The cherry tail-flower I bought for my mom was the only plant I took home from the university greenhouse that did n’t harbor a cuss ready to take advantage of her houseplant aggregation .
We connect to vendors to help you find relevant products . If you buy from one of our links , we may realize a commission .
We wo n’t even talk about the mealybugs I accidentally inaugurate into the greenhouse at home plate …
favorable for me , anthuriums , more colorfully known as flamingo plant , are n’t prone to many pest problem . But like all flora , they do now and then attract a few athirst insects .
If these insects strike , you ’ll be gear up to identify and deal with them with the information we ’ve compiled for you below .
Here ’s the batting order of usual culprit you may find badger your anthuriums :
How to Identify and Manage Common Anthurium Pests
1. Aphids
Aphids are Pyrus communis - mold , soft insectsthat come in a variety of unripe and brown shades and blow on the leave-taking and stems .
Not only do they absorb the plant ’s juices until the leaves become misrepresented and yellow-bellied , they exude a sticky byproduct called honeydew , which feeds ant andblack sooty mould , and this is not a pretty sight .
One aphid can turn into a huge job rapidly , because these gadfly can reproduce without twin . They give nascency to last unseasoned , which can also give giving birth after only seven days .
I ’ll give you a secondment to think about the math there . Not reasonably , correct ?
The good news is , good insects like ladybugs , parasitic wasps , and lacewing fly all approach aphids and will help oneself to knock down aphid populations and keep them down if growing these plants outdoors or in agreenhouse .
Green Lacewing Eggs
you could purchase unripe lacewing eggsat Arbico Organics .
These handy predators will aim other pest insect as well , so they can be a good investment .
Certain parasitoids love to round aphids too , laying their eggs inside the body of the pest where it develop into an adult before come forth , turning the aphid into a mummy .
A chain of species are available , each with individual climate and pest universe preferences . Some are better for prevention , and others are in effect when introduced during the tallness of an infestation .
Aphid Parasite
Aphidius colemaniis a good selection for gardeners in affectionate temperatures , for example , and isavailable at Arbico Organics .
If your tailflower is strictly an indoor houseplant , sum more bugs into the mix might not seem like a salutary option , or one that ’s really feasible . Luckily , insecticidal soap can also do the conjuration .
Bonide Insecticidal Soap
Bonide Insecticidal soap works well , and it ’s alsoavailable at Arbico Organics .
Make indisputable to spray directly on the pests and turn back the undersides of parting and in crevice for hideaways .
2. Fungus Gnats
Fungus gnats , in the Sciaridae family , are tiny , delicate , long - legged fly with clear extension and dark bodies . The adults can leave shameful fecal spots on the plant leave but they are n’t the literal issue – the bantam , clear , legless , black - head larvae are .
They mainly feed on decaying affair , but will get feed on root hairs if there are enough of them present and not enough solid food . This eating causa decreased zip and wilting , and provides pathogens with excellent entry point into the root .
Iffungus gnats are bugging your lulu , you ’ll unremarkably detect the flies indoors resting on the potting soil surface or the leaves , or flying against nearby windows .
They hump a wet planting spiritualist that ’s rich in constitutional affair , so decoct tearing and be sure to pick up any descend leave before they decompose .
NemAttack Beneficial Nematodes
Beneficial nematodesapplied as a drench to the soil or soilless medium can provide excellent control condition . Try NemAttack , available from Arbico Organics .
This product relies onSteinernema feltiae , a species of nematode that specializes in seeking out roving pests such as fungus gnat and thrips larvae .
Stratiolaelaps scimitusis another option . These mites can be applied to the soil and will target gnat larvae and pupa .
Fungus Gnat Predator
They areavailable at Arbico Organics .
Rove beetles are another predator alsoavailable at Arbico Organics , and these shining contraband insects can be introduced to the spiritualist as well .
3. Mealybugs
Several coinage of mealybug will assail tail-flower , include the citrus mealybugs ( Planococcus citri ) , for one .
Mealybugs in generalare small , soft , gray to white , wax - comprehend insects often sporting filaments on their sides , and sometimes two or three long bum tail behind them .
They give suck the colour and zip from the leave and exude honeydew melon just like aphid .
They particularly wish to clump on leafage veins and in plant crevices .
The mealybug destroyer , Cryptolaemus montrouzieri , available at Arbico Organics , is an efficient mealy bug gobbler . gullible lacewings will also attack mealybugs .
Mealybug Destroyer
Because they are protected by that waxy covering , mealybugs are intemperate to control with sprays . If you opt to use insecticidal soaps or vegetable oil , which can also be in force , make certain you enforce the mathematical product immediately on the mealybugs themselves .
4. Mites
Mites are not technically insects , but rather , tiny , eight - legged creatures that draw the cosh from the leaves and flowers , leaving light - dark stipples in their wake .
seriously damage foliage often looks silvered or tan , and sometimes these wanderer - like arachnids spin fine webs .
Tetranychus urticae , the two - spot spider mite , is most vulgar . It has a light suntan to gullible body and two dark spot .
There are a variety of predators available to subjugate an plague , including several predatory tinge species such as those in theAmblyseiusgenus . Each species has its own ideal workings conditions .
For example , A. fallaciscan live when prey populations are low , and likes low humidity and warm temperatures , so it is useful to apply as a preventive beat during the summertime .
The character you prefer should depend on pest population and your local mood and conditions conditions .
Insecticidal soaps and oil can be effective against infestations . If your tail-flower is grown indoors as a houseplant , spray may be a better choice than go for predatory mites . Applications should be thoroughgoing and may take repeating to achieve control .
Pyrethroids or organophosphates are also effective , but most of these harsh pesticide are not the right choice for indoor treatments .
5. Scale
Flat , oval - mold , and incur in various colour that often blend in with the plant , scale insect can be hard to spot .
They wish to flow out on the leaves and staunch , and suck on flora like aphids and mealybugs do . They do n’t move much , or at all . And if there are enough of them , your works can become stunt , lose vigour and become debile , and may finally pass .
If you notice these insects on your plant life , treat them with an insecticidal soap or oil . Ensure good reporting and keep up with repetition applications as involve , following package way .
Something to keep in mind : these dirt ball are well protected under their waxy coverings , and it can be hard to drink down them with contact sprays . Systemic insecticides may be most in force as the insects will ingest them as they feed .
6. Thrips
Thrips are tiny , bullet - shaped insectsin shade of idle tan to melanize . They have four fringed wing but ca n’t fly very well . expectant thrips population can leave alone ugly scars on the flowers and leafage of anthurium plants .
Several species will aggress anthuriums , include tailflower ( Chaetanaphothrips orchidii ) , palm ( Parthenothrips dracaenae ) , western flower ( Frankliniella occidentalis ) , and baccy thrips ( F. fusca ) .
Unless you are an expert and have access to a microscope , you plausibly wo n’t be able to distinguish the individual species . fortuitously , direction is similar across species .
thrip pupate in the soil , so one of the easy ways to control them is by implement Sf good nematodes , as described above , to the dirt or pot medium .
S. scimitusmites , also used for treating fungus gnats , can be enforce to knock down population of thrips in the soil as well .
Both nematodes and predatory mites are suitable for outdoor as well as indoor use , since they hide out out on and in the soil , and wo n’t be flying around your family and land on unsuspecting guests like other good louse might .
Neem rock oil and azadirachtin can both be applied to help deal with a thrip return .
Bonide Neem Oil
Bottles of ready - to - use or concentrated neem oil that will need to be diluted are available from Bonide and can be purchasedfrom Arbico Organics .
AzaSol Broad Spectrum Insecticide
AzaSol Broad Spectrum Insecticide with dynamic ingredient azadirachtin , derived from the neem tree , can also bepurchased from Arbico Organics .
This is a gunpowder that must be fuse with body of water according to packet directions to make a atomiser for coating .
skilful coverage with either of these is important . Plus , thrips are most fighting in the daybreak and evening .
It ’s practiced to take advantage of this , because they insert themselves into fuddled crevice and are difficult to reach with spray at other times .
Flawless Flamingo Flowers
While the lean of cuss thatcouldattack your plants may seem intimidating , the two most common anthurium pest – aphids and thrips – are n’t in reality all that common , especially onanthuriums grown as houseplants .
So , you’re able to relax a little .
But wait , not too much ! Keep an eye on your plant even so . Most of these insects are so tiny they can be hard to notice until infestations become a vast job .
Since these glossy - riff plants take veritable dusting to keep them looking fresh and beautiful anyway , take that chance to inspect thoroughly while you ’re houseclean and remove any pest insect you see .
This will go a long manner in keeping your anthuriums as centre - catching as ever !
In the meanwhile , learn more about caring for anthuriumsin these guides :
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more contingent . Product picture via Arbico Organics . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
About
Sylvia Dekker
