From This Old House.
In this video, houseplant pests can feel stressful and overwhelming, but their arrival doesn’t mean all is lost. Jenn Nawada shows Kevin O’Connor how to identify, control, and avoid these bugs.
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Where to find it?
At the first sign of infestation, isolate the plant from any other plants. Prune any highly infested parts of the plant before treating the plant.
Mealy Bug Remedies
Alcohol [https://amzn.to/41Yw64e] and cotton rounds [https://amzn.to/4c38XSX]- Wipe away all visible bugs with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cotton pad or swab. It can also be diluted 1:1 with water if the plant is sensitive. Test patch areas of the plant before applying alcohol—check results after 2 days.
Alcohol and spray bottle [https://amzn.to/4ca6xC6] – Use a spray bottle and use a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water- 1 part alcohol to 3 parts water and a few drops of castile soap [https://amzn.to/4ljtMOj]. Ratio can vary depending on the type of plant. Rinse the plant with water after a few hours to remove the alcohol. Spray every day until the mealy bugs appear to be gone. Spray weekly for a couple of months after.
Insecticidal soap [https://homedepot.sjv.io/o40zym]
Neam oil [https://homedepot.sjv.io/3JojEd]
Spider Mite Remedies
Mist water [https://amzn.to/4ca6xC6] or humidifier [https://amzn.to/4j0ABCf] – spider mites thrive in dry areas. Add humidity to the room, or mist the leaves with water.
Castile soap [https://amzn.to/4ljtMOj] and water – Use 1 tablespoon of castile soap to 1 quart of warm water and spray the entire plant. Repeat weekly for a month.
Neam oil [https://homedepot.sjv.io/3JojEd]
Deadbug Brew Ready-to-Use sprayer [https://homedepot.sjv.io/Oe4noG]
Fungus Gnats
Gnat sticky traps [https://amzn.to/4l1MKIW] – for gnats or any other pests that fly like winged aphids, thrips, or whiteflies.
Mosquito Bits [https://homedepot.sjv.io/4GOMNZ] – used to kill fungus gnat larvae in the soil.
Plants and products provided by Weston Nurseries [https://www.westonnurseries.com/]
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About Ask This Old House TV: From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.
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How to Remove Houseplant Pests | Ask This Old House
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