Photo: Dan Kitwood (Getty Images)
Having plants means thinking about lighting, watering, fertilizing, and even about insects. Plants can attract certain insects, like Spider mites, mosquitoes and whiteflies that can infest all of your plants and your home if not taken care of. Here are some natural and store-bought ways to rid your houseplants of pesky insects.
How to get rid of whitefly, spider mite and meal bugs naturally from plants
Whiteflies belong to the same family as cicadas and turtle bugs and love to find a home under the leaves of your plants. Spider mites work the same way, and have red bodies and translucent legs. Mealybugs also enjoy the houseplant environment for nesting, but Mealybugs will also drink your plant dry straight from the roots.
These unwanted guests hate the presence of neem oil. Neem oil is a natural pesticide this disrupts the insects’ hormones, preventing them from laying eggs and fighting them off almost entirely. For whiteflies and meal bugs, Mix one ounce of neem oil with a gallon of water and splash your plants with the solution. Use diluted neem oil or the powdered version against spider mites. You can also trim the plant so you can see evidence of pesky spider bugs.
How to get rid of cockroaches and ants from indoor plants
The main reason is cockroaches attracted to houses and plants is the warm, humid and sometimes decaying environment. It is almost impossible to completely eradicate cockroaches, but still plant care Houseplant corner says sprinkle Kieselguhr her exoskeleton breaks down, draining her body, and killing her within 12 hours. Apply a fine layer of dust with a hand duster or spray bottle and reapply once the dust is gone. You can also spray the beetles directly. Diatomaceous earth is also effective against ants and is one natural and safe pesticide for plants and people.
G / O Media can receive a commission
How to get rid of aphids with cayenne pepper
Aphids are small tree buds that literally deprive your plants of life by using their uniquely shaped mouths to suck the fluid from the veins of the plants, which is needed for the transport of nutrients. Fortunately, you only need a few Soap, water, and cayenne pepper take care of the infestation.
Take two tablespoons of dish soap (avoid antibacterial and fragrant soaps – castile Soap will do) and mix the soap and two tablespoons of cayenne pepper with a gallon of water. Home guides recommends testing a small area and monitoring the system for 24 to 48 hours before applying it to the entire system. If the plant is not damaged, spray the plant from leaf to stem and wait two hours for the solution to work before rinsing off your plant. The mixture kills on contact, but does not stop aphids after drying. You should therefore reapply every four to seven days.