Pests of houseplants - diversity and ways to combat them

Pests of houseplants are not only fungi and bacteria, but also various insects that can lead to the death of the plant. To fight the enemy, you need to know what it looks like, the features of its nutrition and reproduction, as well as its weaknesses.

In this article we will consider the most common pests of houseplants:

Whitefly

It is a very small butterfly, about one millimeter in size. The larvae she lays on the inside of the leaf, where she hides herself, so it's difficult to notice it. This pest feeds on the juice of the plant and the product of its life is the sugary deposits, which later serve as the breeding ground for the black fungus. Thus, some pests of houseplants contribute to the emergence of others. Symptoms of plant defeat by whitefly are the presence of twisted leaves, which quickly turn yellow. The reason for the appearance of the whitefly is too dry and warm air. Fight this type of pest can be either using traps or using insecticides.

Mushroom mosquitoes

These pests of indoor plants appear in the event that, on the contrary, there is high humidity in the room. The larvae of this insect actively eat young shoots of the plant, which can also lead to its death. To prevent the appearance of this pest, do not constantly wet the soil and with the first of its manifestations, you must treat the plant with the appropriate drugs.

Aphid

This species of pests inhabits large colonies and is located on the underside of the leaf or on shoots, as well as in leaf axils. They also feed on the juice of the plant, leaving behind sticky products of vital activity, which again contribute to the appearance of black fungus. These pests of indoor plants lead to the fact that the plant gradually fades and dies. Fighting aphids can be a method of collecting it manually, but it is best to treat the plant with special preparations, and destroy the most damaged leaves.

Earwig

This pest conducts a nocturnal life and also, getting on a plant, eats its leaves and flowers. In the afternoon they can be found on the inside of the sheet, and their presence is indicated by the presence of a number of holes on the damaged sheets. They can also be destroyed with chemicals or collected manually.

Thrips

These insects, like all pests of houseplants, are small in size, but they can be seen even with the naked eye. Damaged by these pests, flowers and leaves of the plant. Signs of their presence is the presence on the leaves of silvery stems, and gradual deformation of the flower also occurs.

Centipedes

These are quite large insects, and if in nature they help to process organic residues, then, getting together with the earth in the pot, they begin to feed on the roots of the plant, which also leads to its death.

Pests of ficus

These plants are most susceptible to damage by mealybugs. This type of pest usually appears after abundant watering of the soil, and may also be in places where side branches connect to the main trunk of the plant. The most simple way to get rid of these pests is to remove the damaged parts of the plant and rinse it under the stream of water. Ficuses are also affected by centipedes and scutes, which can be successfully combated by applying this method.

Rose - pests

These plants are very often affected by gray rot, rust, powdery mildew. Of the pests - it's a leaf roller, a gall mite, a spider mites, and a rosefly sawfly and aphid. The simplest preventive measures in order to prevent the emergence of diseases and pests are strict observance of the growing conditions, as well as constant care of the plant. It is also necessary to regularly remove the affected areas and periodically treat plants with protective preparations.