Some pests have a habit of feeding on indoor plants. When these hungry bugs attack your plants, they can weaken them. Thankfully, there are a few things you can do to protect your plants from pests. We’ve made a list of tips to help you keep bugs away from your indoor plants.
Check for Pests & Signs of Pests
Detecting a pest problem early will make it easier to eliminate an infestation. Regularly check your indoor plants for pests. Before bringing a new plant home or bringing one inside, examine it for pests. Bugs like to hide under leaves, so be sure to look there. Some pests can be tricky to see, so you’ll also want to look for signs of their activity like holes, white webbing, wilting, or discoloration.
Isolate New Plants
Whenever you bring home a new plant, you’ll want to keep it isolated for about two weeks. If there is a pest problem, this will help to prevent the bugs from spreading. Check the isolated plant every few days for pest activity. If you don’t notice any bugs, you can move the plant in with your other plants. Anytime you notice pests on your plants, you’ll want to isolate them until you can take care of the problem.
Use Clean Pots & Tools
It’s important to make sure that your pots and tools are clean before using them. Give your pots a good scrub before placing any plants in them. After using your shovel or shears you’ll want to clean them as well. You can use a mixture of soap and water or borax and water to keep them clean. Regularly cleaning your tools and pots can help to prevent pests and diseases from spreading to other plants.
Take Care of Your Plants
A healthy plant will be less susceptible to pests than an unhealthy one, so it’s important to take care of your plants. Make sure your plants receive enough water, but don’t overwater them. Overwatering your plants will make them more attractive to fungus gnats. Place your plants in an area where they will receive the right amount of sunlight. Always use high quality, clean soil, and place your plants in the right size pot.
Clean the Leaves of Your Plants
Giving your plants a bath can help to prevent pest problems. You can gently rub the leaves and stems with a damp cloth, or you can use a spray bottle to carefully spray the leaves. Make sure the water isn’t too hot or too cold. By cleaning the leaves, you’ll be removing dust that can be harmful to plants and promote diseases. This will keep your plants healthy and less susceptible to pests. It will also make it easier to spot pests if leaves are clean.
Regularly Prune Your Plants
Taking the time to prune your plants can help to keep pests away. Pick up fallen leaves that can act as a breeding spot for pests. Parts of your plant with pest activity can be pruned to help control infestations. If you notice any areas of your plant that are damaged, diseased, or dead, you’ll want to remove these as well. Pruning your plants can also help with air circulation, which is good for the overall health of your plant.
Use Plant-Based Insecticide Sprays
Treating your indoor plants with an insecticide spray can help to protect your plants from bugs. Our 3-in-1 Garden Spray kills pests and provides residual repellency protection. Our Vegetable Garden Insect & Disease Control is also effective against a variety of plant pests. These sprays can help to protect your plants from fungal diseases too. To treat for pests, thoroughly spray all parts of the plant, paying special attention to the underside of leaves.
Some bugs may enjoy feeding on your plants, but with a few preventative measures you can keep them away. If you’re dealing with a pest problem, we’re here to help! For a more environmentally and family-friendly solution, check out our Maggie’s Farm Simply Effective™ Pest Control products.