Looking for recommendations on pest prevention. What are your favorite products/methods to keep your babies clean and thriving?
Looking for recommendations on pest prevention. What are your favorite products/methods to keep your babies clean and thriving?
I use mosquito bits in the water every single time to kill larvae in the soil including mealybugs and fungus gnats. I avoid other preventatives since my plants live outside in the warm months. There are many lizards, frogs and beneficial insects that could be hurt with the constant use of pesticides on my plants. đȘŽđ
4 gillningarI started doing this a few days ago and itâs already made a difference. I always had at least one gnat flying around and havenât seen any since.
1 gillaFor fungus gnats, I use microbelift mosquito control in each watering to my plants with soil. One to two drops per gallon so the bottle lasts forever. Then I use Bonide systemic houseplant insect control for prevention as well as a bonide insecticidal soap spray for when bugs are actually present. Just my .02 đ
3 gillningarMicrobelift works too. Itâs the liquid version since it contains the same beneficial bacteria (BTI) as mosquito bits.
0 gillningarThe only two issues Iâve had to deal with are: 1. Fungus gnats; I bottom water all I can and employ sticky traps as needed. 2. Spider mites; I prefer low-budget household remedies when possible so I use a hydrogen peroxide/water solution to clean the leaves of affected alocasiasâif infested you must do it every few days until cured
1 gillaI have a spray bottle with peppermint castile soap, isopropyl alcohol, and filtered water. I wipe down the leaves when I water.
1 gillaWhat are the ratios for this mix?
0 gillningar2 drops castile soap, 2 table spoonâs 70% isopropyl alcohol in a quart spray bottle
1 gillaI follow Paige Talin on IG (blossom_effect), and use her âsexy plant juice sprayâ itâs 2c water, 2tbsp neem oil, 1tbsp peppermint Castile soap, and 1tsp isopropyl alcohol. Put in spray bottle and spray all sides of your leaves and can use on soil as well. For larger leaves you can then use a micro fiber cloth to wipe off. Iâve been using it about a month now and seems to work great and makes the leaves so pretty and shiny!
1 gillaI use Bonide Systemic and insecticidal soap. Once in a while I will see a fungus gnat. I then turn my bug catcher light on for a few nights. And the occasional mealy bug, which are sometimes dead when I find them. I think the systemic helps a lot. I should add that I spray the jade plants at every watering. They seem to be the mealy bug magnet. My plants include succulents, monsteras, alocasias, Syngoniums, etc.
1 gilla