Most houseplant pests are easier to stop than they look, as long as you catch them early and keep them from spreading. Two we see constantly in Omaha homes are mealybugs and spider mites.
First, isolate the plant
Move it away from your other plants as soon as you suspect something. Pests travel leaf to leaf, and a plant sitting in a crowded window can share the problem with every neighbor.
Mealybugs
Look for small white, cottony clusters tucked where leaves meet stems and along the undersides of leaves. Leaves may feel sticky, and new growth can stall or twist. A cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol removes the ones you can see. Check again every few days, because eggs hide in the same spots.
Spider mites
These are so small you usually notice the damage first: fine speckling on the leaves, a dull, dusty look, and in heavier cases thin webbing between leaves and stems. They like warm, dry air, which is why they tend to show up once the furnace comes on. Rinsing the leaves, tops and undersides, in the shower knocks a lot of them back.
Bring us a leaf, not the plant. One infested pot on our benches puts every plant in the shop at risk.
What to bring us
If you've confirmed there are bugs, please leave the plant at home. Bring a leaf in a bag, or a clear photo of the plant and the bugs up close. We'll help identify what you're dealing with and point you to the right fix.
What we carry
We stock all-natural sprays, soil treatments and bug-catching tools for mealybugs, spider mites, fungus gnats and the other usual suspects. Ask at the counter and we'll walk you through how to use them.
