Growing a garden is both therapeutic and beneficial to you and your family’s health. However, if you have lived in Utah for a while, you know how unpredictable the weather can be. No matter the season outside, bringing your garden inside allows homeowners to grow plants all year long. Houseplants can add a unique and beautiful flair to any room and are often simple to care for.
Unfortunately, houseplants can become havens for unwanted guests. If you see an increase in pests inside your home, they may have found your indoor plants and made homes in the nutrient-filled soil.
How Do Indoor Plants Attract Bugs?
Indoor plants generally have fewer problems with pests than outdoor flower and vegetable gardens. But the very environment that allows plants to grow (i.e., comfortable temperatures and moist, healthy soil) is also perfect for many insects and arachnids native to Utah. Pests like spider mites and thrips have the nasty habit of turning up everywhere, but some factors can make your plants even more enticing. When caring for houseplants, avoid some of these practices:
- Overwatering. For most common indoor plants, very little water is necessary to keep the plant sustained. If you can see a puddle at the surface of the soil, the bugs will see it too. Standing water makes the perfect environment for insect eggs, and it should be mopped up immediately.
- Very little air circulation. Plants that are regularly watered but given too little space can raise the ambient humidity around the area. Insects and spiders are naturally drawn to humidity, as it means there is water and nutrients to be found.
What Bugs are Common in Houseplants?
- Spider mites. Spider mites are extremely tiny arachnids. These fuzzy brown oval-shaped bugs are hard to spot, but you can quickly identify a spider mite infestation by the appearance of delicate webs and feeding spots. Plants with spider mites should be quarantined right away.
- Aphids. If you see tiny green dots scuttling around on your plants, you have an aphid problem. The insects feed on the sap of plants and multiply incredibly fast. Leaves that fall prey to dozens of aphids soon wither, and a large enough infestation can kill the plant.
- Thrips. Thrips are curiously named insects that cover hundreds of different species. With wings or without, they lay eggs in standing water and can quickly spread to other plants and interior surfaces. Their danger does not stop with houseplants because thrips can cause damage to furniture, clothing, bedding, and even electronics.
Protect Your Indoor Plants
Indoor plants are beautiful, but they can attract pests inside your home. Avoid overwatering and insufficient air circulation to help keep common pests like spider mites, aphids, and thrips away.
Do you have a pest problem inside your home? Nature’s Balance Pest Control can help you find the source of the infestation and stop insects, spiders, and rodents from returning. With friendly and knowledgeable service, you can rely on our experienced pest control technicians. Give us a call today and we will get rid of those tiny intruders for good.