TLDR: I want to say THANK YOU SO MUCH to everyone who took the time to check out my post yesterday about my plants collectively shitting the bed. The eagle eyes of redditors never ceases to amaze.
Despite having looked through with a magnifying glass… I missed the pests. I guess my vision isn’t as good as it used to be, lol. 😭
I found spider mites and aphids 😫 and spent 8+ hours giving them a powerful shower and then washing every leaf with my dr bronners+alc+water mix. Followed that up by neem oil.
The worst part is I’m only maybe 70% done treating plants.. but since the others are not close to the infected plants I found I have high hopes (and low expectations) that they are okay.
I have systemic granules on the way as well.
Any more tips for keeping plants pest free in the future? Over ten years and I’ve never dealt with this before but now I’m paranoid!
Pic 1&2 washy washy / pic 3 stupid effin aphid beetches
by motolady
11 Comments
I also found this weird “fluid” on some of the effed up pearls and jade. Anyone have any idea wtf this is?
Pray for my P&J 😭 it took the brunt of the damage
https://preview.redd.it/4lrsilnuqj7f1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ed5cbf3d44f85ae13b37fba11794039740bf90d8
I swear by diatomaceous earth for most things.
It’s natural (it’s crushed beetles, it works because the fine powder gets in the crevices of the bugs’ carapace. Do not use outside though), and very efficient. I use a big paint brush, dip it in the powder, and tap the brush where I want it to land. It has to be dry to work.
For things like mealy bugs that are “waterproof”, it works wonders. It does however look like you have sprinked “flour” all over your plants.
For outside pests, I actively grow what some may consider to be weeds, but they attract ladybirds and other predators that eat my problems away.
This has been one of the biggest lessons I have learnt over the years, attracting other bugs has been the easiest, prettiest, and most satisfying way to control the frustratingly tiny yet voracious little f***** in my garden.
Spraying diluted soapy water is excellent for aphids too.
I’m currently in denial about my spider mite and thrip status…. in denial until I have a full 12 hours to dedicate to eradicating them. Sighhhhhhhhhhhh.
I’m sorry 😞 the only thing I can say is to continue preventative measures consistently after this era resolves. I finally solved my thrips issue but missed a treatment & it’s a free for all in here. I just had to cut back my big bush of a maranta. I stand in solidarity with you against these heaux ♥️
Beneficial insects are my go to. I’ve had spider mites a couple of times now and thrips once and they’ve done the trick each time. I use Sound Horticulture and they’re nice folks that can recommend what to get based on your situation and needs.
Spider mites are such a bitch. I hate mosquitoes with a passion, but Im getting to the point Id trade them for whipping out mealys and spidermites
Put neem cake in your soil!
Careful, you don’t want to use systemic granules with spider mites present. Imidacloprid will kill most insects, but spider mites are arachnids and it actually makes them breed faster.
i find putting my plants outdoor in spring thru fall really helps keep the pests away. something about the stagnant air indoor that causes pests. i dont know if it’s because theres all kinds of predators outdoors to help keep it at bay but the plants love it and and they are much healthier too. orchids , philodendron, bromeliad, succulents… everything outdoor… of course the ones needing indirect light goes into dappled shade or morning sun only areas but thats what i find works well.
The only trick I’ve found to completely eradicate pests is to use multiple means of control simultaneously. If you want to get rid of the pests and not just manage them I would use a spray on pesticide as well as the systemic granules. Maybe even two different spray on pesticide that you alternate using.
Captain jacks dead bug and pyganic pyrethrin sprays are good. Use the granules whenever you water and alternate using the two different sprays every other day, captain jacks on Tuesday, pyrethrin on Thursday etc. do this for about two weeks.
You kind of have to go a little overboard if you want 100% pest free plants.
Oh and also make sure to isolate EVERY new plant and treat it for pests even if it looks like it doesn’t have them.
Mealy bugs are a forever pest. Their eggs are so sneaky and they seem to be able to survive and reproduce just on the plant itself, so replacing all the soil does nothing. The systemic granules do nothing against them either. I can’t speak for spider mites of thrips.