Consider yourself something of a super plant parent? Houseplant pests will really test your mettle. Your favorite plant that has thrived for months or even years suddenly droops or yellows. Perhaps its new leaves unfurl puckered and deformed. A closer look might make you shiver. Not only is there something, well, kind of creepy about large populations of very tiny insects living in our midst, but these houseplant pests can do real damage and must be taken seriously.
An overwhelmed or inexperienced plant owner might think that the problem will go away on its own, but this is unlikely. Swift identification and treatment is crucial for catching an infestation before it gets out of hand (many of these insects reproduce rapidly, causing dramatic population booms). If you truly care for your plants, you will put any squeamishness aside tend to them through good times and bad.
To help you move through this unfortunate yet inevitable phase of plant parenthood, we’re posting a 3 part series called Dealing with Houseplant Pests. In this post, Part 1, you’ll find some background information about houseplant pests, preventative care tips to avoid them in the first place and an overview of the different treatment methods available for handling an infestation.
Ambius plants are beloved for their lush, trailing foliage that instantly livens up any indoor space. However, these tropical beauties can fall victim to various creepy-crawly pests that damage leaves and stunt growth In this guide, we’ll cover the most common ambius plant bugs and proven ways to banish them for good
What Bugs Are Attracted to Ambius Plants?
Several sneaky pests target these popular houseplants in search of sustenance. Here are the main offenders to watch out for:
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are soft-bodied insects that extract sap from ambius leaves and stems. They secrete sticky honeydew and coat themselves in white waxy fibers. Heavy infestations cause yellowing, wilting, and leaf drop.
Spider Mites
Too small to be seen with the naked eye, spider mites pierce plant cells and suck out the contents. They leave behind yellow stippling and fine webbing on foliage. Left unchecked, they can defoliate ambius plants.
Aphids
Green black or peach-colored sap sucking aphids congregate on young shoots and undersides of leaves. Their feeding causes curled, warped growth. Honeydew secretions also promote sooty mold.
Thrips
Tiny thrips rasp leaf surfaces and feed on the oozing sap. This results in silver-white scarring on leaves and premature bud drop. They also spread debilitating viruses.
Fungus Gnats
Fungus gnat larvae feed on plant roots and organic matter in potting mix. This damages roots and introduces diseases Adults are merely a nuisance
Prevention: Keeping Pests Away from Ambius Plants
Stopping pests before they strike is key! Here are organic, non-toxic ways to deter them:
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Remove weeds, debris, and infected plants which harbor bugs.
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Quarantine and inspect new plants thoroughly before introducing.
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Apply horticultural oils or insecticidal soaps bi-weekly to deter pests.
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Use yellow sticky traps to monitor and catch adult insects.
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Allow soil to dry out between waterings to deter fungus gnats.
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Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitoid wasps.
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Maintain proper air circulation and prune plants to prevent dense, humid conditions.
Safe, Natural Control Methods for Ambius Plant Pests
If prevention fails and pests slip through, here are safe ways to get infestations under control:
Insecticidal Soap
Insecticidal soap solutions disrupt pests’ cell membranes on contact, causing dehydration and death. Spray directly on bugs for quick knockdown.
Neem Oil
Derived from the neem tree, this non-toxic oil smothers soft-bodied insects and prevents larvae from maturing. Use it to wipe out aphids, mealybugs, thrips, and more.
Diatomaceous Earth
Sprinkle this abrasive, desiccant powder on soil to slice up and desiccate crawling pests like fungus gnat larvae. It’s non-toxic to humans.
Horticultural Oil
These highly refined oils smother eggs, larvae, and soft-bodied pests by coating and suffocating them. Use as a soil drench or foliar spray.
Biological Control
Releasing predatory mites, nematodes, or parasitic wasps allows nature to take its course and organically destroys pests.
When to Use Pesticides for Severe Ambius Infestations
For heavy infestations, pesticide use may be warranted. Seek out low-toxicity options labeled for indoor use. Insect growth regulator, pyrethrin, or neonicotinoid products can eliminate resistant pests at the larvae stage before they mature and reproduce.
Always carefully follow label directions and keep pets away until spray deposits dry. Using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies such as traps, barriers, and vacuuming along with targeted pesticide use can knock down infestations while minimizing risk.
While most bugs see ambius plants as an all-you-can-eat buffet, you don’t have to offer up your houseplants without a fight. By taking prevention seriously and using natural control methods at the first signs of infestation, you can keep your plants lush, healthy, and pest-free. Maintain vigilance, act early, and be willing to bring out the big guns if pests persist. With a strategic IPM approach, you can defend your ambius collection from creepy-crawly destruction!
Houseplant Pest Treatment Methods
When pests are discovered, the best way to proceed is a two-pronged approach: first, physically removing as many pests as possible and second, treating with some form of insecticide.
Physical removal
For physical treatment, use a q-tip or even your fingers to simply remove (or smush) as many of the pests as possible. Some pests like aphids can be rinsed off en masse with the gentle spray of water from your sink hose sprayer. Clip away heavily infested leaves or stems, and dispose of them. For some pests like mealybugs and scale, it may be helpful to douse the q-tip in rubbing alcohol to aid in pest removal.
Aphids often congregate on the stems of plants. A cluster like this can be sprayed off with water.
Treating pests with household products
When you’re ready to move on to more generalized treatment of your plants, the most gentle things you can use to treat pests are household products you probably already have on hand like gentle Castile soap (not detergent), rubbing alcohol, and vegetable oil. Soap (household or insecticidal) is the least toxic way to treat the problem. Soap coats insects and breaks down their bodies with fatty acids. You may need to repeat several times to completely eradicate a problem, because the soap must touch the insects to be effective. Make sure to keep any plants treated with soap out of direct sun, as it can increase the likelihood of sunburn.
Natural houseplant pest treatments
Other natural products often used for houseplant pests are diatomaceous earth, beneficial parasites, and horticultural oils. Neem oil is a popular organic treatment. It is a complex plant-derived oil that makes insects’ hormones go haywire, interrupting maturation and appetite. It has a rather pungent odor and can cause allergic reactions in some people, but it is natural, effective, and happens to give foliage a beautiful shine!
A gentle insecticidal soap solution is widely available at nurseries and garden centers and is a great product to have on hand. This soap is specially formulated for use on plants and is therefore generally more gentle and effective than household soaps. Some brands include ingredients like neem oil and kelp extract to keep plants extra happy, lustrous, and safe from pests.
Although gentle, these soaps and oils can still harm some types of plants. Some known to be sensitive to soap or neem treatments are Begonias, ferns, jade plants, palms, Scheffleras, Alocasias and Euphorbias. Do your research and test on a small leaf before spraying the whole plant.
Systemic houseplant pest treatment
Systemics are stronger products that must be watered into the soil. The plant takes it in through the roots, becoming toxic to the insects. These chemicals can be potentially harmful, so always read labels carefully and follow directions for proper use. Unless you have a serious collection of houseplants and know what you’re getting into, it’s best to use gentler means of control.
Although it can be temping in a moment of haste or laziness, don’t be too heavy-handed with chemical pesticides; they can damage plants, introduce toxins into your home and the environment, and often do more harm than good. Save systemics for very special or mature plants you can’t bear to lose.
Where Do Houseplant Pests Come From?
One of the most common questions we’re asked at Pistils is where houseplant pests come from. Pests come into your home a number of ways. They can find their way in through open windows (yes, many of them fly) and on people, pets, or even produce or flowers from your garden. They might hitch a ride on newly purchased plants from a nursery, or plants that have been enjoying a summer holiday on your patio. They can even find their way into open bags of soil and then into your home when you repot.
Any self-respecting wholesale or retail nursery checks their plants diligently and employs a wide arsenal of tools and products to keep plants pest-free by the time you take them home. However, sometimes sneaky stowaways or unhatched eggs evade detection. Some pests, like spider mites, are nearly invisible to the naked eye — especially when there’s only a few present — and so can be exceptionally difficult to spy at the early phases of an infestation. That said, whenever you bring new plants into your collection, whether from the nursery or from a friend, you’ll want to take some preventative care steps.
Proper care
When it comes to houseplant pests, the best preventative measure is good regular care and a watchful eye.
Improper care or growing conditions can make a plant weak and more susceptible to pests. Over or under watering, insufficient light, lack of humidity, fertilizer misuse, and extreme temperature changes can all significantly weaken a plant.
Your first step to preventing pests (and keeping your plants healthy in general!) is to always identify your plants and do research to make sure you are providing the proper care. Good light and consistent watering are key.
Fresh soil and clean pots
Because pests often stowaway in soil, always use clean containers and sterilized potting mix. Watch closely for changes in appearance and growing habits.
Careful observation and early action
Very small and often difficult or impossible to see with the naked eye, it’s easy to miss a pest problem until it’s too late and your plant is in real danger, which is why frequent and careful inspection of your plants is so important. Consider getting a magnifying glass or lighted hand lens to better see and identify these very tiny creatures. Look closely at the junctions of stems and leaves, undersides of leaves, and any delicate new growth, which is a bug’s absolute favorite supper.
Remember to check roots for any abnormalities when repotting. Keep your tools clean and do not reuse the same cloth or duster to clean all of your plants, which can spread pests. Isolate any sick plants immediately by moving them outside (if temperatures allow), or as far as possible from healthy plants.
Isolate new plants and problem plants
If you have space, consider isolating any new plants for up to a month before adding them to your collection to make sure they’re not carrying any pests. If you don’t have space, consider a gentle insecticidal treatment just to be safe.
If, during your routine care, you do spot the beginning of a problem on a given plant, you’ll also want to isolate or quarantine it. When it comes to your precious plant collection, it’s much better to be safe than sorry!
Summer clean-up
If you’ve put your plants outdoors for summer, carefully inspect and wash these plants before bringing them back inside. There are a few insects that would prefer to live outdoors but may end up in your house for one reason or another. These insects will often seek refuge in the familiar territory of plant life and wind up nibbling on your houseplants to keep from starving. These are insects such as earwigs, pill bugs, ants and caterpillars. When moving plants back inside from any extended period of time, consider spraying foliage and/or soaking pots with a diluted insecticidal soap solution to avoid these bugs.
10 Organic Ways to Control Pests in the Garden
FAQ
What are ways to prevent and control pests?
What is the most common method of pest control?
What are the five methods of pest control?
How to prevent mealybugs on plants?
How do you control pests & diseases?
The best way to control both pests and diseases is to keep plants healthy. Build healthy soil. Healthy soil provides a home to friendly insects and helps prevent many plant diseases. Plant resistant varieties. Ask farmers or extension agents about seeds to make sure the ones you choose are resistant to common pests and diseases.
How to control pests?
Nowadays, you can choose from many different methods as you plan your strategy for controlling pests. Sometimes a non-chemical method of control is as effective and convenient as a chemical alternative. For many pests, total elimination is almost impossible, but it is possible to control them. Knowing your options is the key to pest control.
How do you get rid of pests on plants?
Spraying plants with mild soapy water or water mixed with vegetable oil will kill these pests. Do not use detergents or strong soaps because they damage plants, soil, and insects. Urine diluted in water and sprayed on plants kills pests. Mix 1 cup of urine with 10 cups of water. Let it sit in a closed container for 10 days.
How to control bean beetles without pesticides?
Beneficial insects like lacewings, ladybugs, and parasitic wasps aid significantly in controlling bean beetle populations without pesticide use when provided with habitat and nectar sources. Monitor the number of predators present and enhance their environment as needed.