Lawn and Garden Pest and Insect Control | Summer Lawn Tips Colorado
Lawn and Garden Pest and Insect Control
Pests, bugs and insects are something all gardeners have to deal with. Whether you are an expert horticulturist or a summertime gardener, be on the lookout for bugs this summer. Some insects cause harm while others are simply a nuisance.
Bugs and insects can cause harm to your houseplants if they are not dealt with in a timely manner. This will help you know what to look for and remedy the situation so your plants live long and grow healthy.
Wet Colorado weather may mean higher bug population when the temperatures heat back up. Insects are cold blooded so they move very slowly when temperatures are low. Recent moisture is helping our plants to grow. When it warms up, those plants will flower and breed more bugs.
Aphids
Aphids feed on plant sap and excrete large amounts of sticky residue. In high populations they cause wilting and distortions of new growth. Strong sprays with cold water, repeated over several weeks, might do the trick.
Spider mites
These can also harm your houseplants. They lay many eggs on your plants and pretty much suffocate them, you will see webs on the leaves and leaves will curl as mites take all of the nutrients from your plants. They can move easily from infected plants to healthy ones so be sure to separate affected house plants immediately.
Fungus gnats
Fungus gnats are small, dark colored flies that fly across the soil surface. They cause little or no injury to houseplants but they are a nuisance. They develop in potting soil so any houseplant is susceptible.
Tips For Keeping Insects on Houseplants at Bay
- When purchasing new house plants, do not put them all together right away, keep them separated for at least three weeks so any unknown infections will not spread.
- Watering can also affect houseplants, moist conditions are perfect for certain insects (fungus gnats), and hot dry conditions are perfect for others (spider mites).
- The best control is a conventional insecticide / miticide.
- Insecticidal soaps – common houseplant insecticide. Liquid hand soap and dishwashing detergents can also be useful, but may damage tender foliage because of their alcohol content. Consult your local garden center for a recommendation.
- Horticultural oils – when diluted can be sprayed on plants to help get rid of pests.
- Botanical oils – Cinnamon and rosemary oil have some pesticide properties as well.
Make sure to read all instructions on any products you use on your plants. If you are unsure if damage will be caused, test on a small area of the plant before using the mixture on the entire plant.
Keep your herbs and houseplants safe and insect free this summer with regular checkups and maintenance.
