How to Get Rid of Bugs in Your Houseplants

Soap suds are known to kill plant insects

Like outside plants, houseplants are also open to the damage from bugs. Bugs can ruin the appearance and health of a houseplant in days and in some cases hours if not watched properly. When you begin to notice changes in appearance and health of the plants, more than likely they are under attack from bugs. Check the soil for bugs and the leaves for signs of insects that have eaten away the outer layers of the plant. If bugs are found, you can use pesticides to kill them. Even better than pesticides, and less expensive and safer are store-bought household products, such as dishwashing soap.

Things You'll Need

• Cloth
• Bucket
• Dishwashing soap

Instructions

1. Wipe the leaves clean with a cloth. This procedure simply removes any excess insects from the plant.

2. Squeeze a small amount of dishwashing soap, not detergent, in a small bucket.

3. Add water to the dishwashing soap. Make sure it is a powerful enough stream of water to create bubbles.

4. Cover the indoor plants with the soap suds; let it sit for five minutes then wipe the plants dry. The bubbles of the suds will only suffocate the bugs, not kill the eggs. That is another reason why it is important to wipe the plants. When applying the soap suds, make sure you check the plants on a regular basis. Although there are other ways to rid your houseplants of bugs, such as chemical insecticides, the soap suds are economical and helpful to your household environment.

References

• The Garden Helper: How to Control the Insects, Bugs and Garden Pests That Can Damage your Plants