Small Bugs in House Plants

Houseplants add character to indoor spaces. A variety of small bugs infest houseplants and detract from their beauty. You can control bugs in houseplants with a combination of cultural practices and chemical treatments.

Types

Spider mites are common pests on indoor plants. They are too small to be seen without magnification. Their oval-shaped bodies are green or yellow. Aphids are pear-shaped insects that range from 0.06 to 0.13 inch in length and vary in color. Mealybugs are 0.19-inch long with soft, oval-shaped bodies, while scale insects range from 0.06 to 0.13 inch in length. Protective round shells cover their bodies.

Effects

Mites, scale insects, aphids and mealybugs have piercing and sucking mouthparts. They suck sap from plants, causing symptoms such as spotting, stippling, yellowed leaves, leaf loss, stunted growth and dieback. Scales, aphids and mealybugs also exude a sticky-sweet substance called honeydew. Black sooty mold grows on the honeydew deposits.

Control

Options for treating mild infestations include spraying houseplants with a steady stream of water and wiping insects from leaves with a cloth and a mild solution of water and detergent. You can also prune out infested parts of the plant. Insecticidal soaps, horticultural oils and traditional insecticides help control bug populations.

References

• Colorado State University Extension: Managing Houseplant Pests
• University of Minnesota Extension: Houseplant Insect Control