Insects and Houseplants
Why Me?
OH NO!!! Insects on my plants!
It happens to all of us.
They sneak up when you're not looking and build huge populations before you even notice that they're there.
And they feed ferocious appetites by feasting on your favorite plants!
In nature, insects and plants live together. Wind, rain, and natural predators keep most insect populations in check however.
But when these natural barriers aren't present, those little critters can multiply quickly and cause problems.
One adult female can lay several MILLION eggs! With the right conditions these eggs will hatch in 5 days or less. That's why a perfectly healthy plant that looked great yesterday - can be covered with creepy crawlers today.
On top of that, insect eggs can lay dormant for up to a year. And then - when the conditions are right - they hatch. A plant that looked great yesterday is covered with creepy crawlers today!
Insects and plants live together. Sooner or later you're going to have to deal with them.
Don't panic!
We'll show you how to make the job easy.
1. Know What to Look for
Although nature has blessed us with hundreds (maybe thousands?) of types of insects, there are only four that are commonly found on houseplants.
2. How To Get Rid of Them
I've found that most "remedies" for killing insects that you read about on the internet don't work.
And commercial insecticides are full of toxic chemicals that do more harm than good.
I use and recommend "Neem Oil". Neem Oil is a safe and effective control for over 200 types of insects - and I like the fact that it's completely safe to use around both humans and pets.
Neem Oil is pressed from the seeds of the Neem tree and has been used as medicine for over 4000 years. "Azidirachtin" is the natural compound in Neem that disrupts the insect's feeding habits and reproductive cycles. As the insect starves, it can't reproduce.
Unlike harsh chemical sprays that can have immediate but toxic effects, neem oil will not work overnight. Be patient and wait a few days - you'll see the results!
Grower Tip: Not all Neem Oil is the same. Always buy natural, pure, 100% Cold Pressed Neem Oil. Most "ready-to-use" products are diluted and the Neem Oil is mixed with other chemicals that are used as filler.
Use the Tools Professionals Use
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Insects are resourceful little creatures that hide under leaves, in the grow pot, and even on the bench underneath. They also have protective armour. If you see insects, you're going to need the right tools to get rid of them. Our Neem Oil/Sprayer/Soft Brush combination get's the job done! (comes with instructions on how to get best results) |
3. Making Sure They Don't Come Back
Insects are industrious little creatures that go to great lengths to survive. Just when you think you've solved the problem they mysteriously return.
That's because insects lay eggs in hard to find places and they're easy to miss. Even though you kill the adults, the problem returns when the eggs hatch.
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When you find insects, you need to spray the plant 3 times at weekly intervals - whether you see bugs or not. Spraying kills the adults but doesn't get the eggs. |
Active adults lay eggs on decorative pots, plant shelves, and even on the floor under the plant. Then, when conditions are right the eggs hatch and your problem starts all over again.
 Mealy bugs hiding at the bottom of a decorative container |
 Mealy bugs that have attached themselves to a plants stand! |
It's important to spray everything around the plant. This is where eggs hide and hatch when conditions are right - and then your problem starts all over again.
Spray the grow pot, the decorative pot, and the LECA pebbles. Then spray the shelf and wipe it with a cloth.