Houseplants Gardening Guide - Indoor Garden Pests

While there are several varieties of pesky pests that feed on our beloved houseplants, there are a specific number of them that can be found in just about every area.

The first culprit of pesky nuisances is Bacteria. Although it cannot be viewed by the naked eye, its effects can be detrimental to the health of your plants.

The most common ailment houseplants suffer is Root Rot. This condition is caused by excessive watering. While this bacterium is already present in the soil, the excess moisture allows it to grow into a massive colony. When this has occurred, the bacteria moves up the body of the plant, causing extensive damage to the leaves and most often result in death.

In order to prevent this ailment from occurring, you must do extensive and thorough research. Finding out exactly how much water your particular species of plant needs and how often to water is a golden key to prevention.

Another common houseplant pest is the Whitefly. These are very easy to spot. A simple shake of your plants leaves will reveal a waxy, white bodied pest that is invading your plant. Aphids are another danger to your beloved houseplants. These pests are visible like the whitefly, but appear to be more rounded, especially after feasting on your beautiful plant.

There is another bug known as the Mealybug. This bug is different from the ones mentioned earlier, as they attach themselves between the branch and the stem of a plant. These bugs create a wet looking sac that almost resembles that of wet cotton.

Next on the list of troublesome pests are the Spider mites. As the name suggests, the se small creatures resemble that of a small spider and can only be viewed with a magnifying glass. These mites create webs on the leaves of the plant. The characteristics of a Spider Mite include yellowish bodies with light black spots. In the fall, these mites will have more of a reddish color body. In addition to these mites, Black mites are also a common houseplant pest.

The next pest is entitled the Fungus Gnat. While these flying pests are not relatively harmful to your plant, the larvae they produce from the eggs laid in the soil feed on the roots of your plant, causing serious damage. The best solution is to treat the soil for the eggs and larvae as well as kill the flying ones. Any gnats left flying around will only result in more eggs being laid in the soil.

Taking care of these destructive pests can usually be accomplished with a commercial brand insecticide. However, for Fungus Gnats and Spider Mites, an application of Neem Oil works the best. In addition, Mealybugs are taken care of with the natural assistance of Ladybugs. Home remedies have become quite popular as an alternative to harsh chemicals. Simply adding a half an ounce of ordinary dishwashing detergent to a quart of water and placing it in a spray bottle is a great home remedy for alleviating pests. Be sure that when you spray the soap mixture, that you also spray the underside of the leaves as well.

It is important to note, not to spray the solution too frequently. This may result in clogged leaf pores which are the areas plants use to breathe with. Clogging these pores will inhibit the plants ability to take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen.

Keeping your plants pest free will allow their beauty to lift your spirits and brighten your home.

         

Indoor Houseplant Care