Houseplants not only add life and color to our living spaces but also help purify the air. However, they sometimes come with an unwanted side effect: pesky bugs. In this article, we’ll discuss all you need to know about common houseplant insects and how to manage them, ensuring your plants remain healthy and beautiful.
One common issue that plant owners face is the presence of tiny insects such as aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. These critters can hinder the growth and overall health of your beloved plants. Fortunately, there are various ways to address these problems without resorting to harmful chemicals. For example, wiping the bugs off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or using water sprays can help remove these pests effectively.
Another concern for houseplant enthusiasts is the appearance of fungus gnats around your plants. These tiny, dark-colored flies are typically attracted to overwatered houseplants, and although they cause minimal damage, they can become a nuisance when present in large numbers. To manage these gnats, it’s essential to take proper care of your plants and avoid creating the conditions they thrive in, such as excess moisture and overwatering.
Common Houseplant Bugs
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny, eight-legged creatures that feed on houseplants by sucking the plant’s juices. These pests can cause leaves to turn yellow and fall off. Some possible ways to control spider mites include:
- Use insecticidal soap.
- Introduce predatory mites such as Phytoseiulus persimilis.
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on plant sap, causing leaves to curl and stunt growth. To manage them, you may:
- Use a stream of water to remove them from your plants.
- Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are small, slow-moving insects covered with a white, waxy substance. They can cause leaves to yellow and drop. To control these pests:
- Wipe them off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
- Use insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Whiteflies
Whiteflies are tiny, white-winged insects that feed on plant sap, causing leaves to turn yellow and fall off. Some control measures include:
- Yellow sticky traps to catch adults.
- Insecticidal soap or neem oil for nymphs.
Scale Insects
Scale insects are small, armored bugs that feed on plant sap. They cause yellowing of leaves and may even kill the plant. To manage scales:
- Scrape them off with a toothbrush or fingernail.
- Use insecticidal soap or horticultural oil on crawlers.
Fungus Gnats
Fungus gnats are small, dark-winged flies often found around overwatered houseplants. Their larvae can cause plant damage. To control these pests:
- Let the soil dry out between waterings.
- Use yellow sticky traps to catch adults.
Thrips
Thrips are slender, tiny insects that feed on leaves, flowers, and fruits, causing discoloration, distortion, and leaf drop. Management options include:
- Prune and discard infested plant parts.
- Use insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Ants
Ants may not directly harm houseplants, but they can protect aphids and other sap-feeding insects that are harmful to plants. To control ants:
- Remove food sources attracting them.
- Place ant baits near infested areas to trap them.
Characteristics of Common Houseplant Bugs
| Bug | Color | Size | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spider Mites | Reddish | Tiny | Web-like silk |
| Aphids | Green | Small | Oval-shaped |
| Mealybugs | White | Small | Waxy substance |
| Whiteflies | White | Tiny | White wings |
| Scale | Brown | Small | Armored covering |
| Fungus Gnats | Dark | Small | Weak fliers |
| Thrips | Brown | Tiny | Slender |
| Ants | Black | Small | Social insects |
Methods such as insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, and neem oil can provide effective control for many houseplant bugs, but it’s essential to identify the specific pest and choose the proper treatment for the best results.
Preventing Houseplant Bug Infestations
Plant Inspection
- Regularly inspect your plants for signs of pests.
- Look for discolored or damaged leaves, sticky residue, or visible bugs.
Regularly checking your plants for signs of infestation is a crucial step in preventing houseplant bugs. Inspect the leaves and stems for any discoloration, damage, or residue, which may indicate the presence of pests like aphids, mealybugs, or scale insects.
Proper Care and Maintenance
- Provide the right amount of water, light, and fertilizer.
- Prune and clean plants regularly.
Proper care and maintenance can help keep your plants healthy and less susceptible to pest infestations. Ensure they receive the appropriate amount of water, light, and fertilizer as per their specific requirements. Regularly cleaning and pruning your plants can also promote better growth and deter pests.
Quarantine New Plants
- Isolate new plants for 1-2 weeks.
- Check for pests during this time.
Before introducing new plants to your existing collection, it’s important to quarantine them for one to two weeks. Monitor them closely for any signs of pests, and treat them as necessary before placing them alongside your other houseplants.
Natural Methods
Beneficial insects
- Introduce predatory insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, to control pests.
Pest-control plants
- Place companion plants, like marigolds and basil, near your houseplants to deter pests.
There are several natural methods for preventing houseplant bug infestations. You can introduce beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which are natural predators and can be effective in controlling pests. Additionally, you can use pest-control plants, like marigolds and basil, as companion plants to help deter pests from infesting your houseplants.
28 Comments. Leave new
Thank you so much Daniel for the quick response. Actually that old Singapore article of Helopeltis Theivora helped me identify my own photo just his week. I’ve linked to it here for your reference:
http://www.fluidr.com/photos/61587929@N06/8266948670/
Alas, we cannot remember each of the currently 15, 815 postings in our archive.
It looks like some Mirid plant bugs to me.
I have found these in NE Scotland.Again on Foxgloves
Thanks for providing additional information about the habitat of this Plant Bug.
I also have bugs in my yucca plant but mine looks more like stink bugs. They seem to fill up the plant within every bloom.
We cannot say without an image. Please submit a photo using our Ask What’s That Bug? link which is found on our website.
I forgot to add that I live in extreme southern Alabama. About 15 min from the guild of Mexico. I didn’t know if it would help
Thanks for your efforts Daniel. The only guess I could give myself is that maybe it’s some type of plant bug.
This looks quite a bit like a plant bug (Miridae). The single closed cell at the base of the membrane and the cuneus are the two biggest clues to me. There’s a lot of disparity in the family, but that’s my best guess!
Sorry for the split comment, but I feel I should add that for some reason it looks like the subfamily Isometopinae. We have a few here in the US, and they’re definitely a little bit weird. I believe one of the characteristics that makes them a Mirid oddball is the presence of ocelli (which I believe your bug has). If I’m not mistaken, they’re specialized scale insect predators as well.
I think it is a species of the Geocoris.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocoris
Thanks very much for your comment, but there are quite a few folks who believe this is a Plant Bug in the family Miridae and probably in the subfamily Isometopinae, and based on this image posted to BugGuide, the members of that subfamily do have unusually shaped heads.
I think it is a species of the Geocoris.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geocoris
Great sleuthing everyone. Thank you.
I have blackish/brownish bugs, no picture, that are round and very small….can cover a leaf of the Yucca. Since the bugs have gone for the Winter I now have white dead leaves with brownish blackish spots. Can the plant be saved? Do I just remove all the dead leaves which would leave a long huge stalk like trunk? I also haven’t separated my Yucca’s and am assuming this too is causing my problem. HELP!!!
looks like we have them in virginia .they were on small maple trees. then all over the ground.
Cool. I love bugs as long as they aren’t in my house or crawling on me. This is a truthfully odd bug. I’ve never seen one, as I am in Alabama, USA.
I have these exact bugs all over my avocado trees here in Los Angeles. I’ve been trying to figure out if they are hurting my trees or if they are beneficial. They bite so predatory seems accurate.
Hi everyone,
It might be a bit late to give my few cents here, but it is indeed a mirid in the subfamily Isometopinae. There is the genus Astroscopometopus which looks a bit like this specimen:
http://catalog.digitalarchives.tw/item/00/46/c9/ed.html
However, I am not convinced but the 15mm size info. All isometopinae and the vast mayority of plant bugs in general are much smaller. (objects in the camera display appear larger…)
Here is another image of a similar creature where I added a scale bar (different species though):
http://naturewatch.org.nz/observations/6017706#activity_comment_890084
Cheers,
Claas
Thanks Claas for your ID suggestion. I believe you are correct.
Hi everyone,
It might be a bit late to give my few cents here, but it is indeed a mirid in the subfamily Isometopinae. There is the genus Astroscopometopus which looks a bit like this specimen:
http://catalog.digitalarchives.tw/item/00/46/c9/ed.html
However, I am not convinced but the 15mm size info. All isometopinae and the vast mayority of plant bugs in general are much smaller. (objects in the camera display appear larger…)
Here is another image of a similar creature where I added a scale bar (different species though):
http://naturewatch.org.nz/observations/6017706#activity_comment_890084
Cheers,
Claas
the bugs i have are a hard shell prehitoric looking bug bout inch n length and devour my flowers
oh and im n oklahoma
You’ve had several postings about insects and spiders found on cannabis. They inspired me to do a little research. Apparently insects have no cannabinoid receptors, though other invertebrates do have ’em. If this bug turns out to be herbivorous at least it won’t get the munchies. (To be painfully pedantic, it would be more accurate to say a true bug like this wouldn’t get the sulkies.
This sounds like an interesting research topic.
yep saw it too for the first time. In SW Ohio yesterday.
I have. Nest of these little beauties and am about to relocate my chickens to this area. Any thoughts? Poisonous?