House plants liven up your home especially in the winter when everything appears dead outside. However, bringing potted plants indoors can also introduce pests in your home and create unwanted infestations. Even if the plants don’t appear to have an infestation, they could have pests lurking beneath the soil near the root system.
Common Pests in Household Plants
Many pests still thrive in the winter and multiply in numbers when they’re given the right environment, such as a warm home. From flying insects to burrowing pests, they not only create a nuisance for families but also feed on the plants. A few common pests to watch out for include:
- Fungus gnats
- Whiteflies
- Spider mites
- Aphids
- Mealybugs
- Pill bugs
Gnats, whiteflies and aphids breed quickly and swarm around household plants. They also fly around your face and create an unbearable living space. Spider mites, mealybugs and pill bugs typically remain on the plant, slowly killing it during the winter. If you have infested household plants, using over-the-counter chemical treatments could harm you, your family and pets.
Professional Pest Elimination
When outdoor pests make their way indoors, have a pest control professional come in and diagnose the problem. A professional can determine the best solution to eradicate the infestation without risking the health of you and your family. In addition, a professional can apply preventative services to protect your household plants from future infestations. If you have unseen openings around your home, a pest control professional can also block the entry points and prevent pests from invading your space in the winter.
