Mother’s Day. Probably didn’t know it was first celebrated nearly 100 years ago. It became a century-old in 2008. That’s when Anna Jarvis first held a memorial in 1908. It was for the woman who brought her into the light.

While she gets credit for the day of honoring mom, it was actually happening at the local level as far back as 1870. Julia Ward Howe tried back then with a holiday called “Mother’s Day for Peace.” However Anna gets credit for turning it into a national holiday.

Regardless, almost immediately after Anna’s first celebration she campaigned to make “Mother’s Day” a recognized holiday in America. That officially happened in 1914, but by the ’20’s she saw commercialization creep into her brainchild, causing her to become quite miffed.

Regardless of her broken heart, the tradition took hold and now is celebrated all over the Earth.

Giving Plants For Mother’s Day

Many people gift their mom with indoor plants to observe the Sunday in May. Little do they realize, they might be handing-out a living present with evil strings attached.

Vulcan Termite and Pest Control wanted to take a moment to let you know the unintended consequences from that plant. It’s easy to take care of, just do it before you give it to dear ol’ Ma. Here’s what to watch-out for:

• Red Spider Mites.
  These buggers are really hard to see. Since your momma’s home is always pretty warm, they thrive and are virtually undetectable until your gift dies. It doesn’t stop there. They can move from uninfected plant to another, murdering her entire indoor garden space. When she does detect them, red spider mites leave behind a white web. Go to your local yard-and-garden center to purchase a spray that will kill them before they wreak havoc on the woman you’re honoring.
• White Flies.
  These invaders are like a blitzkrieg. Because they fly, it won’t be long before their air force takes over all indoor plants. Spray the greenery with some soapy water. That should exterminate these things that leave-behind a black sooty looking mold.
• Aphids.
  Another group of pests that are hard to discover. Usually they hide under the leaves. Again, a soapy spray will control these sub-miniature monsters. Spread-out some newspaper and put your hand atop the soil and turn the plant upside-down. Fill a bucket with lightly soaped water and dip the whole shebang in the solution. Swish it around gently. The aphids should drop-off into the water. The ones that hold onto the plant will croak in a short while through suffocation. Frankly, this method works on most indoor vegetation provided the plant is small enough for a dip.
• Mealy Bugs.
  These fellow leave behind small cotton-like buds. That’s how you’ll know you’ve got ’em. Be proactive. Eliminate the future infestation by spraying them with some Pyrethrum-based insecticide.
• Scale.
  It looks like a blemish on a plant but it’s really a creature with a micro-thin, turtle-like covering. Scale can live all throughout the year so it’s best to nip it before it spreads. Do what you did above for Mealy Bugs. Mist the plants with Pyrethrum-based insecticide. May work, may not. But it’s the best you can do. If scale persists, toss the plant. You tried. Get rid of it ASAP.

We don’t want to tell you to stay away from adding green life to your choices of Mother’s Day gifts. Simply don’t allow any freeloaders to be injected into her indoor window box. Ma gave you life. Just don’t give her a dose of tiny killing machines with your present.

Original Source: https://www.vulcantermite.com/home-pest-control/gifts-that-bring-bugs-into-a-mothers-day-celebration