Pesticide Use Indoors: Using Pesticides And Other Chemicals On Your Houseplants
There are a wide range of products to help kill pests and diseases in your plants. As usual, you need to be sure to read and understand the instructions before you use them. This is especially true when using pesticides on houseplants. Keep reading for more information on how to use chemical pesticides indoors.
Pesticide Use Indoors
Different products are for different things, and they might not each work on all plants. Some plants can be damaged by pesticides. These items should be listed on the bottle. It's important to spray plants when you should, to avoid flowering times and when edible fruits are being produced. You should never spray your plants in bright, direct sunlight. All chemicals need to be stored in a dry place. Always keep them away from children and animals. Never mix these things up and put them in an unlabeled container. You will want to use them according to their strict instructions and never keep any with a label that's become unreadable.
What Pesticide Can I Use on Houseplants?
So you're probably wondering, "What pesticide can I use on houseplants?" You can purchase pesticides in many forms which include dust and liquid types. Dusts are useful when you need to keep moisture at bay. Liquids can be used as foliage sprays or for watering the compost. Pesticides are almost always sold in concentrates.
How to Use Chemical Pesticides Indoors
For indoor plants, you will want a small hand mister to apply the chemical. Make sure, in a plant that is infected, you treat the underside of the leaves as well. You need to be careful around fish tanks. You will want to cover the fish tank before applying any pesticides. Also, be sure to move your plants away from any fabrics that can stain. You can sometimes mix two pesticides together to get rid of more than one problem at the same time. Usually this is how someone will use a fungicide and insecticide together to control both pests and diseases. Again, make sure to read the directions so you don't mix things that should not be mixed.
Using Pesticide on Houseplants Organically
If you're an organic gardener and don't like to use pesticides, you can sometimes take care of pests and diseases yourself. You can remove and destroy the infected part of the plant, alter the environment or remove some pests with your fingers. Organic pesticides are now available as well. They are usually made with plant extracts and soaps -- such as with neem oil, which also doubles as a fungicide. However you decide to get rid of houseplant pests, just be sure to read the directions and know what you're doing.
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Heather Rhoades founded Gardening Know How in 2007. She holds degrees from Cleveland State University and Northern Kentucky University. She is an avid gardener with a passion for community, and is a recipient of the Master Gardeners of Ohio Lifetime Achievement Award.
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