Insects can frustrate indoor plant owners. Although it’s natural outdoors to have bugs mixed in with plants, indoors, we don’t want to know there are insects crawling all over our favourite creations.
Unless you have an artificial plant that can be cleaned with ease, how to get rid of insects from plants isn’t always clear. Of course, you can’t use the regular insecticides to tackle those pesky little insects. You’ve got to go about it safely and without damaging your plant.
Here is how to get rid of insects from plants. For aphids, mites, and other bugs, try these natural solutions.
Water
A heavy downpour of water is often enough to remove bugs from plants. Unfortunately, it does nothing to keep them away. If you want to ensure insects stay away, you will have to pull out something stronger.
Garlic
Garlic has a strong smell which is why a lot of homeowners prefer not to use this method. Fortunately, it does work. Garlic detracts bugs. A clove of garlic into the soil of houseplants will keep bugs away.
Soapy Water
Mix 4 cups of water with 5 tablespoons of dish soap. You won’t find a safer, easier anti-insect concoction made from natural ingredients at home. The water is your carrier while the soap dehydrates bugs like aphids and spider mites. In no time, you’ll have defeated them.
Isopropyl Alcohol
Create an alcohol spray by mixing 1-2 cups of 70% isopropyl alcohol with a quart of water. The alcohol repels insects and will keep your foliage looking its best. A much easier way to get rid of insects from houseplants might be to invest in some faux plants. Insects aren’t interested in anything except the real thing.
Pepper Spray
You can make pepper spray from 2 tablespoons of red pepper, 6 drops of dish soap, and one gallon of water. If you don’t have any red pepper, you can alternate it for black pepper, chili pepper, dill, ginger, or paprika. What you want is the capsaicin in the pepper. Capsaicin is successful in warding off spider mites and other insects.
Nicotine
Mix 1 cup of dried and crushed tobacco leaves with 1 gallon of warm water and 1/4 tsp of dish soap. You create a nicotine tea this way. Let it sit for 30 minutes and then strain. Then, spray the nicotine-soaked mixture directly on the leaves. This will repel any leaf-chewing insects. Homeowners looking for an easier way to keep bugs from their home, silk plants aren’t so challenging to care for.
Beer
We know it sounds a little silly but beer works. Snails and slugs are attracted to beer. For an alternative, try grape juice, grapefruit, or orange rinds. These all perform the same job. Leave some out for a few days and you can trap and prevent insects like snails from getting to your plant leaves and roots.
The best thing about artificial plants is that you stop an insect invasion before it even starts. ArtiPlanto has premium-quality faux houseplants, fake plants, and artificial greenery for your home. Make it easy on you to keep bugs from your plants. Artificial never looked so real!
