Fighting Houseplant Pests

Everyone who has indoor plants must, at one time or another, deal with pests.  If you notice that one of your plants is infested, isolate it immediately and identify the pest.  If you're not sure what it is pinch off a leaf and take it to your favorite garden center.  They can more than likely identify the little critter for you.  It is best to place the leaf or leaves in a plastic bag, we don't want your pest getting out and running all over local garden centers!  Inspect your plants often to make sure those little darlings don't take a good hold before you can get them eradicated! 

Once you have identified the pest, you can decide on the course of action.  In most cases, the first step is to wash the plant to dislodge as many of the pests as possible.  If the plant is small, take a little more care when rinsing off.  Larger plants can be taken outside and gently hosed off.  Be sure to spray the undersides of the leaves and the stems if possible.

Spray the plant with an insecticide appropriate for your pest.  Most nurseries and garden centers carry a large range of organic pesticides, one of which is Safer Soap; if that is more to your liking.  Be careful when using pesticides inside your home, and always follow manufacturers recommendations.  Don't forget to protect your skin and eyes and avoid breathing the fumes. 

Keep the plant quarantined until you are sure the infestation has been eliminated.  To kill new hatchlings before they have a chance to breed, spray weekly for a month.  Check the plant daily for signs of re-infestation during this time.  A magnifying glass comes in real handy when checking for pests.