Pest Management for Indoor Houseplants
Where there are plants, you can be certain there will be pesky creatures looking to munch. Unfortunately for houseplant parents, this holds true not just to greenhouses, but even inside our homes. That does not mean we cannot be prepared, and minimize any harm that may befall your plants.
Where Do Pests Come From?
Even if you haven’t bought a new houseplant in years, you could still find yourself with a sudden and unexpected infestation. Things like open doors and windows, cut flowers and produce, potting soil, and even other insects like ants can all be vectors, or points of infection/transmission within your home.
Here at Claussen's, we are always on the lookout for any sign of potential issues within our greenhouse. It is our goal to sell pest-free plants. Claussen's uses an Integrated Pest Management approach using natural predators to fight pest bugs, reducing the use of chemicals. We emphasizes natural and low toxic chemicals making it safer for the environment, customers and our employees. We are taking these steps for our future, because our top priority is you, our employees and our environment. Whether you are buying from Claussen's or any other plant supplier, we always recommend that you examine any plants you buy from any source before you bring them home as well, it is always possible for tiny insects or eggs to sneak past even the most attentive observer.
No one can catch every single little bug that might make its way through the door, so while diligence can help, every indoor gardener needs to know what to do when pests eventually happen.
Here at Claussen's, we are always on the lookout for any sign of potential issues within our greenhouse. It is our goal to sell pest-free plants. Claussen's uses an Integrated Pest Management approach using natural predators to fight pest bugs, reducing the use of chemicals. We emphasizes natural and low toxic chemicals making it safer for the environment, customers and our employees. We are taking these steps for our future, because our top priority is you, our employees and our environment. Whether you are buying from Claussen's or any other plant supplier, we always recommend that you examine any plants you buy from any source before you bring them home as well, it is always possible for tiny insects or eggs to sneak past even the most attentive observer.
No one can catch every single little bug that might make its way through the door, so while diligence can help, every indoor gardener needs to know what to do when pests eventually happen.
The Basics of Pest Management
The first step to make your plants happy and healthy is to research your plants' needs and take excellent care of them. Plants are often able to mount their own defenses against pest invaders. Providing too much or too little sunlight, over or under-watering, keeping your home too cold, or placing plants where they’ll encounter sudden changes of temperature can all contribute to pest problems.
Catching infestations early is the best way to keep them small and manageable. And the best way to catch an issue early is to spend time with your plant regularly, or at least as often as your schedule allows.
When you do spot some unwelcome visitors, the first thing to do is to isolate them away from your other plants. Treating one or two plants is much easier than dealing with an infestation throughout your entire indoor jungle. Sometimes the use of a quarantine room can be necessary (meaning no other plants will be in the room).
As with outdoor pests, it’s best to use the least toxic solution that will work for your pest problem. After all, there’s no reason to add potentially harmful chemicals to your home if something natural is all you need. In some cases, just changing the soil, humidity or the way you’re watering can clear up an issue. Other times, a little soap and water, or rubbing alcohol can do the trick. While working with any infected and healthy houseplants plants: always disinfect your pruning tools and the tip of your watering can between caring.
Finally, make sure you know exactly which pest you’re dealing with! Do your research, call/email your local garden center or even join a local plant group on Facebook (there are many knowledgeable participants within these groups).
Once pests have been defeated and you've waited a couple of weeks to make sure they aren’t coming back, you can triumphantly move your plants out of isolation and back to their favorite spots.
Catching infestations early is the best way to keep them small and manageable. And the best way to catch an issue early is to spend time with your plant regularly, or at least as often as your schedule allows.
When you do spot some unwelcome visitors, the first thing to do is to isolate them away from your other plants. Treating one or two plants is much easier than dealing with an infestation throughout your entire indoor jungle. Sometimes the use of a quarantine room can be necessary (meaning no other plants will be in the room).
As with outdoor pests, it’s best to use the least toxic solution that will work for your pest problem. After all, there’s no reason to add potentially harmful chemicals to your home if something natural is all you need. In some cases, just changing the soil, humidity or the way you’re watering can clear up an issue. Other times, a little soap and water, or rubbing alcohol can do the trick. While working with any infected and healthy houseplants plants: always disinfect your pruning tools and the tip of your watering can between caring.
Finally, make sure you know exactly which pest you’re dealing with! Do your research, call/email your local garden center or even join a local plant group on Facebook (there are many knowledgeable participants within these groups).
Once pests have been defeated and you've waited a couple of weeks to make sure they aren’t coming back, you can triumphantly move your plants out of isolation and back to their favorite spots.
Enjoy Your Healthy Plants!
Pests can be a challenge, but once you know how to manage them, you can get right back to enjoying the company of your leafy friends.
Integrated Pest Management
As mentioned above, Claussen's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program uses natural predators to fight pest bugs, to reduce the use of chemicals and emphasizes natural and low toxic chemicals making it safer for the environment, customers and our employees. in place of chemical pesticides. We are taking these steps for our future, because our top priority is you, our employees and our environment.
How we use IPM:
ScoutingThe inspection of plants for pest and diseases. This requires going through the greenhouses randomly inspecting plants. This locates and identifies any pest or disease problems. These pests must be correctly identified in order to use the correct predator. Scouting is done on a regular weekly basis. There are a few tools to help with scouting.
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Hand LensThis process is used to have a better view of the plant parts or insects.
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Laminated Light Colored PaperThis process is used for tapping out the plant. Gently tap the plant over the paper to see what falls out.
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Monitoring CardsThese are yellow double sided sticky cards that trap all stages of flying insects.
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Indicator PlantsPlants that are attractive to certain pest are put out in the crop to draw out the pest to help with early detection. More commonly used are Pole beans, marigolds, & eggplants.
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MicroscopeMany biologicals & pests are microscopic. The Microscope helps to see them better and to correctly identify types of pest. For example: there are several species of Aphids, we must identify which type of aphid in order to get the correct natural predator.
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Biological Controls come in:
CarriersThe material the biological predators are packaged in. The carrier is organic and provides shelter and food in some cases. The carrier can be sawdust, vermiculite, bran or a combination.
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Sachet'sA breeding system that is a slow, controlled release of predatory mites. The sachet contains the predatory mites, feeder mites and bran. The bran is food for the feeder mites, which are food for the predatory mites when pest populations are low. There is a small hole located behind the stick of the sachet for the mites to exit. The mites slowly release from the sachets for 6 weeks searching the crop for pests. These “good” bugs are microscopic making them hard to see by the naked eye and are not harmful to humans or animals.
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