How to Get Rid of Bugs on Indoor Plants

How to Get Rid of Bugs on Indoor Plants

Indoor gardens provide a year-round pop of green in any climate—all without the need to contend with weeds and the other threats to outdoor plants. Unfortunately, indoor gardeners have a whole host of other issues to worry about. You must water your plants regularly, ensure they get enough light, and be on the lookout for bug infestations.

Yes, even your houseplants can suffer from bug infestations. And if they aren’t treated, the infestations can quickly spiral out of control and kill your plants. Luckily, there are many simple, natural solutions such as neem oil, diatomaceous earth powder, and insecticidal soap.

We’ve put together this guide to how to get rid of bugs on indoor plants, including the most common pests. So, take a deep breath and relax. Your plants will be thriving in no time.

Step 1: Get Familiar with The Bugs Commonly Found on Indoor Plants

There are many indoor pests that can plague your plants. Some of these annoyingly persistent bugs include:

• Aphids – These tiny green or brown bugs are around an ⅛ inch long. They live by sucking the sap out of your plants. You might find them in the soil, on the stems, or under the leaves.

• Mealybugs – Mealybugs are slow-moving, yet rapidly destructive. They have a white cotton-like coating made from a waxy substance. This coating makes them difficult to kill with insecticide. They’re about an ⅛-¼ inch long and, like aphids, suck the sap from plant leaves.

• Leafminers – The term leafminer is a catchall for the larvae of several different types of insects. In the larvae stage, leafminers feed on plant leaves. They leave a long whitish trail on the leaves where they’ve feasted.

• Scale – These weird bugs look more like a fungus than an insect. Some have a waxy coating attached to their bodies while others are softer. They cling to the undersides of plant leaves and suck the sap.

• Fungus gnat – The larvae of these tiny flying insects are the main source of problems for your plants. The larvae nestle deep in the soil and feast on the roots of your plants. You’ll notice the adult gnats in your home, especially around your windows. 

• Broad mites – These itsy-bitsy mites are a big problem for your houseplants. They’re too small to see with your eye but can destroy the leaves of your flowering indoor garden. They also spread quickly and are difficult to eliminate.

• Whiteflies – Whiteflies feed on the leaves and stems of plants. They’re minuscule, white, flying bugs that can reproduce very quickly. This makes infestations tough to control once they’ve spread.

• Spider mites – Spider mites are often too small to be seen, so the first sign of an infestation is damage to your plants. You might notice spots on your leaves or an overall pale appearance that indicates mites are stealing the nutritious sap.

Where Do Bugs Hide on Indoor Plants?

Bugs are tricky to find on your indoor plants because they can hide in many different places. You might find pesky insects:

• In the soil

• Attached to stems

• Under leaves

Some bugs move from plant to plant which makes them more difficult to pin down and get rid of.

Step 2: Identify the Signs of Insect Infestation

A close inspection of your houseplants should tell you if and where you have an insect infestation. Some of the telltale signs to look for include:

• White mildew-like substance on stems and leaves

• Brown bumps or spots on leaves or stems

• Tiny bits of webbing under leaves

• Clusters of bugs in the soil or on the plants

Even if the bugs infesting your plants are too small for you to see, you can see the evidence of their destruction.

Step 3: Eliminate The Pests on Your Houseplants for Good

Now that you’ve frantically scanned your plants for pests, let’s discuss some natural remedies for getting rid of the bugs you find. The method you use to eliminate the insects on your houseplants depends on several factors, including:

• The location of the bugs

• The type of pests 

• The seriousness of the infestation

The location of the bugs is an indicator of the type of pest you have and will also determine the most effective treatment options.

Leaves

Whiteflies, spider mites, and broad mites are common leaf attackers. If you spot signs of distress on your plants’ leaves, the most effective treatments include:

• Neem oil – This oil is a natural pesticide that comes from the seeds of the neem tree. When sprayed on your plants, neem oil interferes with insect hormone systems. This makes it more difficult for them to reproduce and disrupts their ability to eat. One application can last for several days, and it won’t harm your plants.

• Insecticidal soap – Insecticidal soap kills bugs by smothering them on contact. It’s more effective against soft-bodied insects than those with a waxy coating. Overuse can be harmful to your plants, so you want to be selective about when you use this product. It’s most effective when sprayed directly onto visible bugs.

Both neem oil and insecticidal soap are a good choice if you have an infestation of soft-bodied bugs attacking your plants’ leaves.

Stems

Sticky substances left on the stems of your plants are a sure sign that you need to know how to get rid of aphids indoors. Aphids are tricky to eliminate because they reproduce quickly and tend to attack all parts of the plant from roots to leaves. Even the sticky residue aphids leave on the stems of plants is problematic because it provides a welcoming habitat for mold.

Fighting aphids and other pests like mealybugs that leach onto the stems of houseplants can include any of the following methods:

• Spraying the plant with neem oil

• Using plant oil extracts such as clove, canola, sesame, garlic, or cottonseed

• Applying a solution of dish soap and water to your plants

• Directly applying 70% rubbing alcohol to visible insects with a cotton ball

• Mixing Epsom salts with water to spritz onto plants

• Catching flying pests with sticky traps

These natural remedies won’t harm your plants but will get rid of pesky bugs.

Soil

When you see clusters of tiny gnats gathered at your windows, you need to know how to get rid of indoor plant gnats. The flying adult versions of these pests are more annoying than harmful, but the larvae nest in your soil and destroy the roots of your houseplants. 

There are two ideal solutions for insects and larvae in your plant soil:

• Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) – When applied to the soil, Bt is ingested by insect larvae. The toxins in Bt are then broken down in their guts. The larvae die from infection or starvation as a result of the toxin. It is sometimes effective within a few hours, but more stubborn infections might take several weeks to eliminate.

• Diatomaceous earth (DE) – DE is a powdered mix of fossilized aquatic organism remains. These fossilized creatures have skeletons made of silica. When added to plant soil, the DE causes insects and larvae to dry out and die. It also has abrasive edges that harm the insects’ exoskeletons.

Neither of these products is harmful to plants, but both will help eliminate pesky insects and larvae from the soil.

Other Indoor Pest Eliminators

There are a few other steps you can take to maximize the effectiveness of your houseplant bug elimination project. These include:

• Washing your plants by wiping them with a damp towel or rinsing them in the shower

• Physically removing the pests by picking them off affected plants

• Pruning damaged leaves from your plants

• Repotting plants in new containers with new soil

When you pair these with nontoxic insecticide applications, your plants will get back to good health quickly.

Step 4: Take Care of Your Plants to Prevent Future Infestation

Healthy plants are more resistant to infestations from household pests. To ensure that your houseplants are in the best shape possible, you should:

• Make sure they’re getting the right light for their specific needs

• Rotate your pots regularly 

• Water your plants according to species recommendations

• Use high-quality potting soil

• Put your plants in the right containers for their size

• Keep your houseplants free from dust which can attract mites

These actions are simple yet will help prolong the life of your houseplants while keeping bugs at bay.