What is attacking my snake plant? Infested snake plants can suffer from mealybug and spider mite infestations, as can various houseplants. They both consume the sap from the leaves of your spider plant, causing it to die. In case of a severe infestation, planting a new plant is always the best option.
The snake plants are tough plants that can survive almost any climate. However, snake plant pests can be a real pain in the neck to deal with. What is it about snake plants that attract pests? What is the best way to eliminate these insects on our snake plant? We’ll figure it out together.
What is attacking my snake plant? Snake plants tend to attract pests like aphids, scales, spider mites, gnats, and whiteflies. Infestation occurs primarily when snake plants are overwatered, humid, and have poor air circulation. Prevent pest problems by avoiding overwatering, checking frequently for pests, and using organic neem-based pest repellent. A properly treated plant can be cured of those stubborn pests. Find out the pests that can cause damage to your snake plant and the solutions to save it.
Common Bugs In Snake Plant
The following insects are commonly attracted to snake plants:
- Scales
- Fungus Gnats
- Spider mites
- Whiteflies
- Aphids
The Causes
Pest infestations are caused by many factors. The following are a few major ones:
- A high humidity level
- Watering too much
- Poor Ventilation
High Humidity
When the humidity is too high, snake plants can suffer. The snake plant prefers medium humidity levels, and if there are high humidity levels, regular monitoring is required.
As pests require moisture to survive, humid environments are ideal; hot climates also do not allow them to live for long. Pests prefer humid environments and plants. Humidity also damages leaves, causing them to yellow and wilt, as well as giving pests a perfect environment in which to flourish. Plants that are overwatered are a favorite of pests. When you continually overwater your plants, the soil suffers since the plants don’t have time to dry out. It is also possible for snake plants to develop root rot if submerged in water.
Such conditions attract pests, allowing them to thrive. Plants that are overwatered or infested by pests will suffer, which will force the owner to dispose of the entire plant. You should allow the plants to dry between waterings and maintain other cultural conditions. When it comes to watering, drainage is crucial. The soil will become soggy if pots don’t have adequate drainage.
Poor Ventilation
The best environment for snake plants is aerated soil with good airflow all around. When plants are kept together or in an area with insufficient airflow, they can attract pests. Root rot will also occur because of fungus and bacteria. The soil will not dry out quickly, which makes it perfect for pests to thrive.
How Do You Get Rid Of Bugs On Snake Plants?
There are a variety of methods to treat snake plants that are infected with pests. To prevent a pest infestation, you should take immediate action. It is possible to choose between organic and chemical pest control methods.
Prune And Isolate
Plants that have been infested should first be separated from the other plants. Pruning the damaged leaves may be necessary. Cut off the visible leaves and discard the parts that are infested and damaged. Make sure to clean up your hands and the area where the plant was previously infested.
Plant-Based Miticides
Besides being non-toxic and effective, natural miticides containing plant-based ingredients will not harm plants.
Here are some effective sprays to choose from:
- Pyrethrum: A natural chrysanthemum derivative. Attacks insects’ nervous systems to kill them.
- Cinnamate is an effective pesticide that is not harmful to plants, since it is derived from cinnamon oil. Over the next couple of weeks, you can spray the solution on the plant to eliminate pests.
- Insects can be treated with neem oil in a variety of ways. The seeds of the neem tree are used to make this natural insect repellent. Neem oil needs to be reapplied periodically to the plant to be effective.
- Rosemary oil is effective in preventing pests from attacking plants. It is best to spray rosemary oil on plants after diluting it with water. Neither humans nor plants are harmed by it.
Household Chemicals
You can make your own insecticide from the following ingredients instead of buying fancy miticides:
- Using rubbing alcohol is as simple as mixing it with water and spraying or wiping it on the leaves of your plants. The spray can be made by mixing 1:1 water and alcohol.
- Make a spray solution of liquid dish soap using one teaspoon of liquid dish soap and one liter of water. Spray the solution on pests. Spray on the solution and wipe it off with plain water. In order to achieve the desired outcome, repetition is the key.
What else do you have to do after knowing what is attacking my snake plant? Make sure you drain any extra water from your plant after watering it thoroughly. The plant should receive six hours of indirect sunlight each day as well as water.