Simple Tips for How to Keep Bugs Out of Houseplants
Houseplants can make your home extra susceptible to a bug invasion in all seasons, especially when you bring outdoor potted plants indoors, giving bugs easy access to your home.
You want to protect your plants, but not at the expense of your home. Knowing how to keep bugs out of houseplants is essential for all houseplant parents, from beginners to even those with the greenest thumbs.
As one of Birmingham’s longest-running, family-owned, and widely-trusted pest control companies, we at Vulcan Termite and Pest Control have substantial insight into how to keep bugs out of your houseplants. Keep reading to learn more about our simple tips for a pest-free home!
How to Keep Bugs Out of Houseplants: Our Top 4 Tips
#1: Check for the Signs
No matter the time of year, checking for signs of bugs before bringing your houseplants indoors is essential. Look closely at all the leaves, including the undersides, and poke around the soil to check for signs of bugs that might have burrowed down.
Critters like ants prefer to burrow into the soil for warmth, including the dirt of potted plants. Once inside a warm home, they can become active, which can become a huge problem.
Another thing to look for are leaves that have holes chewed into them. Although this is most common in the summer, it’s a tell-tale sign that an insect has enjoyed your plant as a meal at any time of year.
#2: Wash the Plants Off
An even better way to make sure no insects hitch a ride inside is to wash the plants off.
That’s right; plants can be washed off with lukewarm water in the sink or tub to dislodge any bugs hiding in the leaves, flowers, or branches. If it’s warm outside, spray off larger plants with a hose and allow them to air out for a few minutes before moving them indoors.
#3: Avoid Overwatering
Like all living things, insects need water to survive. Damp soil attracts pests and serves as a breeding ground for gnats, mosquitoes, and more. Giving the soil time to dry out between waterings can help kill off larvae lurking beneath the surface.
#4: Use a Homemade Bug Spray
If you suspect your houseplants are harboring insects, a homemade bug spray can flush them out. There are a variety of safe mixtures that you can try indoors, but one of the most effective options is neem oil. Mix a half ounce of neem oil with a half teaspoon of dish soap and two quarts of water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle so it’s easier to cover the entire plant.
Call Us to Keep Your Home Pest-Free Year-Round!
Knowing how to keep bugs out of houseplants helps you maintain a safe and pest-free home, but it doesn’t stop there! If houseplants have been coming in and out of your home, then a pest control treatment is a good idea.
At Vulcan Termite & Pest Control Inc., we provide year-round services that keep homes bug-free season after season. Call us today at 205-663-4200 or contact us online to request our services or more information on them!