Indoor plants brighten our homes, purify the air, and bring a touch of nature into our lives. But, like any garden, indoor plants can attract pests that can quickly put a damper on your plant parenting. If you've ever noticed tiny bugs on your plants or weird white spots on the leaves and wondered, What's going on here?, you’re in the right place! Today, we'll break down common indoor plant pests, where they hide, and—most importantly—how you can eliminate them.

Mealybugs: How to identify them and eliminate them.

Mealybugs are fuzzy freeloaders that are easy to identify thanks to their cottony appearance, making them look like tiny tufts of white fuzz. They tend to hide in plant nooks and crannies, including leaf joints and stems. Mealybugs feed on plant sap, weakening the plant and causing yellowing or distorted leaves.

• Where to Find Them: Check those little nooks and crannies, especially along the stems.
• Commercial Products to Treat Mealy Bugs: Try Eight Insect Control or Insecticidal Soap to get rid of these pests. 
• For a DIY option: Dab a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and touch it to each mealybug. This method kills them on contact and is safe for your plant when used sparingly.

Scale Insects: What are they, and how can you eliminate them?

Scale insects look more like tiny bumps than bugs. They latch onto woody stems, sucking out sap and making the plant weaker. If you’re new to plant care, it’s easy to mistake them for part of the plant!

• Where to Find Them: Look for these stubborn pests on woody parts of the plant, usually along the stems.
• Commercial Products to Treat Scale Insects: Go for Horticultural Oil or Neem Oil . These oils coat the scale insects and smother them. Since scale can be persistent, apply the oil regularly, and if you’re up for it, gently scrape off the scale insects with a soft brush before treating.
• For a DIY option: You can use bleach-free dishwashing liquid and mix 1 1/2 teaspoons per quart .

Fungus Gnats: What they look like, and how to eliminate them.

If you’ve noticed tiny black flies hovering around your plants, those are probably fungus gnats. While adult gnats don’t harm plants, their larvae live in the soil and can damage roots, especially in younger plants. Over-watering and poor drainage can lead to root rot, which empowers fungus gnats to thrive. Proper potting can help with this.

• Where to Find Them: Fungus gnat larvae live in the soil, while adults fly around.
• Commercial Products to Treat Fungus Gnats: Let the soil dry out between waterings (gnats love moisture!). Place Yellow Sticky Traps near your plants to catch the adults, and sprinkle Summit Mosquito Bits on the soil to target larvae.
• For a DIY option: Add a layer of sand or small pebbles to the soil surface to make it harder for gnats to lay eggs.

Aphids: What are they and how can you get rid of them?

Let’s start with aphids- the sneaky sap-suckers. If you’ve never heard of them before, aphids are small, soft-bodied bugs that love to munch on new growth. They’re quick to reproduce, so a few aphids can quickly turn into a full-blown infestation.

• Where to Find Them: Look for these guys on new, tender leaves and stems.
• Commercial Products to Treat Aphids:  Try Eight Insect Control or Insecticidal Soap. These products work wonders on aphids without harming your plant.
•  For a DIY option: Add just 2 teaspoons of dish soap to 1 pint of water, and spray it on the bugs. This soap solution helps break down their protective coating, making them much easier to manage.

Thrips: What are they and how can you get rid of them?

Thrips are tiny hoppers that are hard to catch—they move fast! They have a distinctive elongated shape, with long, narrow wings that are fringed with fine hairs.  These pests can leave silvery, scarred marks on leaves as they scrape plant tissues. They’re sneaky, but with the right approach, you can keep them under control.

• Where to Find Them: Thrips can appear almost anywhere on the plant.
• Commercial Products to Treat Thrips: Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew, Eight Insect Control, and Insecticidal Soap all work against thrips. Consistent treatment is key here, as thrips can be tough to eliminate.
• For a DIY option: Wash the thrips off your plant. Mix 4 teaspoons of Neem Oil and 2 teaspoons of dishwashing soap into one gallon of water and spray. 

Spider Mites: What are they and how can you eliminate them? 

Spider mites are very tiny, and they thrive in dry conditions. If you see a fine webbing on the underside of leaves, you’ve likely got spider mites. They can suck the life out of your plant, causing leaves to yellow and fall.

• Where to Find Them: Typically found on the underside of leaves, often with fine webbing.
• Spider Mites: What are they, and how can you be rid of them? Try Mite-X or Horticultural Oil, both of which coat and suffocate spider mites.
• For a DIY option: Misting your plant or increasing humidity can also help, as spider mites hate moisture.

Whiteflies: How to identify them, and how you can eliminate them?

If a little cloud of white bugs flies off when you touch your plant, those are whiteflies. They often gather on the underside of leaves and weaken plants by sucking out their juices.

• Where to Find Them: Check the undersides of leaves.
• Commercial Products to Treat Whiteflies For whiteflies, use Captain Jack's Dead Bug Brew, Eight Insect Control, or Insecticidal Soap. Try applying treatments to the leaf undersides for the best results.
• For a DIY option: If you want to get hands-on, you can even gently vacuum them off the leaves.

Are you facing multiple houseplant pests?

If you need a broader defense or just want a solution that lasts, consider a systemic insecticide. This type of insecticide is absorbed into the plant, turning it into a pest-resistant powerhouse.

• Recommended Product: Houseplant Systemic Insecticide is a great choice if you’re dealing with multiple pests like aphids, mealybugs, or thrips.

Systemic insecticides are especially helpful if you have a large collection of plants that makes targeted treatment time-consuming. Just be sure to read the label carefully and follow all safety guidelines when using these products indoors.

Still Having Trouble Identifying Your Houseplant Pests?

Visit Wallace's Garden Centre, located in Bettendorf, Iowa. Our horticultural experts have a wealth of knowledge that can help your indoor plants thrive again! Bring your affected plants to us in a sealed, clear bag.

Wrapping It All Up: Keep Your Indoor Jungle Thriving

With a little patience and the right treatment, you can keep pests from ruining your indoor garden. Remember to check your plants regularly, especially in hidden areas like new growth and the undersides of leaves. The earlier you catch a pest problem, the easier it is to fix and a pest-free plant is a happy plant! So roll up your sleeves, grab your spray bottle, and let’s keep those indoor greens looking gorgeous. Happy planting.

Say Goodbye to Indoor Pests! Stay ahead of pesky invaders with expert tips, product recommendations, and seasonal advice. Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive insights and offers to keep your home pest-free year-round!!