How to Get Rid of Bugs in Houseplants

Houseplants are those plants that are kept indoors and not in the garden, under direct sunlight. These plants are usually kept to decorate the house or office and are available in different sizes and forms. Houseplants are said to be very sensitive and any change in the way they have to be taken care of can cause damage to them. One of the most common danger that the houseplants have to face is the attack from bugs. Houseplants that are not taken care of properly i.e. those that are not exposed to proper light, fertilizer and water are likely to get infested with bugs. As these bugs can cause major damage to the houseplant, learning to get rid of bugs is extremely crucial. Hence, let us take a look at some of the effective ways to get rid of bugs on houseplants naturally.

Tips to Keep Bugs in Check
As houseplants are prone to bugs, checking them regularly is one of the ways to prevent some damages that bugs can cause them. The soil and the leaves of the houseplants that have bugs on them can be observed to have cotton like tufts, scaly lesions, tiny webs, sticky residue, etc. according to the type of insect that has attacked them. Most people spray pesticides to get rid of the bugs on houseplants. However, though these pesticides are effective, they can cause further damage to the plants. Hence, it is always better to adopt the natural methods to get rid of bugs on plants that are kept indoors.

Spicy Soap
One of the way of getting rid of bugs on houseplants is by applying a mixture of soap and hot peppers on them. To make this mixture, take a hot pepper and blend it with a garlic clove in an electric blender. Add a tablespoon of liquid vegetable soap along with 1 ½ cups of water to the blender and blend till the mixture becomes smooth. Transfer this mixture in a spray bottle and spray it on the plants thoroughly. However, never use this solution on houseplants that have flowers on them as the solution can cause harm to the blooms..

Vinegar
Vinegar which is found in most households is also a great way of doing away with the houseplant bugs. It is one of the most effective ways of killing the molds that appear on the soil of the houseplants. Take 2 quarts of water and combine with a tablespoon of vinegar. Spray this solution over the plants every week till the houseplants are free of insects.

Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is also an answer to the question, how to get rid of bugs in plants that are kept indoors. Take several cotton balls and coat them with rubbing alcohol. With the help of these cotton balls, apply the alcohol all over the plant including its stems and leaves. Do not forget to apply alcohol on the undersides of the leaves where the bugs usually hide. However, one must never apply rubbing alcohol on young tender growth and also on plants that have flowers on them.

Vegetable Oil Soaps
A solution of vegetable oil soap and water is also a good way of getting rid of bugs on houseplants. This is because soap is said to suffocate the bugs, subsequently killing them. To make this solution, take 2 quarts of water in a bowl and mix three teaspoons of vegetable oil soap to it. With the help of a sprayer, spray the solution thoroughly on the plant as well as on the soil. One needs to repeat this process after every 2 - 3 days as this is quite a mild remedy.

However, an important point that one must understand is that these home remedies will work only if the infestation is a minor one. In other words, if the bugs have been there on the houseplant for a long time, it would be better to discard the plant as these methods may not work on them. Moreover, it is also important to take proper care of the houseplants to ensure that they are not attacked by the bugs or insects. Hence, check the houseplants frequently for bugs and also, see to it that they get proper light, water and fertilizers to stay healthy.