If your plant appears to be infested by pests, first isolate it before washing its leaves (including undersides) using room temperature water in a sink or tub according to Planet Natural’s advice.
Spray the plant with insecticidal soapy water or try an alcohol-based solution such as isopropyl rubbing alcohol diluted to the recommended concentration (1 part per 4 or 5 parts water). These should both work effectively.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is not harmful to plants when properly diluted, making it an economical and effective means of treating houseplants infested by fungus gnats, mealybugs or any sap-sucking insects. Simply combine one part hydrogen peroxide to four parts water in equal parts before spraying your infested plants with it as a soil drench; it will kill larvae instantly while adding oxygen into their growing medium so any further eggs won’t hatching will likely result in defeat of future outbreaks.
Chemical insecticides are often too toxic for plants and beneficial insects in the soil to use effectively, yet this alternative treatment is quick, easy, and you can continue it until fungus gnats or other pests no longer appear around your plant.
Hydrogen peroxide’s oxidizing effects make it an effective repellent and disinfectant, while simultaneously killing insects like fungus gnats and mealybugs on contact. Because of this property, however, full strength solutions should never be used on plants as this could burn and damage them; rather opt for a 3% solution available from hygiene/medicine aisles of chain grocery stores instead.
Another solution is to spray your plants’ leaves and stems with a solution of hydrogen peroxide and water, which will help rid of fungus gnats but may not be effective against mealybugs that are hard to spot.
Neem oil has also proven effective against both fungus gnats and mealybugs, providing a long-lasting protection for plants once treated once with it. Neem oil’s residual effect means these insects won’t return after you apply it once; however, multiple treatments of neem oil may be necessary before results appear.
One way you can combat pests is to allow the top two inches of soil to dry slightly between watering sessions, making it harder for insects to survive in this dry environment and spraying your plant with either water or neem oil to kill any remaining adults.
Neem Oil
Neem oil can be an effective solution to protect houseplants from mealybugs and other insect pests that threaten them, similar to hydrogen peroxide in irritating the bugs’ skin and disabling their internal processes. But unlike many synthetic pesticides, neem oil isn’t toxic to humans or pets and offers targeted killing of only those insects feeding off of it – no flies or bees passing by will be affected either!
Neem oil spray can be purchased at most garden centers or online retailers; just read the label carefully to ensure you are purchasing enough neem oil to suit the plant you need to treat. Alternatively, it is also possible to mix your own non-toxic neem oil spray for plants; this allows more control over both strength and ingredients used.
Homemade Neem Oil Spray for Plants incepeting by using a clean spray bottle and mixing 1 1/2 teaspoons of Neem Oil Concentrate with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of mild liquid soap and one liter of tepid water, before tightly sealing and shaking it well to blend all the ingredients. Before using, perform a test on one leaf of your plant in order to check for sensitivity or damage before spraying over its leaves and stems in full force – be sure to let dry fully afterward as this could otherwise affect its performance! Once complete, remove from direct sunlight and allow it to fully dry before returning it to its previous position – which might take several days if not done immediately.
Neem oil can help protect vegetable gardens against insect infestations such as tomato hornworms, corn earworms and aphids with regular application. Furthermore, it serves as a fungicide against root-knot nematodes and fungal leaf spot infections; to achieve best results it should be applied twice each day to your vegetable plants to avoid disturbing beneficial pollinating insects that help pollinate them. For optimal results spray your vegetable plants both evening and morning to minimize harming pollinator insects that pollinate them! For optimal results try spraying twice each time to protect beneficial insects that pollinate them!
Dish Soap
At any meeting of gardeners or houseplant enthusiasts, soap will undoubtedly come up. Soapy water has long been considered the holy grail of pest control for soft-bodied insects such as aphids and mealybugs. Though its exact effect on these bugs remains elusive, theories suggest that soap washes away protective wax coating from them which leads to drying out; alternatively it may alter chemical makeup of their exoskeleton or disrupt nervous systems of insects altogether.
Since soapy water treatments rely on direct contact between it and insects, it’s crucial that spray plants thoroughly to cover every surface where pests could hide – such as turning over leaves to reach undersides where insects hide. Furthermore, sprays should take place at night when temperatures are cooler in order to minimize stress responses in plants sensitive to treatment.
Purchase insecticidal soaps designed specifically for plants or make your own using household ingredients. When searching for commercial solutions, look for ones without perfumes and additives that could harm plants; always read and follow label directions when applying treatments to any plants.
Mealybugs are sap-sucking insects that have become an ever-increasing problem with many houseplants and vegetables. Mealybugs typically range in length from 1/10th inch to 1/4″ long, secreting powdery wax beneath leaves for hiding purposes. A mixture of rubbing alcohol and dish soap may help eliminate or control an infestation of mealybugs.
When applying this solution to plants, always do so in a cool and dark area and ensure you spray only in areas with adequate ventilation. Also test any rubbing alcohol solution on one leaf prior to spraying the whole plant to make sure it won’t damage it. Vinegar may also work against mealybugs; however it’s essential that proper research be conducted into its potential effects on each species of your plant and use with extreme caution as many types may damage or kill it altogether.
As expected when treating plants with insecticidal soaps, some leaf browning or wilting is expected after treatment with any kind of insecticidal soap, but once pests have been eliminated they should rapidly recover to healthy growth. When choosing your insecticidal soap be sure to select one which is both safe for plants as well as allergy free – should any adverse reactions develop, seek medical help immediately.
Alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol, more commonly referred to as “rubbing alcohol”, is an effective cleaning and disinfecting liquid for houseplants that works against various pests that threaten them. This liquid can quickly kill sap-sucking spider mites, aphids and scale bugs as well as certain flies – it even works on certain flies! Before applying rubbing alcohol to any plant make sure you dilute as much of it as possible in order to avoid damage, making sure it meets all safety guidelines set for your particular species of houseplant – also doing a patch test before proceeding with your treatment plans is wise!
To effectively address aphid infestations, dip a cotton swab into vegetable oil or rubbing alcohol and remove as many visible insects as you can with it. For light infestations, spray entire plant with solution of 2 parts rubbing alcohol mixed with 5 parts water plus one tablespoon of liquid castile dish soap applied several times each week until infestation clears up. Heavy infestations may require additional measures such as neem oil or insecticidal soap treatment solutions.
Rubbing alcohol can also be used to kill mealybugs on orchids and other plants, using its ethanol component to draw out moisture from mealybugs and expose them to predators. You should carefully inspect all aspects of the plant from under leaves, crevices and folds. Be patient and thorough as this could take a considerable amount of time!
If you suspect a heavy mealybug infestation, repotting is usually the solution. These infestations are more difficult to manage, putting other plants at risk as well. You could also try creating a denatured alcohol solution of 1 part rubbing alcohol to 7 parts water with several drops of liquid dish soap added. Apply this mix via spray bottle on foliage and stems of plant (taking care not to get on roots!). Repeat treatment several times weekly until all mealybugs have vanished from your plants.
