I've been cultivating a ton of indoor plants for about two years, and while I've seen some success, the past year has been a nightmare with pests. Last summer was especially bad—I had to deal with thrips and spider mites nearly every week. I'm getting really tired of the constant upkeep: showering my plants, applying Neem oil, and just keeping an eye on them. Is this endless battle with pests just part of being a plant parent, or is there a way to keep my plants pest-free?
3 Answers
Pests can come through open windows or even on your clothes; there’s no way to completely avoid them, especially with indoor settings. Being vigilant and catching them early is key!
One thing you can do is quarantine any new plants and soil for at least two weeks to ensure they’re not bringing pests into your space. I picked up a gadget called the Katchy to catch little flies, and I also mist a bit of diluted hydrogen peroxide on the soil. You might find that bottom watering helps with pest control too. Also, try not to move plants from outside to inside to reduce pest chances!
It’s tough to control pest introductions since they can hitch a ride in soil or on new plants. Quarantining them helps! While some occasional pests are normal, constant infestations could mean your plants are stressed due to improper care. Be sure you're watering based on the soil's condition instead of a strict schedule, as both thrips and spider mites love dry environments. If you live in a dry area, consider using a humidifier or choosing drought-resistant plants.
Definitely! I realized that spider mites love to sneak in through window screens. My plants by the window seem to get infested the most. With indoor plants, you're always at risk since nature doesn’t have its usual checks and balances, like rain and predators.