Pesty Pests: Houseplant Care
Identifying specific pests
Last week we talked a little about preventing houseplant pests, and some cleanup methods you can use that don't involve deadly chemicals. If you missed it or want to see it again, drop a line and we'll get that out to you.
Here are a few specific pests that can invade your houseplants.
Spider Mites
Boy, do we HATE spider mites. These oval-shaped mites are usually yellow or green in color and are difficult to see. If the underside of your plant's leaves are covered with white bumps, you've got spider mites. Another sign of this horrid pest is white spiderweb draped over the branches and leaves.
If you got a live Christmas tree this season, keep your eyes peeled for an infestation of spider mites. That's how they get into the house in the middle of the winter.
Wash the whole plant with mild detergent solution, and don't miss the underside of a single leaf. You'll probably have to do this every 7-10 days until the mites are all killed off.
Scale Insects
If you see brown or grey bumps on your plants, you might have scale. Adult scale insects don't have legs.
These insects are usually found on the stems and undersides of the leaves. Heavy infestation causes yellow leaves that drop off, stunting the plants.
Wash the plant in mild detergent solution, and wipe each leaf off with a well-rinsed cloth. If you use a chemical insecticide, be prepared to repeat spraying every 10-14 days until the problem is solved.
Mealybugs
You can see these pests because they're huge: 3/16 of an inch! Well, OK, so that's not so huge. Mealybugs are sometimes confused with powdery mildew, so look for legs to see which one you have.
Mealybugs like the undersides of leaves and the joints where leaves meet the stem. They also live in the top of the soil, so scrape off and replace the first couple of inches if you've got a mealybug infestation.
Wash with mild detergent solution, getting into every crevice. Repeat every 10-14 days as needed.
Whiteflies
Another common problem, especially in greenhouses, so if you got a greenhouse plant for a Christmas gift, watch out.
These flies come up in a cloud when you touch the plant, though they're not easy to see when nestled down into the leaves. They don't kill plants so much as leave them weak.
To control whiteflies, hang up a sticky strip and wash every 5 days with a mild detergent solution.
If All Else Fails...
For a serious infestation, cut the plant back down to the soil. Repot if necessary. Keep it lightly watered with a mild fertilizer and watch for new sprouts. It could happen!
If you think you've got a problem that hasn't been addressed here, email us at beiersgreenhouse@beiersgreenhouse.com and we'll try to find the answer. Send a picture, and we'll do our best!
