Summer is the perfect vacation time for your inside plants to soak up some sun. When fall hits, however, it becomes time to bring them back inside.
Pests see this as prime time to hitch a ride inside. That’s why it is important to make a slow transition with an inspection so your plants are avoiding any issues.
Debugging Plants
Debugging household plants during the transition inside can prove to be tricky and laboring.
To start, you have to ensure the pot you are using to debug the plants includes drainage holes. This is because you have to use soapy water.
Only use a mild soap or a sensitive insecticide in which to soak the plants.
The soapy water is used to kill pests hiding in the soil or on the plant itself. Once these are cleaned, it’s important to then meticulously clean the pot until all the water is gone.
After removing all the floating debris, you can move the plant indoors. Since the plant and soil soaked up so much water, avoid watering it until the soil is dry again.
For plants that are too large to clean in a tub of water, use a garden hose and soapy water to gently clean the plant yourself.
You can use a magnifying glass to inspect all parts of the foliage and whorls of leaves.
Depending on your plant sensitivity, gently apply Neem oil solution to the plant to deter mealybugs and other plant bugs.
Leafy Pests
While looking for bugs before and after soaking your plants, it is important to know what kind to look at on specific areas of your plant. Some pests that dwell on the leaves of your plants include:
- Aphids.
- Spider Mites.
- Gnats.
- Mealybugs.
- Lacewings.
- Spiders.
For these pests, carefully look on the leaves and stems, especially their undersides and intersections.
Soil Plants
Pests can also be hiding in the soil. These pests include:
- Slugs.
- Earwigs.
- Ants.
- Sowbugs.
- Gnats.
They can hide in the top or the middle of your soil. If you do the aforementioned washing, they should fall or wash away during the rinsing. If you want to be extra careful, you can rinse with an insecticide for more thorough determent.
It’s important to do an inspection and debug your plants because many pests can easily be missed. Your plant can be a plant motel and you’d never know it. Sometimes, a careful eye just isn’t enough.
Without the proper control, you can have an infestation in your household before you even notice the hitchhikers. That’s when you need to consult the professionals.
Midwestern Termite & Pest Control can help out. Give us a call today to schedule their service.
