The seven most common houseplant pests are mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, scale insects, whiteflies, fungus gnats, and thrips.
Common signs of pest problems include yellow or stippled leaves, sticky residue, webbing, distorted growth, and the presence of insects or their eggs.
Practice good plant hygiene, including keeping plants clean and removing dead leaves, and inspect new plants before bringing them indoors.
Quarantine any plants that show signs of infestation.
Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove individual mealybugs, or use a systemic insecticide to treat entire plants.
Spray plants with a mixture of water and mild soap or use an insecticidal spray specifically for spider mites.
Wash plants with a strong spray of water, use insecticidal soap, or introduce natural predators like ladybugs.
Use a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove individual scale insects, or spray plants with an insecticidal oil.
Use yellow sticky traps to capture adult whiteflies, or spray plants with insecticidal soap or oil.
Water plants only when the soil surface is dry and use a layer of sand or gravel to cover the soil surface, preventing adult fungus gnats from laying their eggs.
Remove affected flowers and inspect new plants before bringing them indoors.
Use sticky traps or spray plants with an insecticidal soap or oil.