• Ask Mark
    • Search the Library
    • Mark’s Blog
    • eNewsletter / Subscribe
    • Books
    • Links
  • Home Hardware Mark’s Choice
    • New Products
    • Hand Tools
    • Cutting Tools
    • Boots and Gloves
    • Hose and Watering Accessories
    • Bird Feeders and Bird Seed
    • Container Gardening
    • Seeds and Bulbs
    • Plant Supports
    • Gardening Accessories
  • CIL Iron Plus
    • C-I-L Iron Plus Lawn Fertilizers
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Gardening Communities
  • About Mark
    • Mark and Ben’s Bio
    • Book Mark as a Speaker
    • Mark in the Media
    • Contact Us
January 23, 2013

What’s bugging your indoor greenery?

So you have indoor plants to keep your green thumb happy throughout the winter season.  Great! They clean the air and look fantastic. But have you taken a close look at them lately? Go ahead and do that right now. Find anything suspicious? If not, great! But if you did, your plant may be suffering from an insect infestation, or perhaps just the beginning of one.

Here is a little information on three common insects that affect indoor plants and what you can do to combat them.

Mealy Bugs

They are soft-bodied and range in colour but what you are most likely to see is the white fuzz the insect uses for protection. These will be found in nodes between stem-to-stem and leaf-to-stem junctures. Because mealy bugs feed on plant juices, the plant’s leaves will turn yellow and eventually die.

Remedy

1. Insecticidal soaps (I use Green Earth)

2. Can introduce predator insects (ladybugs)

Whiteflies

These tiny, heart-shaped insects are white and capable of flight. You will see them under the leaves of the plants or in a swarm around the plan. It is actually the nymphs and larval stages that are damaging to plants as they feed on the soft tissues. Like aphids, whiteflies secrete a honeydew that makes your plant more susceptible to fungus problems.

Remedy

1. Sticky traps can be effective for catching adults but eggs will remain

2. Neem oil applications

3. Insecticidal soaps

Mites

You may be familiar with mites, especially if you are growing apples or cherries. Spider mites are among the most common and you will notice a fine webbing long before you see any mites. A closer look will reveal tiny white specks. Feeding on plant juices, the mites leave behind a trail of destruction often followed by bronzed leaves.

Remedy

1. Hose off or wipe down the entire plant.

2. Neem oil may be effective to reduce populations.

2. Dispose of heavily infested plants to avoid contamination of other plants.

Finally:

1.  Inspect before you buy. A few small insects on one plant can quickly grow into thousands.

2. Quarantine new plants for two weeks before moving them in with others.

3. Be observant. It’s easier to fix the problem before it gets out of control.

blog_tropicals1

← Previous post
Venus Fly Trap

Next post →
Tips for Planning Your Garden

Search

Recent Posts

  • Signs of Spring March 27, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week February 2, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week January 11, 2021
  • Around the Acres This Week December 9, 2020

Mark’s Blog by Month

Ask Mark

  • eNewsletter
  • Radio/Podcast
  • Magazine article
  • Newspaper column
  • TV

Recent Tweets

Mark CullenFollow

Mark Cullen
30 Mar

Marking our 1-yr anniversary, @MarkCullen4 took a road trip to plant as many trees as possible in one day. This special day started at @CentennialEDU in Toronto. He was joined by Ann Buller, President/CEO of Centennial College; & @JohnMcKayLib to plant a ceremonial tree.

Reply on Twitter 1376937010661896192Retweet on Twitter 13769370106618961926Like on Twitter 137693701066189619216
31 Mar

Check out the April issue of Gardening with Mark and Ben https://conta.cc/3u3GAfX

Reply on Twitter 1377240760156819458Retweet on Twitter 13772407601568194581Like on Twitter 13772407601568194589
26 Mar

Thanks for having me on, Rachel!

Reply on Twitter 1375280274913697792Retweet on Twitter 1375280274913697792Like on Twitter 13752802749136977922
26 Mar

Talking pollen and weather this AM with @RachelSchoutsen https://www.theweathernetwork.com/ca/videos/gallery/bad-allergies-extreme-weather-linked-to-more-pollen-production/sharevideo/6243505186001/chrysler_sponsorship

Reply on Twitter 1375279860571078657Retweet on Twitter 13752798605710786572Like on Twitter 13752798605710786576

Comments are closed.

About Mark and Ben


Mark Cullen is an expert gardener, author & broadcaster and holds the Order of Canada. His son Ben is a fourth-generation urban gardener and graduate of Guelph and Dalhousie University.
More

Find Mark On

Sponsored Links

Highway of Heroes cullensfoods Share Agriculture Foundation Harrowsmith
© Mark Cullen. Go to top ↑