Stop pests in their tracks: Home remedies for healthy plants
Pests are the bane of every plant enthusiast. If just one flower becomes infested, the rest of your plants may soon follow suit. Should you observe your plants wilting, it could be an early indication of insect presence. Here's how you can check.
Houseplants can become breeding grounds for pests in several ways. A common cause is introducing new plants into the home that are already infested. These can easily transfer insects to other plants, increasing the problem.
Pests may also appear due to poor growing conditions. High humidity or overly damp soil creates an ideal environment for developing larvae and insects. Therefore, it is crucial to regularly monitor your plants' condition, water them correctly, and ensure the soil is of good quality.
How to recognise if a plant is infected?
Identifying pests in houseplants is not difficult if you know what signs to look for. Changes in leaves, such as yellowing, wilting, or spotting, are indicators that something may be amiss.
It's also essential to inspect the underside of leaves and soil surface. Small insects or insect eggs, like gnats, often gather there. Unfortunately, some insects are so small they are difficult to see with the naked eye. However, to be completely certain your flowers are under attack by insects, you can try the cucumber test. How?
Test for pests in the pot
All you need is a small piece of fresh cucumber. Simply cut a 1 cm slice, place it on the damp soil in the pot, and leave it for 24 hours. Insects attracted by the juicy and aromatic vegetable are likely to take a bite. After this period, carefully examine the cucumber—if it's nibbled or covered with dark spots, it confirms the presence of insects.
How to combat pests with home remedies?
Natural methods to combat pests in pots can be effective and eco-friendly. It's worth starting with garlic-based preparations. Its strong aroma repels many insects; simply prepare a mixture of crushed garlic cloves with water and use it to water the plants.
Another ally in this battle is apple cider vinegar. Adding a few tablespoons to the watering can help deter unwanted pests. Its sour taste acts as a natural barrier.
