Homeowners in Washington love having houseplants. However, despite putting in the effort, you may find that your indoor plants have become infested with pests. A few mites and other bugs would not do much harm, but leaving them untreated can kill your plant. But do not worry. You can bring things under your control with a few steps.
Indoor plants that thrive in humidity and require a lot of water can attract pests since they also love to reside in damp areas. Keeping houseplants healthy while looking out for pests at the same time is not easy. You do not have to go through this alone. If you are a Tumwater resident, you can hire a professional team for a quality pest control in Tumwater for effective and long-term results.
Common houseplant pests
Some of the most common houseplant pests are listed below:
- Aphids.
Aphids have a soft body and are pear-shaped. They destroy plants by piercing their sharp mouthparts to feed on the plant’s sap. They also produce a liquid called “honeydew,” which causes the growth of fungus and turns the leaves and branches of plants black. You can identify an aphid infestation with the help of this black growth. They usually roam and live in colonies under the leaves, so they are not always visible. They are very difficult to notice by the naked eye, and they are only 1/4th inch long in size.
- Scales.
Scales are among the most notorious houseplant pests. Much like aphids, they suck the sap of plants and leave honeydew as a residue, which in return attracts ants. They are found on the underside of leaves but can be found on the upper side as well. They are flat, oval, and brown with a shell-like covering.
- Mealybugs.
Mealybugs are similar to scales. They also have waxy bodies, live on the underside of leaves, and leave honeydew. Female mealybugs produce a white, cottony thing before they lay eggs. Plants that are susceptible to this bug include coleus, hoya, jade, gardenia, and poinsettias.
- Spider mites.
Spider mites are microscopic and are barely noticeable to your bare eyes. Fully grown females are not longer than 1/20 inch. Spider mites live on the underside of leaves in colonies. Most plant parents do not even identify the infestation unless they see the webbing between the leaves or branches. If spider mites infest your plants, the plant’s leaves may turn yellow or reddish and fall off. Therefore, you must be careful when spider mites spread throughout the plantation in your house.
- Whiteflies.
Whiteflies are what they sound like. They are tiny fly-like insects with a pair of wings and are white in color. Even though the name says fly, they are not flies. They, too, live on the underside of houseplant leaves in groups. When disturbed, they become scattered and are easy to spot. They also leave honeydew and suck plant sap. You can learn ways to spot the honeydew and identify the whiteflies in your house, and take action as soon as possible with the help of an expert.
If you need pest control on your residential property and a dormitory, call an expert pest control service in Tumwater today!
