townhouses, and bedrooms. However, even the most skilled plant owners will tell you that warding off garden pests is not easy. Pests can quickly find their way into your soil and multiply in numbers.
Keep your plants bright, lush, and green with Champion Termite & Pest Control. Our technicians specialize in providing thorough and effective Florida pest control and pest management. From flies to ants, our exterminators are equipped to handle common pest infestations in Palatka, St. Augustine, Orange Park, and Starke. Contact us today for more information or for a free pest control service estimate!
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are similar to scale insects. With their waxy protective coating and cotton-like appearance, mealybugs feed on plant sap. Common ornamental houseplants, like jade and hoyas, are particularly susceptible to damage by these pests.
If you suspect you have a mealybug problem, look for waxy deposits, yellowing leaves, stunted growth, or the presence of black sooty mold.
To avoid a pest infestation, it is recommended to closely inspect new plants before bringing them inside your home. In the first few weeks of introducing a new plant into your house, keep the plant in quarantine. Keeping a new potted plant a few feet away from other plants prevents insects and mites from spreading to nearby leaves and stems.
Aphids
Aphids are a troublesome pest due to their quick reproductive abilities and taste for a wide variety of houseplants. Aphids prefer new plant growth most, feeding on their sap until they wilt.
As aphids feed on this plant sap, they excrete any undigested sugar in the form of honeydew. Honeydew is a sticky waste produced by scale insects and insects that feed on sap. An abundance of honeydew can cause sooty mold to grow on the plants, turning the leaves and stems black. This can deter from the appearance of your beloved plants.
Aphids should be dealt with promptly. Their sweet honeydew secretions can also attract ants—leaving you with two pest problems rather than one!
A good way to knock aphids off of your plants is to spray the leaves and stems with water. Whether with a garden hose or a showerhead, a strong spray of water can dislodge and wash away pesky aphids.
For effective ant control, contact our pest control company today.
Common Whitefly
You’re admiring your flowers, when all of a sudden you notice tiny, white, flying insects surrounding them. These pests, known as whiteflies, can ruin the quality of your plant’s leaves, causing them to turn yellow and eventually die.
Immature whiteflies tend to cause the most damage. These young pests suck plant sap from underneath leaves, devastating the health of your previously beautiful plants.
In the event of whiteflies, insecticidal soap or neem oil can be used to deter them. This treatment must be applied consistently and regularly for best results.
Fungus Gnats
Nothing is more annoying than a group of fungus gnats flying around your couch, patio, or kitchen. While these pests are not particularly detrimental to plant health, fungus gnat larvae can feed on young plant roots.
These pests are often the result of overwatering. While you may feel tempted to shower your plants with extra love, it is wise to give your soil time to dry between waterings.
If you accidentally overwatered, don’t fret. Dump out standing water from saucers and opt for pots with drainage holes in the bottom. To handle a current pest problem, sticky traps can be set up to capture adult fungus gnats.
Scales
No, this name doesn’t refer to the protective skin of a snake or fish. Scales are a primarily brown, mostly immobile insect that voraciously consumes plant sap. Homemade sprays are not very effective against scales, with their hard, shield-like exteriors.
Fortunately, because of their immobility, scales are contained to a singular plant, with little ability to spread. Scales can be scraped off a plant with a fingernail or a toothpick and then disposed of.
