• Ask Mark
    • Search the Library
    • Mark’s Blog
    • eNewsletter / Subscribe
    • Books
    • Links
  • Cullen’s Foods
  • Trees For Life
  • Events
    • 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

Best selling Canadian gardening author as seen on TV, radio, online and print.

Mark Cullen
16 Oct

Tune into @1059TheRegion to hear Ben talk fall colors today with Ann Rohmer or listen online at http://1059theregion.com/ and look for THE FEED

Reply on Twitter 1449275767133773824Retweet on Twitter 14492757671337738241Like on Twitter 14492757671337738244
8 Oct

Thank you so much to @globalnewsto for having @MarkCullen4 on the "Making a Difference" segment this week. Take a look at the broadcast here: https://globalnews.ca/video/8248858/national-charity-committed-to-inspiring-tree-planting-initiatives-across-canada

Reply on Twitter 1446542309101867034Retweet on Twitter 14465423091018670342Like on Twitter 14465423091018670343
29 Jun

Bird watching isn't just a hobby, it’s an opportunity to help. Gardening expert Mark Cullen explains.

https://nexthome.ca/news/bird-watching-isnt-just-a-hobby-its-an-opportunity-to-help/1284617/

@MarkCullen4

#garden #flowers #gardens #gardenlife #nature #gardenlove #birdwatching #birding #wildlife #birdlovers #birdlife #naturelovers #birdlover

Reply on Twitter 1409878268090716161Retweet on Twitter 14098782680907161615Like on Twitter 140987826809071616117
18 Jun 2021

Written by @MarkCullen4 for @TorontoStar, check out the top eight picks for planting in hot spots.

#LandscapeOntario #GreenforLife #GardeningTips #GardeningTrends #TorontoGardens #SouthernOntarioGardening

https://www.thestar.com/life/homes/2021/06/15/these-8-plants-are-heat-loving-sun-worshippers.html

Reply on Twitter 1405955991699701762Retweet on Twitter 14059559916997017622Like on Twitter 140595599169970176210

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 ↑