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Put these insects under gardening law until you annihilate THEM!

Marjorie Blare, Dakota County Master Gardener

This is the time of year when bugs, not eliminated earlier in the year, try to take over your plants. Don’t get those creepy-crawly pests ruin your houseplants. Read this article to learn how to prevent getting those bugs and how to eliminate them if they manage to creep in.

Put these insects under gardening law until you annihilate THEM!

THEM: A HORROR HORDE OF CREEPY-CRAWLY PESTS CLAWING OUT OF THE SOIL AND FROM UNDERNEATH LEAVES!

Kill one and two take its place!


Steps you can take to reduce the chances of an infestation:

  • Chose the right plant for the place it will live; take into consider light, temperature, soil/air humidity and air circulation. 

  • Before bringing them inside, inspect stems, tops and undersides of leaves (also the pots), for insects, webbing, holes and eggs.


Things you can do to treat infestations:

  • Use a forceful stream of water to dislodge insects.

  • Physically remove pests with fingers or tweezers. 

  • Use yellow sticky traps to trap flying insects like whiteflies, fungus gnats or thrips.

  • Small numbers of scale insects can be scraped off with a fingernail file or the like.

  • Re-pot using new soil and sterilized pots, making sure to thoroughly wash off old soil. 

  • Prune if a pest issue is limited to a few leaves, stems or branches.

  • Dispose of the entire plant if it’s heavily infested.


Indoor Plant Insects

Aphids

Fungus gnats

Mealybugs

Thrips

Whiteflies

Spidermites

Scale Insects

Boston Fern

x


x



x


Crotons



x



x

x

ZZ plant

x

x

x

x


x

x

Snake Plants

x

x

x

x


x

x

Easter Cactus

x


x



x

x

Fiddle leaf fig


x

x



x


Spider plants

x

x

x



x

x

Monstera


x




x


Pothos



x



x

x

Jade plant



x



x

x

Rubber plant



x



x

x

Prayer plant

x

x

x



x


Air plant



x




x

Peace Lily


x

x



x

x

String of Pearls

x


x



x


African violets



x

x


Cyclamen mites


Chinese Evergreen

x


x



x

x


Insecticides

Aphids

Fungus gnat

larvae

Mealybugs

Thrips

Whiteflies

Spidermites

Scale Insects

Pyrethrins

x


x

x

x


x

Insecticidal Soap

x



x

x

x

x

Plant oil extracts

x



x

x

x

x

Neem Oil

x



x

x



Bti strain AM 65-52*


x






Imidacloprid**

x


x


x


x(soft)

*Used in mosquito dunks

**Toxic to Bees


Insecticide Precautions:

When using a product that requires mixing with water, make only as much as you expect to use in one day and use it that day. Apply chemicals outdoors whenever possible.


Use a well-ventilated area to spray plants indoors.

  • Enclose your plant in a plastic bag and seal shut.

  • Cut a small hole and insert your spray nozzle.

  • Spray your plant, especially under the leaves.

  • Remove the nozzle and quickly cover the hole with duct tape.

  • Keep it out of direct sun until dry.


CAUTION: Mention of a pesticide or use of a pesticide label is for educational purposes only. Always follow the pesticide label directions attached to the pesticide container you are using. Be sure that the area you wish to treat is listed on the label of the pesticide you intend to use. Remember, the label is the law. Never use any pesticide on a plant that is moisture-stressed. Water the soil a day or two before applying pesticides.





Photo credit: Marjorie Blare, artist (1)


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