The bugs are tiny, about 1/32 inch or even smaller, and resemble a speck of dirt until you see them move. They do not fly that I have seen, only crawl around. They seem to prefer spider plants and do not care for African violets or my mini rose bush at all. But I have seem them on my prayer plants and my pothos.
Can you please tell me the best way to get rid of these awful things? I really do not want to lose all of my beautiful plants.
Mommyrabbit
A: Mommyrabbit, vIt sounds like you're describing an infestation of aphids-especially if you're seeing a honeydew or sticky mold-type of substance on the leaves. Here some strategies for getting rid of them:
Physically Remove Them: Dislodge them with a blast of water from your kitchen sink sprayer or garden hose or try sucking them up with a hand-held vacuum.
Dry Them Out: Gently apply rubbing alcohol to leaves using a cotton ball or spray leaves with a mixture containing a few drops of Ivory dish soap and 1 quart of water.
Smother Them: Mix few drops of cooking oil in with Ivory dish soap and water and apply to leaves with a spray bottle.
Keep in mind that anything you apply to the leaves of your plants (organic or commercial) can burn the leaves and kill off beneficial insects. To minimize this, rinse the leaves with water a few house after application. Don't forget to treat the underside of your plant's leaves-a favorite spot for Aphids to hide-out and multiply.
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You may have aphids. They are probably the most common insect that infests plants -- both indoor and outdoor plants. You might want to try something like Safer Insecticidal Soap. There are other versions of the same thing, but they are made by different companies. This is probably the least toxic way to go and I would try this first. Otherwise, another common thing that is used (and it's frequently used in greenhouses,) is a product called Malathion. The problem with that is that the smell is horrendous, and unless you are in a well ventilated area, it can be really overwhelming. I don't think that it has any toxicity, but the smell (at least as far as I am concerned,) is really bothersome. Look at the leaves of your plant, and look at the underside. You might want to remove a few leaves (perhaps a leave from a few of your plants,) to take to a gardening center or greenhouse to show them.
The bugs don't hop or fly, or appear to have wings. They just walk.
Get a spray bottle and put some original Dawn dishsoap in it Not much Fill the rest with water If it bubbles that's Ok IF not that is Ok also. Spray your plants daily until you see no more bugs IF they return just repeat application.
I have also heard of tobacco water used to kill the buggers as well.
Soak a little tobacco in some water over night and in the morning put the water in a spray bottle and spray away the bugs.
If they're not aphids, they sound like spider mite, especially if they're making the leaves a bit mottled or brown. In my experience aphids don't tend to go for spider plants, whereas red spider mite does.
Sounds like thrips to me. I am still battling them. Spraying them doesn't seem to work but a systemic insecticide is making progress. You have to be very diligent as they are prolific and come back with a vengence.
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