The top three house plant insects are mealybugs, scale, and fungus gnats.
One morning at breakfast, I found myself swatting flies. What, flies in winter? Then I saw they were coming from my amaryllis plant on the table. I love house plants, but so do the pests.
House plants are perfect for insects. They live in a controlled environment with food, but without predators or harsh weather. So here are the top three house plant insects and what to do about them.
Mealybugs and scale are two insects found on woody indoor plants such as hibiscus, ficus and Dracena. These small pests attach themselves to plant stems and leaves. You hardly notice the damage with a small infestation. What you probably will notice is the sticky honeydew they excrete as they feed. It drops on tables and floors making a mess. The hard shelled scales are usually brown or black colored.
If you have a few scale insects, simply flick them off with your fingernail. For larger infestations, spray horticultural oil.
Mealybugs have white, cottony growth and can be killed with sprays of insecticidal soap. For just a few mealybugs, dab them with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol and watch them shrivel right up.
Fungus gnats are those black flies I saw on my amaryllis. They live in the potting soil and, although a nuisance, aren’t harmful to your plants.
Repot plants with fresh potting soil or drench the soil with gnatrol. It kills the larvae in the soil and is safe for pets and children.
Next week on the Connecticut Garden Journal, I’ll be talking about onions.
For garden inspiration this weekend, head to the Connecticut Flower and Garden Show in Hartford. It's filled with the scents and sights of spring. Until then I’ll be seeing you in the garden.
