What Is a Homemade Way to Get Rid of House Plant Bugs?

Eliminate insects from your houseplants safely with homemade insecticides.

Insects make their way into your houseplant's soil during the summer and survive during the winter by living in the plant's soil and feeding on the leaves. Chemical insecticides eliminate adult insects but can negatively affect the houseplant's health. Improper use causes the plant to absorb the chemicals through the soil. Natural, homemade insecticides eliminate adult insects while protecting the plant's from unnecessary damage. Nonchemical insecticides are suitable for light infestations but ineffective if the houseplant is heavily infested with insects.

Things You'll Need

• Mild dishwashing liquid
• Bowl
• Soft cloth
• Canola oil
• 2 spray bottles

Instructions

1. Pour 1 quart of lukewarm water in a bowl and mix in 1/2 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid soap to the water.

2. Dip the soft cloth in the cleaning solution and wipe down the top of the plant's leaves. Lift a small section of leaves up and wipe the underside to eliminate hidden insects.

3. Fill a spray bottle with lukewarm water and set the spray bottle to stream. Spray the plant's leaves the forcibly knock off the insects.

4. Combine 1 tablespoon of canola oil and 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid soap into the spray bottle. Add 1 quart of water to the bottle and spray both sides of the leaves to smother the pests on the plant leaves.

References

• Earth Easy: Natural Garden Pest Control
• University of Minnesota Extension: Houseplant Insect Control