I'm excited to start growing some house plants in my room, but I have a bit of a phobia when it comes to bugs. Should I be worried about dealing with any insect problems once I bring plants inside?
3 Answers
I used to stress about that too, but after five years of having plants, I've hardly encountered any bugs at all. From what I've seen, the most common issue tends to be fungus gnats, but they can be managed with easy solutions. Remember, while outdoor plants attract bugs, indoor plants can usually remain bug-free if you take some precautions!
You might see a bug or two, but for the most part, they aren't interested in your house. Springtails are often found in the soil, but they're actually helpful since they eat mold and fungus. The main pest, the fungus gnat, is pretty easy to deal with by simply using some mosquito dunk water.
Houseplant pests are different from regular bugs. They usually stick to the plants, so you won't have an army of insects invading your kitchen! Things like thrips and scales won't be hiding out in your bathroom either.