Various insects are known among the ornamental plants of the prairies. We hope this article helped you identify and fix this error.
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If you have houseplants, there will definitely be bugs on your houseplants at some point.
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Various insects are known among the ornamental plants of the prairies. We hope this article helped you identify and fix this error.
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Mushroom gnats and sandflies are the most common insects on houseplants. They're often referred to as "the pesky little black flying bugs that try to fly up your nose, glass of water, and food when guests come to visit."
Mushroom gnats fly poorly, while seaflies aim better, like small houseflies. Mushroom gnats and sea flies prefer moist, cool soil in which to lay and hatch their eggs. Be sure to dry the potting soil between waterings to avoid mushroom gnats and beach flies.
If you already have a problem with mushroom gnats or beach flies, dry out the potting soil. Fill the houseplant soil with the nematode Steinernema feltiae (found in your local garden). This nematode destroys fungus gnats and seafly larvae in the soil.
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Place the yellow postcards in different spots among the houseplants. The yellow color attracts insects. When they land on the map, they're held in place by a substance that sticks to them. This card is not only useful for catching insects, but also helps control the type and number of insects flying between ornamental plants.
Spider mites are also common on houseplants. These tiny mites (less than 1mm long) suck sap from plants. Symptoms of spider mite infestation include small yellow spots on leaves, a persistent double coat around the growing area, leaf drop and eventually plant death. Sometimes small spiders can be seen on the cobwebs or under the leaves.
Mites prefer warm, dry conditions. Control spider mites by increasing the humidity around the plants: frequent daily spraying for at least seven days in a row will interrupt their life cycle. Rodenticide sprays can also help.
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Aphids are small (1-10 mm) sap-sucking insects that range in color from light green to red to brown or black and are usually found on the undersides of leaves. Symptoms of aphid infestation are weak plants and/or a sticky substance on the leaves (aphid or melon droppings).
To interrupt the life cycle of aphids, wash infested plants daily with a spray of water or treat the plants with insecticidal soap. The soap must cover the aphids to be effective. Parasites like Aphidius colemani can be obtained as a benefit; However, success rates can vary depending on the plant's environment and the type of aphids present.
Whiteflies are small (1-2 mm long and 3 mm wide) white insects, triangular in shape and usually found on the underside of leaves. Plants of the Solonaceae family (tomatoes, peppers, aubergines) and poinsettias are particularly sensitive to whitefly attacks. Reduce whitefly numbers by lightly vacuuming the plant or using postcards to control whitefly infestation.
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Thrips are small (1mm), slender, oval tan insects that fly weakly but move quickly. Symptoms of thrips damage include distorted growth points and small brown lesions on leaves. Thrips are difficult to identify on plants. Place a piece of white paper under the suspected plant and gently shake off the leaves. The thrips fell onto the paper where they were clearly visible.
Thrips are difficult to control: vacuum plants lightly, use postcards to reduce thrips numbers, and apply soil nematodes (Steinernemafeltiae) to control their larvae.
Mealybugs and scale can cause significant problems on established houseplants. Mealybugs are soft-bodied, oval-shaped insects up to 5 mm long, white to reddish-white in color and covered in a waxy white material. They are often found clustered on stems or in leaf axils and produce honey dew which turns into a sooty white fungus.
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The mealybug is 5 to 10 mm long and is light to dark brown in color. Located on the stem or underside of the leaves, they have a hard shield-like covering over their soft body (like armor). Mosquitoes and mealybugs can be controlled using horticultural oil or dormant oil that is sprayed directly on the insects. More applications may be required.
Prevent insect infestation by keeping houseplants healthy. Remove any dead or dying leaves. Always quarantine new plant supplements separately from other houseplants until you are sure there are no bugs.
This column is provided with permission from the Saskatchewan Perennial Society (SPS; saskperennial@hotmail.com). Visit our website (sassperennial.ca) or our Facebook page (facebook.com/sasperennial) for a list of upcoming gardening events.
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