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Pest Management Guidelines
A Cornell Cooperative Extension Publication

  
New York Pest Management Guidelines

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Houseplant Pest Management

Houseplant Pest Management

Contents

Further Reading. 1

Table 6 Houseplant pesticide guidelines. 2

African violet 2

Asparagus fern. 2

Begonia. 2

Citrus. 2

Coleus. 2

Croton. 3

Dieffenbachia. 3

Dracaena. 3

False aralia. 3

Ferns. 3

Fuchsia. 3

Gardenia. 3

Geranium.. 4

Gloxinia. 4

Grape ivy (Cissus) 4

Ivy (English) 4

Jade plant 4

(Crassula) 4

Palms. 4

Philodendron. 5

Pittosporum.. 5

Podocarpus. 5

Poinsettia. 5

Roses (miniature) 5

Rubber plant (Ficus) 5

Schefflera. 5

Weeping fig. 5

 

 

 

Various methods are available for managing pests of houseplants. The pest, number of plants infested, size of the planting, and inclination of the owner will determine what methods are best. Table 6 lists some registered pesticides for houseplants (see Tables 2 and 3 for toxicity information).

Many of the pesticides available for use on houseplants are formulated in ready-to-use pressurized cans or as pump sprays. Make sure the product you choose is labeled for use indoors and on houseplants. Other formulations may cause plant injury (phytotoxicity) or plant death. All pesticides labeled for use on houseplants should be applied outdoors.

Plant spikes containing insecticides may also be available. Be sure to follow label directions carefully: amount to use, how to water, storing unused spikes, precautionary statements, and hazards to humans. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling, or better yet, wear disposable gloves and discard after use.

For a general description of some common insects and diseases on houseplants and for information on nonpesticidal management of houseplant pests and diseases, see Part I, Cultural Methods.

Consider removing infected leaves or discarding infested plants rather than treating with a toxic substance. Most chemical pesticides are effective at protecting plants against disease but cannot “cure” existing infections.  If houseplants need to be sprayed, remove them from the living space for treatment. If weather allows, take the plants out of doors or into a garage to make the application. Bring plants back indoors when dry.

Note: Check all pesticide labels carefully. Products may not be registered on all varieties or may not be tested on all rare or unusual varieties. If the host and pest are not listed on the label, do not use the pesticide.

Fungus gnats may breed in any moist soil that is high in organic matter. If they are a problem in houseplant soil, B.t. var. israelensis (Gnatrol, Knox-out Gnats) may be used to control them.

 

Further Reading

Compendium of Ornamental Foliage Plant Diseases. Chase, A. R. 1987.American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, Minn. 114 pp.

 

Common Sense Pest Control Quarterly. Bio-Integral Resource Center newsletter. P.O. Box 7414, Berkeley, Calif. 94707.

 

Compendium of Flowering Potted Plant Diseases.Daughtrey, M. L., R. L. Wick, and J. L. Peterson. 1995. American Phytopathological Society, St. Paul, Minn. 90 pp.

 

Diseases of Geraniums. Horst, R. K., and P. E. Nelson. 1985. Cornell Cooperative Extension Information Bulletin 201. Ithaca, NY. 33 pp.

 

IPM Practitioner. Bio-Integral Resource Center newsletter. P.O. Box 7414, Berkeley, Calif. 94707.

 

The Healthy Indoor Plant  Powell, C. C., and R. Rossetti. 1992. Rosewell Publishing, Box 2920, Columbus, Ohio 43216. 297 pp.

 

P29LEAFA

Powdery mildew of begonia. Symptons are similar on many other kinds of plants.

 

 


Table 6 Houseplant pesticide guidelines

Plant

Pest/Disease

Some recommended pesticides for management

African violet

Botrytis blight (gray mold)

Apply Bacillus subtilis or thiophanate-methyl once following cultural plant sanitation practices. Under greenhouse conditions apply Mycostop.

 

Powdery mildew

Apply myclobutanil, Bacillus subtilis, neem oil, thiophanate-methyl, jojoba oil, or Lilly Miller RTU -MPF per label directions.

Cyclamen mites

None. Discard infested plant. Isolate new plants for three to four months before placing in your collection.

Mealybug

Insecticidal soap, neem, resmethrin, or pyrethrins plus soap are registered.

 

Root mealybug

Apply insecticidal soap using drench treatment as specified on label.

Asparagus fern

Aphids

aphid

Spray with insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, neem, or resmethrin.

Begonia

Bacterial leaf spot (Xanthomonas sp.)

Apply Bacillus subtilis per label directions.

 

Botrytis blight (gray mold)

Apply Bacillus subtilis or Cleary's 3336F. Under greenhouse conditions apply Mycostop.

 

Powdery mildew

Apply myclobutanil, Bacillus subtilis, neem oil, thiophanate-methyl, jojoba oil, or Lilly Miller RTU-MPF per label directions.

 

Aphids

Treat with insecticidal soap, or neem.

whitefly

Whitefly

Mealybug

Treat with insecticidal soap, neem, or resmethrin.

Whitefly

Treat with insecticidal soap, neem, or resmethrin. Good coverage of leaf undersides is important for control. Repeat sprays may be needed.

Citrus

Scale

Use insecticidal soap or pyrethrins plus soap . Treat the crawler stage (the young insect that emerges from the egg and “crawls” to a feeding site).

 

Spider mites

Apply insecticidal soap or pyrethrins plus soap. Good coverage of leaf undersides is important for control. Repeat sprays may be needed.

 

Whitefly

Use insecticidal soap, pyrethrins plus soap or neem. Good coverage of leaf undersides is important for control. Repeat applications may be needed.

Coleus

Mealybug

Spray with insecticidal soap, pyrethrins plus soap, neem, or resmethrin.

 

Whitefly

Spray with insecticidal soap, pyrethrins plus soap, neem, or resmethrin. Good coverage of leaf undersides is important for control. Repeat sprays may be needed.

Croton

Mealybug

Treat with insecticidal soap, pyrethrins plus soap or neem.

Dieffenbachia

Spider mites

Treat with horticultural oil, pyrethrins plus soap or resmethrin. Good coverage of leaf undersides is important for control. Repeat sprays may be needed.

Dracaena

Mealybug

Treat with horticultural oil, insecticidal soap, pyrethrins plus soap or resmethrin.

 

Spider mites

Use insecticidal soap, pyrethrins plus soap or resmethrin. Good coverage of leaf undersides is important for control. Repeat sprays may be needed.

False aralia

Scale

Insecticidal soap, pyrethrins plus soap or resmethrin may be used when crawlers are active.

 

Spider mites

Use insecticidal soap, pyrethrins plus soap, resmethrin, or tetramethrin sprays. Good coverage of leaf undersides is important for control. Repeat sprays may be needed.

Ferns

Anthracnose

Apply Milstop or Remedy if needed.

 

Scale

Treat with insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, or resmethrin. Check all pesticide labels carefully. Product may not be registered on all varieties or may not be tested on all rare or unusual varieties. If host and pest are not listed on the label, do not use the pesticide.

Fuchsia

Botrytis blight