Keeping indoor plants is a great way to make any living space look and feel more inviting. However, under the wrong conditions, your indoor plants can become vulnerable to pests. While many homeowners turn to Wagner Pest Solutions for larger pests, we think it’s still important to be aware of the tiny-but-common pests that annoy your indoor plants. So, let’s take a look at just a few of these.
Aphids
Aphids are small insects that feed on plant sap, leaving behind sticky secretions called honeydew and excrement. This sugary residue encourages fungus growth and also attracts other pests like ants. To keep aphids away, use insecticidal soap or neem oil to kill them off before they spread. You can also use horticultural oils as an effective preventative measure against aphids.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are white, cotton-like insects that hide in hard-to-reach places such as between leaves or in flower petals. They feed off of the plant’s sap, which causes discoloration of the foliage and results in stunted growth. The bugs themselves may not always be visible, but their presence is easy to spot due to the presence of a sticky substance secreted by them known as honeydew. To get rid of mealybugs, apply an insecticidal soap or neem oil solution directly onto the pest itself and its eggs if possible. Remember to regularly inspect your plants for signs of mealybugs and act quickly if you see any evidence of infestation.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are small arachnids that live on outdoor plants but can easily migrate indoors via air currents or even clothing fibers. They feed by piercing through leaves and stems with their needle-like mouth parts and sucking out the contents inside, which stunts growth and causes the yellowing of foliage over time. Similar to how you treat aphids and mealybugs, the same is true for spider mites. If necessary, prune away severely affected leaves and stems to stop the further spread of these pests within your home garden!
Protect Your Indoor Plants and Your Home
Keeping indoor plants healthy requires regular inspection for signs of pest infestations and acting accordingly when needed so that you don’t have to worry about major damage occurring later down the line. Furthermore, keeping your indoor plants happy and pest-free means you won’t attract larger pests like spiders, ants, and scorpions. However, if you suspect you have pests invading your home in Glendale, AZ, give Wagner Pest Solution a call at (623) 471-1475.