Pasquesi: Garden Info - Indoor Plants (Plant Pests)

INDOOR PLANT PESTS

Indoor plants are susceptible to a wide variety of insects that can infect and destroy a beautiful indoor garden rapidly. In some cases, insects are more of a nuisance than a pest. To keep plants healthy, it is important to follow a regular pest control program.

Guidelines

Consistent effort and some basic rules will ensure pests are kept at bay:

isolate newly-purchased plants from other plants for two to three weeks. During this time, any insect or disease problems can be spotted and controlled
check all indoor plants’ leaves and stems periodically for insect infestations
small infestations of insects can be washed off with a soft brush, old toothbrush or cloth dipped in warm, soapy water. Placing plants in the shower on a regular basis helps to wash off insects, too
remove large, sucking insects, such as aphids, with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol
only use insecticides when large populations of insects are present. Always use insecticides outdoors or in a well-ventilated area
always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when using insecticides. Improper use of chemical applications may injure or kill the plant
ensure plants are potted in disease-free potting soil. Do not use potting mix that has previously housed an infected plant
disinfect used flats and pots before reusing by washing with bleach and water
regularly remove old or infected leaves or debris from plants
ensure water is not left standing on leaves. This will harbor disease and may lead to fungal growth
maintain good air circulation around the plants

Problem	Insect	Appearance	What they do	Treatment
Distorted or stunted growth. Black, sooty-like mold.	Aphid	Small, soft-bodied insect, with or without wings.	Feeds on stems and the underside of new leaves.	Remove small colonies with a wet cloth or cotton swab. Remove larger colonies by applying diazinon, or pruning the infected area.
Plants are cut off at, or above, the soil level	Cutworm	Tan-colored, flesh caterpillers up to four inches long.	Chews plants at, or just above, the soil surface. Sometimes feeds on above ground plant parts.	Drench soil with diazinon.
Unsightly insects on plant.	Earwigs	Reddish-brown beetle. Approximately one inch long. Pinchers at rear.	Feeds on decaying plant material — seldom a problem.	More of a nuisance, than a pest. Hand remove.
Plant growth is stunted.	Fungus gnats	Black flies approximately 1/8 of an inch long. They have delicate wings and long legs.	They run along soil surface and fly around plants. Larvae lives in soil and feeds on plant roots.	Allow the potting mix to dry out between waterings. If plant prefers moist conditions, remove plant from soil, wash roots with water and re-pot. Drench soil with diazinon.
Leaves have a sooty-mold appearance.	Mealybugs	Small, soft-bodied insects with a white, cotton-like appearance.	Feeds on leaf and bud axils.	Remove small infestations with a cotton swab soaked with rubbing alcohol. Larger infestations may require Schultz Insect Killer. Indoor oil sprays are effective, also. Remove as many insects as possible to increase effectiveness of treatments.
Plant has lost its vigor and its growth is slow. Often affects African Violets and succulents.	Root mealybugs	Tiny bugs, 1/25 to 1/8 of an inch long. Small cotton-like masses are home to females and eggs.	They live below the soil surface in loose, well-drained soils containing perlite, course peat moss or wood shavings.	For large infestations, discard plants and containers. For smaller colonies, drench soil with an insecticide such as diazinon, every 14 days.
Plant parts have a honeydew or black soot-like mold on them.	Scales	Small, inconspicuous, oval-shaped insects. Varying sizes and colors.	Feeds on above-ground plant parts.	Several, regular doses of 1100 Pyrethrum Tree Spray will reduce or eliminate insect population. Indoor oil treatment is effective, also.
Unsightly insects on plant.	Sowbugs (also called pillbugs)	Gray, flat, oval-shaped bodies insects with many legs. They roll into a ball when disturbed.	Feed on decaying organic matter.	More of a nuisance, than a pest. Hand remove.
Yellow, speckled or mottled appearance on upper leaf surface. Leaves are brittle and covered with silken strands and webbing.	Spider mites	Tiny spider-like insect approximately 1/100 to 1/60 of an inch long.	Feeds on the underside of leaves and will feed on all plant surfaces in heavy infestations resulting in the plant losing chlorophyll.	Keep leaves free of dust by wiping leaves with a damp cloth. Separate infested plants from healthy plants to reduce cross-infection. Apply miticide at seven-day intervals.
Plant parts, usually flowers, have a whitish or silver-flecked appearance.	Thrips	Small six-legged insect with narrow wings.	Feed on young plant tissue the by sucking sap after rasping the surface with their sharp mouths. Injured tissue dries out.	Apply Exclude or Schultz Brand Insect Killer.
Flowers and leaves are covered with a honeydew substance or black, sooty mold.	Whitefly	Approximately 1/25 inch long with two pairs of large wings. Moth-like insect with a white, waxy appearance.	Adult insect will fly around plant when disturbed. Insects populate on young foliage.	Apply one bomb of Insect Killer to destroy immature whitefly. Sticky yellow whitefly traps will attract and destroy adult flies.

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