Most common pests for indoor plants

Plants, even if they are indoors, unfortunately can also be affected by numerous pests and diseases , especially if the plant’s own defenses are low or if it does not receive the necessary care. That is why it is very important to know what growing conditions each species needs, and try to provide them to ensure that it is healthy.

When we talk about indoor plants, we are talking about plants of generally tropical origin, which could not withstand cold winters. The most suitable location for most of them is in a room with lots of light, and away from drafts. Once this is known, it sometimes happens that due to an oversight or carelessness some of the pests that we will discuss below appear.

Index

  • 1 cottony mealybug
  • 2 aphids
  • 3 whitefly
  • 4 Red spider

cottony mealybug

Cottony mealybug larvae

The cottony mealybugs are insects of cottony touch when they are adults they can do a lot of damage to the plants, even in very serious cases, they can kill it. They appear in warm seasons, between spring and summer, but we can also see them in autumn and even in winter if we live in a warm climate. They are sucking insects, that is, they cling to branches, leaves and/or stems and, with the help of special organs, extract the sap from the plant. Young shoots that develop in spring are very vulnerable. But we can also find it in the roots, between branches,… in short, throughout the plant.

The treatment is usually medium to long-term, as they are insects that are very resistant to traditional products. It consists of using a specific insecticide for mealybugs in severe cases, or using soapy water in milder cases. If we see only a few, they can be removed by hand.

aphids

aphids

Aphids are always usually accompanied by ants. There are black ones as seen in the photo above, and also green ones. They are tiny insects, less than 0.5cm in length. They favor the dryness and heat of the environment. We can see them in buds, flowers, young shoots…

The treatment consists of using a systemic insecticide, that is, the plant absorbs it and the insect, trying to absorb the sap of the plant, dies. In serious cases, the best remedy is to prune the affected parts, discard them, and apply insecticide.

White fly

White fly

The white fly is a small white flying insect that, in severe cases, can be accompanied by the bold fungus. On the plant we see the eggs that have been deposited on the underside of the leaves. We can also know that it has this plague when, when moving the leaves, a kind of white cloud appears.

The treatment consists of using a liquid insecticide, thoroughly soaking the leaves. Two or three more applications are usually necessary until we manage to eliminate the plague.

Red spider

Red spider

The spider mite is a tiny red or brown mite that forms a kind of web on the affected plant. We can find them in all kinds of plants: ornamental, horticultural, garden, etc. They reproduce very quickly and in large numbers, which is why it is common that what seemed like a mild attack at first, in the end it gets worse.

Treatment consists of applying liquid insecticide throughout the plant in severe cases. In mild cases, you can use water with spray soap, moistening the entire vegetable.

Finally, it is important to know that if we have a sick plant or we think it may be, we should separate it from the others so that they are not affected. They are insects that reproduce very quickly and in large numbers, and they pass from one plant to another just as quickly. Just as recommendable is to always follow the recommendations of the insecticide manufacturer to avoid problems.

If you have doubts, take a leaf or your affected plant to your trusted nursery and they will be able to advise you on what to do to get it back to health, since not all insecticides can serve the same to eliminate all pests.

Most common pests for indoor plants

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