Aphids are a common houseplant pest.
Houseplants attract several insect pests even if you never set the plants outdoors. Mites, aphids, mealybugs and thrips are the prime houseplant pests, though there are others that may affect your plants depending on your area. Chemical control may not be desirable for a variety of reasons, including the presence of children or pets in the home who can be harmed by chemical pest treatments. Finding a natural way to keep your houseplants healthy is vital. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Inspect the plant for signs of infestation. Look on the underside of leaves and along stems for visible pests, brown spots or sticky residue left behind by the pests.
2. Trim away heavily damaged or infested foliage and dispose of it outside. Cut the leaves or stems from the plant where they emerge from a main, undamaged or minimally damaged stem.
3. Pick the insects from the plants by hand if the infestation is minor. Submerge the pests in a bowl filled with soapy water to kill them so they do not infest the plant again.
4. Place the plant pot in a plastic bag. Gather the bag around the stem of the plant and tie it loosely. Set the pot in the shower and rinse the foliage with the shower spray. Spray on the underside of the leaves where the pests tend to congregate, rinsing the insects from the plant and down the drain. Spraying alone often controls minor insect problems.
5. Combine 2 tbsp. of mild dish soap with 1 gallon of water. Place the soap solution in a spray bottle. Spray the underside of the leaves and other affected areas with the solution, which kills aphids and other soft-bodied pests. Treat the plants every three to five days until the infestation is controlled.
6. Lower the amount of nitrogen supplied to the plant by either using a lower nitrogen fertilizer or fertilizing half as often. High nitrogen and an overabundance of new foliage can lead to insect problems such as mealybugs.
Tags: underside leaves, from plant, insect problems, insects from, Spray underside, Spray underside leaves