Many types of plants can be susceptible to pests and diseases. One plant in particular that is often plagued with these problems is the Snake Plant, also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue or Sansevieria. When choosing a plant for your home, it is important to know how to identify signs of disease and pest infestation so you can successfully deal with them before they get out of control!
Common Snake Plant Bugs
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are the most common pest that infests Snake Plants. The bugs will cover themselves in a waxy shield and stick to leaves, stems, or even other plants near yours. They can be found anywhere from top to bottom of the plant but generally inhabit areas with fewer nutrients so it might take time for you to notice an infestation.
Mealybugs feed on plant sap and will leave behind a sticky honeydew, which is often covered in ants or flies that are attracted to the sweet substance. You might also notice some yellowing of leaves or stunting of individual growth due to their constant feeding.
Getting Rid of mealybugs Naturally
There are many ways you can go about getting rid of these bugs naturally. Here is one proven method that should take care of any mealybugs on your plant:
-Mix two tablespoons of mild dish detergent with a gallon of water in the sink or outside near your plant
-Use a spray bottle to apply this mixture all over the plant, paying close attention to the leaves and stems
-Use a toothbrush or small bristled brush to scrub all over your plant, being sure not to miss any spots that might be difficult for you to reach
Repeat this process every day until no more mealybugs are seen on the plant. After about two weeks of treatment, there should be no more mealybugs and the plant should start to grow again.
Spider Mites
Another common problem with Snake Plants is spider mites. These pests are much smaller than mealybugs and can be difficult to spot at first, but they usually reside on the top of leaves where you will see lots of webbing or small red dots that resemble tiny droplets of blood.
Spider Mites feed by sucking plant juices from beneath the surface of the leaves, which will often cause yellowing or curling. These pests can also be found on the underside of leaves where you might see small stippled dots that are spider mite feces.
Getting Rid of Spider Mites Naturally
Here is a natural way to get rid of these pesky pests.
-Create an infusion by boiling a cup or two of water and adding one tablespoon each of dried peppermint, burdock root (also known as gobo), basil leaves, and rosemary sprigs
-Place this mixture in the sink or outside near your plant
-Use a spray bottle to apply this mixture on the top and underside of leaves, paying close attention to webbing or droplets
-Repeat every day until you see no more spider mites. This should take about one week using this natural method.
Scale Insects
Scale insects are another type of pest that can infest Snake Plants. These bugs usually come in clusters and will cover the leaves, stems, or even other plants near your plant with their hard shell-like shells.
They often appear as small bumps on a leaf but when you peel off the protective covering to reveal what is underneath it resembles a yellow circle with a brown center.
Scale insects will feed on plant sap and can cause many problems, such as reduced growth if the infestation is severe enough or death of the whole plant in extreme cases.
Getting Rid of Scale Insects Naturally
Here are some natural ways that you might be able to take care of these pesky pests:
-Mix a drop of dish soap in a gallon of warm water
-Use the mixture to spray all over your plant, being sure not to miss any spots that might be difficult for you to reach. This should kill most scale insects and make it easy for you to peel them off yourself
-Repeat every day until no more scale insects are seen. This should take about one week
-Repeat this process every day until no more mealybugs are seen on the plant. After about two weeks of treatment, there should be no more mealybugs and the plant should start to grow again.
White Fly
Another pest that snake plants can have is the white fly. These insects are white and look very similar to an adult mosquito, but they feed on plant fluids. White flies will usually leave a sticky residue behind after feeding which looks like a honeycomb pattern or a glistening film of bubbles.
White flies thrive in hot, moist environments and will often feed on the underside of leaves due to the humidity there. They are also attracted by yellow or red colors which is why they love to settle in Snake Plants with their speckled foliage.
Getting Rid of White Flies Naturally
Here are a few natural methods that you might try:
-Spray a mixture of half water and half milk on plants every day. The white fly might not like this milky liquid so it should help to deter them
-Mix together equal parts vinegar, sugar, dish soap, and warm water in a spray bottle
-Spray the plant with this mixture every morning for one week until you see no more white flies.
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that come in various colors and sizes. Some of the most common aphid species found on plants are green peach or cabbage aphids and black ants.
These pests will feed by sucking sap from leaves which can cause yellowing, curling, stunted growth, and other problems if it is left untreated.
Getting Rid of Aphids Naturally
Here are some natural ways to get rid of these pests:
-Use a spray bottle with water and dish soap in it to loosen the aphids from leaves, stems, or flowers
-Spray this mixture on plants every day for one week until you see no more aphid infestation
-Spray a mixture of neem oil, dish soap, and water on plants every day for one week until you see no more aphids
-Mix together equal parts vinegar, sugar, dish soap, and warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the plant with this mixture every morning for one week until you see no more white flies.
Ants
Some types of ants will feed on Snake Plants, and some will even nest in the pot. Ants can quickly become a problem for your plant if they are not treated soon enough.
Getting Rid of Ants Naturally
-Spray plants with water every day to keep them from crawling up onto it
-Cover plants with a thin layer of petroleum jelly to prevent ants from climbing up the leaves
-Mix together equal parts vinegar, sugar, dish soap, and warm water in a spray bottle. Spray the plant with this mixture every morning for one week until you see no more white flies.
Caterpillars
Caterpillars are the larval form of a butterfly and moth. They feed on plants in order to grow, and while some will not cause any long-term harm, others can potentially devastate your plant with just one feeding session!
Getting Rid of caterpillars Naturally
There are a few methods you can use to get rid of caterpillars without using chemicals. Try these natural options first and if they don’t work, then resort back to insecticides:
-Get an infestation under control by vacuuming up the plant leaves or removing them from your home entirely (this will help keep future eggs from hatching)
-Spray the plant with a solution of water and dish soap. This will kill off any eggs that are present on or in your snake plant as well as any remaining caterpillars.
-Cut leaves away to expose pupae for insecticide sprays (this is only effective if it’s done before the caterpillars pupate)
-Place dry ice in the soil around your plant. This will kill off any insects that are hiding below ground
-Remove leaves from the top of your snake plant and place them on a shallow cardboard box or dish with holes cut out for air circulation. Place it outdoors during the winter months where natural predators such as birds and spiders will find them.
-Apply diatomaceous earth to the leaves. This substance is made from crushed fossils of single-celled organisms called diatoms; its abrasive quality breaks down an insect exoskeleton, causing death due to dehydration
Caterpillars can also be controlled by getting plants away from windows or other bright lights. These types of environments are attractive to butterflies and can attract caterpillars too!
Thrips
Thrips are small insects that can be found on or near the leaves of plants. They often appear as tiny dots with wings and will eat holes in these leaves which can cause them to wilt. These pests thrive best when temperatures are humid so it is important to make sure your home’s air conditioning unit is functioning properly!
Getting Rid of Thrips Naturally
One way to prevent and eliminate Thrips is by spraying the plant with a mixture of water, dish soap, and vinegar. This will kill off any insects on or around your Snake Plant. Simply fill a spray bottle with this solution then target these areas of concern! You can also use Neem Oil which has been proven effective in repelling thrips.
Another option for dealing with this pest is to set up a trap by placing the sticky tape under the leaves of your Snake Plant, then add some Neem Oil to it so that all insects will be trapped and die once they make contact!
Finally, you can also try planting Marigolds which are natural bug repellents! They are perfect for keeping pesky Thrips away from your Snake Plant.
Fungus Gnats
Fungus gnats are small, black, flying insects that feed on the roots of many types of plants. They don’t usually cause any damage to your plant but they can be a nuisance since they lay their eggs in moist soil and often show up around windows or doors where there is moisture from leaking pipes. You may see larvae or eggs near the surface of your plants. You may also see adults flying around indoors and outdoors in humid areas or during moist weather.
Fungus gnats are often attracted to Snake Plants because these plants require high levels of humidity, which fungus gnats thrive on. To prevent them from infesting your snake plant, try moving it away from windows or doors and make sure to water it less.
Ridding Plants of Fungus Gnats Naturally
If you have an infestation and are looking for natural ways to get rid of them, try using diatomaceous earth. Diatomaceous Earth is a white powder that dissolves into individual particles with sharp edges when mixed with water. The insects mistake the tiny pieces as food or egg-laying spots and inadvertently end up eating it which destroys their gut, causing them to dry up and die.
To use diatomaceous earth on your plant infested with gnats:
-First put the container near where you want to apply it
-Mix a few tablespoons of Diatomaceous Earth in water or another liquid until the powder has dissolved into individual particles
-Spray the solution onto your plant
-Repeat every few days until all of the gnats are gone.
Chemicals vs Natural Pest Control
It’s important to know that there are many different ways you can combat the pests in your home– some of which may seem a bit extreme but will work well for getting rid of these pesky insects.
Chemicals
Insecticides and other chemical agents pose health risks as they’re toxic, so it’s best to use them only when absolutely necessary.
Natural Pest Control
You can use the following methods to get rid of pests without any chemicals! Simply place a dish with sugar and water outside your house or near plants that are safe for other wildlife, then add some rotten fruit such as bananas or oranges which will attract ants.
These insects feed on the sweet liquid but also enjoy the fruit, so they carry it back to their nest where other ants will find and eat it. This will eliminate any pests without risking your health or harming plants!
How Bugs Get Into Your Home
If you’re wondering how bugs get into your home, it’s actually pretty simple– they simply slip in through small cracks and crevices that are prevalent around windows or doors.
You may also find them crawling on the ground near outdoor air vents which lead to the inside of your house. This is why cleaning up any debris from outside will help stop the bugs from crawling through the cracks and into your home!
Getting Rid Of Bugs In Plant Soil
If you’re wondering how to get rid of bugs in plant soil, one idea is to simply use insecticidal soap.
-First mix the insecticidal soap with a few drops of water or another liquid until it’s dissolved into individual particles and fully mixed together
-Spray directly onto your plants so that all insects will come into contact with the soap
-Repeat every few days until all of the bugs are gone.
Neem Oil
This is one of the most popular natural insecticides and can be used on plants as well. Mix a few drops with water or another liquid until fully mixed together, then spray directly onto your plant’s leaves to achieve maximum effectiveness in getting rid of pests.
Neem oil has been shown to have many benefits for humans too such as its ability to fight against autoimmune disorders and depression.
Garlic
Garlic is a natural herb that can be used as an insect repellant. To do this, simply crush up two cloves of garlic and place them on the plant’s soil– make sure to rub it in so they have maximum contact with the bugs. This will prevent pests from infesting your plants.
Vegetable Soap
Vegetable soap is a great, all-natural way to keep pests away from your plants. Simply mix it with water or another liquid and spray directly onto the plant’s soil– you can also apply it as needed if there are any signs of infestation. The vegetables in this solution will repel the insects without harming them!
Conclusion
Pests and diseases can be a problem for many types of plants. One such plant is the Snake Plant, also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue or Sansevieria. When choosing a plant for your home, it is important to know how to identify signs of these problems so you can successfully deal with them before they get out of control.