How to Identify Common Types of Houseplant pests

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HOUSEPLANT PESTS

Once you know which types of houseplant bugs you’re dealing with, eradicating them is so much easier. Plus, you’ll be able to keep them from coming back, for GOOD!

MEALYBUGS ID

A mealybug infestation looks like cotton, small white fuzzy bugs, or white powder on houseplants.

1

MEALYBUG DAMAGE

The first sign is a white sticky substance, or white cotton-like bugs on plants. Damage includes stunted or deformed new growth and leaf or bud drop.

SPIDERMITES ID

If you see spider webs on your plants, look closely. If little mites are crawling around on the webbing, this is a positive ID for spider mites.

2

SPIDERMITES DAMAGE

Damage includes deformed, dead and dried out leaves. The leaves and flower buds may also start dropping. 

WHITEFLIES ID

If you see small white flying  bugs around houseplants,  check under the leaves. You'll see little white dots (eggs) and bugs (nymphs/adults) if you have whiteflies.

3

WHITEFLIES DAMAGE

Damaged leaves will turn yellow and drop. Other symptoms include white  spots on the undersides of  the leaves.

FUNGUS GNATS ID

Small gnats flying around houseplants, tiny white worms in the soil, and/or  black bugs crawling on top  of the dirt.

4

FUNGUS GNATS DAMAGE

Fungus gnats don’t cause much harm to healthy houseplants. However, very large populations could damage weak or young plants.

APHIDS ID

Small, fat, juicy bugs clustering on new growth and flower buds. They can  be green, orange, red, brown, blue, or black.

5

APHIDS DAMAGE

Aphid damage includes stunted and deformed growth, as well as  leaf and bud drop.

SCALE ID

Various sized brown, tan, grayish, or white colored bumps or spots on the leaves and stems.

6

SCALE DAMAGE

Scale insects don’t appear to move. But, they come off easily when you scrape them. They leave behind small pockmarks when removed.

THRIPS ID

Small black bugs (they could also be brown, yellowish-green, or white in color) with skinny bodies and pointy tails.

7

THRIPS DAMAGE

The first sign is dull or dirty looking leaves. Eventually, the damaged parts will turn brown, and leaves and flower buds could begin dropping. New growth is often deformed.

Now that you know which types of houseplant bugs you're dealing with, you’ll be able to keep them from ever coming back.

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