Houseplants are a great way to add some greenery and life to your home. They can purify the air, boost your mood, and brighten up your space. However, houseplants can also attract some unwanted pests that can damage your plants…
4 most common houseplant pests:
SCALE INSECTS
These small insects feed by sucking sap and can weaken host plants. Their hard-shells protect them from chemicals, so the best way to treat small colonies is to simply wipe the pests off the plant with a damp cloth or sponge.
GLASSHOUSE RED SPIDERMITE
This tiny sap-feeding mite can cause mottled leaves and early leaf loss, they are difficult to see, but can usually be found on the underside of leaves. Deter glasshouse red spider mites by keeping the atmosphere humid.
MEALY BUGS
Soft-bodied insects that feed on plant sap, they excrete sticky honeydew, which attracts mould.
Mould needs to be wiped off, and mealy bugs controlled with chemicals.
FUNGUS GNATS/SCIARID FLIES
Small black flies which are attracted to damp soil. Symptoms include stunted plants growth, discolouration, swarms of gnats and wriggling white movement in the soil from larvae.
How to treat pests?
There are several ways to treat houseplant pests including natural methods and chemicals.
Depending on the specific pest and houseplant, we would advise wiping leaves, or blasting plants with a hose pipe to physically remove the pests.
Essential oils can be used as an alternative to using chemicals, perfect for organic gardeners.
Greenhouse fly catchers are fantastic at controlling aphids, midges and other pests in your greenhouse or conservatory. They are sticky traps which catch unwanted flying pests.
And if chemicals are still required we sell a selection of both organic, contact and systemic sprays for pests including; SB plant invigorator and bug killer, Neudorff BugFree and Bug Clear Ultra.
If you need any help or advise on what to buy or how to treat an infestation please give our team and call and they will be happy to help.