How to Identify and Remove Common Houseplant Pests

Nothing is more exciting than bringing your first houseplant home. And nothing can be as discouraging as finding out they attract insects. Where do these houseplant pests come from?

Unfortunately, these pesky bugs can arrive in many different ways, from simply flying through an open door to being in a bag of potting mix. They can also arrive already on your plant, so always inspect your plant before purchasing. Routine inspections of leaves, stems, and soil will also help ensure these insects don’t harm your plant long-term.

If you notice any of these bugs doing damage, first isolate your plant from any other plants you may have. Then once you identify which pests are on your plant, you can safely control them – or eliminate then for good.

Aphid
A more well-known insect, aphids are generally green in color, though they can almost any color, including red, black, and white. These plump, soft-bodied pests can be easily removed by giving your plant a pressure wash in the shower. Aphids can persist, however, so it’s a good idea to keep a spray bottle of water mixed with fragrance-free soap on hand. Thoroughly soak the tops and bottoms of your plant’s leaves whenever you see aphids. A soap soak will kill them on contact. You can also spray your plant with a water and neem oil (a natural insecticide) solution, which is a great way to prevent future aphid infestations.

Fungus Gnat
If you’ve ever noticed minuscule insects flying around the soil of your plant, you were probably seeing fungus gnats. While the adult flies don’t cause much harm, their larvae that lives in the soil can damage your plant’s roots. Fungus gnats aren’t healthy for your plant, but they favor damp soil and rotting roots. Having these insects around is a sign that you might be overwatering your plant or it’s not draining properly! Fungus gnat eggs and larvae can be effectively eliminated if you let the soil dry out completely between waterings. Sticky traps can also capture the adult gnats, which will help control the population.

Spider Mite
Noticing red-orange specs on your plant? They’re most likely spider mites, insects no bigger than a pinhead that create webs on the intersection of stems. These houseplant pests drink the sap inside the plant’s stems and leaves, which causes speckling, yellowing, and eventual leaf drop. As with aphids, a high-powered shower is your first line of defense. Then, thoroughly spray your plant and the soil with a mixture of water and natural soap (or neem oil). Continue to spray your plant every 7-10 days to interrupt the growth cycle of these mites and keep them from harming your plant.

Mealybug
The white, cottony fuzz along your plant’s stems may look like fungus, but it’s actually the creation of mealybugs. These insects are miniature and white and feast on the plant’s juices. Mealybugs are resistant to most chemical pesticides, but can be effectively removed with rubbing alcohol. Simply soak a Q-tip or cotton ball, and rub the leaves and stems of your plant, including at the base of the soil and edge of the pot. Additional treatment with a water and natural soap or neem oil mixture is also highly effective. As with any pests, you may have to continue treating your plant for a few weeks to ensure it’s healthy.

Are Your Plants Pest Free?
Don’t let houseplant pests keep you from enjoying the foliage in your home! Have you gotten rid of a plant because of bugs? What pest control remedies have been effective for you? I’m curious!

XO,
Micah