What are the tiny bugs in my indoor plants?
A: They’re most likely fungus gnats. These little buggers are a really common pest over winter, and they’re more attracted to the moist soil in houseplant pots than to the plants themselves. Fungus gnats are mainly an annoying nuisance.
How do I identify houseplant bugs?
Common houseplant pests
- Scale are primarily immobile insects that stick themselves to stems and leaves.
- Mealybugs are a type of cottony, mobile scale that often can be seen in clumps on your houseplants.
- Aphids are another plant-sucking insect that often congregate in large numbers.
What are little black bugs on plants?
Typical small black bugs that affect plants are fungus gnats, aphids, black flea beetles, spider mites, scale insects, and thrips. You will generally find the tiny bugs under plant leaves or stem joints. Usually, you’ll only notice the almost microscopic dark bugs when they start causing plant damage.
How do I get rid of gnats in my potted plants?
Vinegar mixture: Fill a shallow saucer with 2-3 drops of liquid dish soap and a cup of white vinegar. Place the bowl near your plant — the gnats will be attracted to the solution and fall into the trap. Keep repeating the process until all the gnats are gone.
How do you get rid of spider mites on houseplants?
Washing plant foliage using a soft cloth or a forceful spray of lukewarm water can help reduce the spider mite population if done repeatedly. Other control options include treating plants with an insecticide containing permethrin or pyrethrin. Insecticidal soap and horticultural oil are also effective.
How do I keep my houseplants bug free?
How To Prevent Bugs In Houseplants
- Never use dirty pots – Always clean and disinfect pots and plant trays before reusing them.
- Monitor your plants – Check your plants on a regular basis for signs of indoor plant pests.
- Do not repot an infested plant – Never repot a plant just because it has a bug problem.
How do I know if my house plants have spider mites?
The first thing you’re likely to notice is patterns of silvery dots or stippling on the leaves of your plant. Looking closer, you will see small, delicate webs in corners of stems or underneath leaves with what look like tiny white dots scattered throughout. Those are spider mites!
How do I know if I have spider mites?
You can also identify a two spotted spider mite infestation by looking for small webs on the plant’s leaves. Another easy way to look for spider mites is to tap a branch or leaves over a sheet of white paper. The mites will fall off the plant and onto the paper, making them easy to see.
