In almost every apartment today you can find homemade flowers that fill the house with positive energy and give the owners a good mood.
It is believed that indoor plants are not affected by pests. In fact, a similar problem is encountered quite often. As a rule, these are small pests that you do not immediately notice. They can reproduce both in soil and on parts of plants. In the event of their appearance, it is necessary to immediately take measures, otherwise the green crops will begin to languish and turn yellow, or even die.
Parasites on indoor plants: signs
What needs to be done to save your favorite indoor flowers? First of all, you need to determine which pests of indoor plants wound up. To do this, you should perform a thorough inspection of the soil and the plant itself. After that, you can begin a merciless fight. It is worth remembering that delay in this case threatens with dire consequences. Insects can hide in the ground, roots, on stems or leaves.
The following parasites are most often found in the soil:
- root worm;
- enchitrea;
- gall nematodes;
- white fool;
- fungal mosquitoes.
Green parts of plants, as a rule, affect:
- whitefly;
- mealybug;
- clover tick;
- spider mite;
- scale shield;
- aphid;
- cyclamen tick.
Plants respond differently to each pest. They may respond to their effects by growth retardation, leaf discoloration, or wilting. Most often, upon visual inspection, yellowing of the stems and leaves rushes into the eyes. But how else can indoor plants be affected? Pests in the earth, photos of which you probably could see, have no less impact than parasites on green parts.
Let us consider in more detail each of the symptoms and the pest that is guilty of their appearance.
White spots on the leaves
The appearance of whitish spots may indicate that the plant is affected by a root or mealybug. In this case, it is necessary to carefully examine all parts of the home culture. If there are lumps that look like cotton wool, you are most likely really faced with a mealybug.
If the leaves become sticky and fall off, then perhaps the flower is hit by a whitefly. In the case of a whitish mesh, it can be said that the plant is affected by a red spider mite. With a large number of insects, the leaves can die.
The appearance of yellow spots
How to deal with it? If yellowness occurs, be sure to inspect the plant. If fingers stick to the leaves, then most likely the flower was hit by a scab. Also, the reason may lie in the appearance of enchitrea. These small white worms live at the very root in the soil. When brownish or brown spots appear, we can conclude that the plant was attacked by thrips.
Deformation of green parts of plants
In the event that the shoots and leaves begin to change, the flower is affected by a cyclamen tick or aphid. In the latter case, sticky marks will remain on the bud. The fact is that aphids suck juice from indoor plants, as a result of which they dry out. If dust appears on the leaves from below and at the same time they curl, then most likely we are talking about a cyclamen tick. With the drooping of shoots and leaves, we can conclude that the reason is the defeat of gall nematodes and fungal mosquitoes.
Parasites at home flowers: description
How to deal with pests of indoor plants? Before answering this question, it is necessary to consider the most common pests and their effect on flowers.
Some of them:
- Spider mite: this pest most often affects indoor flowers. It is hard to see with the naked eye because of its small size. It is necessary to consider the lower part of the flower. The fact is that the spider mite does not tolerate moisture and light. Most often, it appears if the room is dry and hot. In such conditions, the spider mite develops rapidly. If you grow palm trees, hibiscus, aspidistra, they constantly need to be examined. As a rule, insects infect the lower part of the leaves and suck out the juices. As a result, they may fade and crumble.
- Aphids: Despite their small size, these pests of indoor plants are visible to the naked eye. They can be green or black. Insect colonies breed quite rapidly. The female can lay at least 150 larvae. After a week, they are already quite capable of breeding. In addition, females have the ability to fly. They can move to other indoor flowers and lay larvae on them.
- Scale shield: is one of the most dangerous pests for indoor plants. Usually it settles on leaves, cuttings and stems. It is quite simple to detect. The insect has an oval-shaped flat body. The lower body is flush with the ground. Most often scabies are found on lemons, oranges, tangerines, asparagus, oleanders, ivies, palm trees. Basically they settle at the bottom of the sheet. Insect populations are developing quite quickly. On the leaves, they look like dots slowly creeping along a flower. The leaves around the habitat of these pests turn yellow. Scaffolds are able to suck juice from shoots, which depletes plants. If you do not start to fight this parasite in a timely manner, indoor flowers can die.
- Thrips: this parasite often infects ficuses, dracaena, begonias. Females are able to make holes in leaves and buds and lay eggs. These lesions are microscopic and impossible to notice. Insects usually live on the back of the leaf.
- White fool: the main feature of this pest is the ability to jump. This soil insect lives directly in pots. It differs from other species in an elongated body with barely noticeable hairs. The antennae are present on the head of the insect. Usually this parasite starts in humus-rich soil. White fodder eats the remains of vegetation, but can also eat roots. It is clear that the eaten parts can no longer cope with their main function. Therefore, the plant first slows down its growth, and in the end can even die.
- Mealybugs: these are the most common pests of indoor plants, the photos of which are probably familiar to every experienced grower, especially like the back of the leaves with a vein. Female worms are large, in length can reach half a centimeter. For posterity, they arrange houses that resemble small lumps of cotton wool. The insect lays eggs in them, from which extremely motile and voracious larvae hatch. They conquer all the space around the plants. Pest control of indoor plants must necessarily include a regular inspection of the crop. Particular attention should be paid to cacti and azaleas. They are preferred by mealybugs.
- Whitefly: They are also called greenhouse insects. Most often, this pest is brought into the house along with a new flower. Therefore, when buying a houseplant, you must definitely examine it properly. Even a single female can reproduce huge offspring in a short time. Methods of controlling pests of indoor plants sometimes take a lot of time and effort. Most of all, whiteflies love to settle in ferns, fuchsias, geraniums. The two-millimeter insect feeds on the juice of plants. If you do not get rid of the pest in time, the flower can weaken and wither.
- Mushroom mosquitoes: many flower growers, noticing around small flies, do not attach much importance to this problem. But this insect is able to lay larvae in fertile moist soil. Due to the small size, mushroom mosquitoes can not be noticed immediately. The danger of these insects is that their main food is the root system. Thus, they can quickly destroy the plant.
Insects at home flowers: how to get rid?
Many beginning gardeners today are interested in the question of how to deal with pests on indoor plants (photos of parasites will be presented in the article)? In the presence of favorable conditions, insects can multiply rapidly, so you should not hesitate.
How to get rid of pests of indoor plants? The main methods of control can be divided according to the principle of impact:
- biological;
- mechanical;
- chemical;
- folk.
It is also worth considering how different pests of indoor plants can have a different effect, and control measures depend on the type of parasite. Let us consider in more detail each of the above methods.
Mechanical methods for controlling parasites
It is best to start with measures that are as safe as possible for humans. In addition, often it is mechanical means that can achieve the maximum effect. Before starting work, you need to sharpen your tools properly. After this, it is necessary to cut off all damaged shoots and leaves. Slicing areas are treated with ash or activated carbon. Visible larvae and insects can be collected manually. If a leaf of a plant is affected by a pest such as aphids, wipe it with a cotton pad. Spraying with water and a contrast shower help to get rid of parasites that live in the green parts of plants.
Biological methods
Which are the most effective? Many flower growers, choosing a remedy for pests of indoor plants, prefer to use biological preparations. They are created on the basis of natural components.
The following compounds were most widely used:
- Agravertin;
- Fitoverm;
- Iskra-Bio.
Before using these tools, be sure to read the instructions. They contain a small amount of toxic substances. Plants are treated in the early morning, and then left in the shade. The room where the flowers were processed should be well ventilated. All exposed parts of plants should be washed.
The use of folk remedies
How else can indoor plants be cured? Diseases and pests (the photos of which are probably familiar to experienced gardeners) can be quickly eliminated using folk remedies.
Decoctions and infusions from the following herbs are especially effective:
- chamomile;
- yarrow;
- dandelion;
- marigold;
- nettle;
- garlic;
- bow.
Using these environmentally friendly and completely harmless components, you can easily and quickly destroy all pests.
There is one effective way, using which you will forever forget about parasites. Just bury citrus peels, such as orange or lemon, in the soil. Insects cannot stand their smell. An infusion of tobacco, ash, a solution of potassium permanganate or furatsilina with salt also helps well. So that the composition for processing does not drain from the plants too quickly, you can add a little laundry soap to it.
Use of chemicals
How else can you overcome such a problem as pests of indoor plants? Photo parasites will help you quickly understand that your flower is affected. Most often, growers today use chemicals. However, it is better to resort to their help in the last turn, when other methods do not give the desired result. Keep in mind that these tools are unsafe. Use such funds is only after no one is left in the room. Processing is best done with the window open. When working, it is also recommended to use personal protective equipment. When all treatments for indoor plants are completed, you must thoroughly wash your face and hands. Flowers should be moved to the shade until the solution is completely dry. The space in which prevention was carried out must be carefully treated with water and detergents.
It should be borne in mind that chemicals are highly toxic. They must be kept out of the reach of pets and children. The most popular and effective remedies include Karbofos, Sayfos, Chlorofos, Trichloromethaphos, Pyrethrum, Fury, Decis. These substances can destroy insects of almost all types.
How to deal with scale insects?
Such a pest is resistant to toxic drugs due to the presence of the shell. In the case of a large accumulation of these pests, they must first be cleaned with a toothbrush. The greatest efficacy was shown by such drugs as Actellik, Intavir, Vertimek.
Is it possible to get rid of scale insects using folk remedies? How can pests of indoor plants be eliminated? Experienced flower growers recommend the use of garlic infusion. Plants must be treated with them until all pests are eliminated.
Conclusion
Pests of indoor plants can cause many problems to gardeners. If you do not start to fight them in time, the flowers may die. Fortunately, today there are various ways to control pests. It is enough to choose the one that is best suited in your case.