Plant Pests

You Have Tiny Black Bugs Flying Around Your Plants You spot them when you water. Little black flies, barely the size of a sesame seed, hovering just above the soil. You wave them away and they come back. You ignore them for a week and suddenly there are twice as many. If this sounds familiar, you’re dealing with fungus gnats, and you’re not alone. They’re one of the most common pest complaints from houseplant owners, and the good news is: you can sort this out at home, without anything fancy, in about two to three weeks. ...

How to Get Rid of Spider Mites on Houseplants (Fast) You notice a faint dustiness on the leaves. Maybe some tiny yellow speckles, or a leaf that looks a little washed out. You lean in closer and see the faintest threads of webbing in the crook where the stem meets a leaf. That’s when you know: spider mites have found your plant. Knowing how to get rid of spider mites is one of the most useful things you can learn as a plant person, because these pests move fast and they don’t announce themselves loudly. The good news is that if you catch them early, they’re very manageable. And even if the infestation has gotten ahead of you, there’s still a clear path back. ...