Penguin
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Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 1:17 am
Location: Denver, Co

How to Get Rid of Bugs on Indoor Plants?

Hi my name is Hank and I am from Denver. I took interest in plants about 4 months ago. I went a got some lights and set up in my basement...now I know I know everyone by this point "knows" what I'm growing, I'm not.. but I love my plants and hate my bugs.. Right now I'm batteling some little gnats of somesort but here is a sildeshow from Nov 27 with gerainums, cucumber, tomato, bay leaves, snap peas, catnip. I hope to grow more plants...but 1st the bugs must go!

https://s366.photobucket.com/albums/oo102/penguplant/?albumview=slideshow

[img]https://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo102/penguplant/Thanksgiving09073.jpg[/img] the larvae on my Basil...

[img]https://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo102/penguplant/Thanksgiving09077.jpg[/img]the adults

[img]https://i366.photobucket.com/albums/oo102/penguplant/1028081925.jpg[/img] their handywork

-Hank

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Kisal
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Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:04 am
Location: Oregon

They look like aphids to me. Even if I'm wrong, though, you can probably get rid of them easily enough. You can wash aphids off by wrapping the plant pot in newspaper or foil to cover the soil (the purpose of the paper is to prevent the soil from falling out), turning the entire plant upside down, and swishing the plant (not the pot) around in water. I use fairly warm/hot, but not boiling, water when I do this.

If that doesn't work, of if you don't want to go to the bother, you can use a product called Safer's Insecticidal Soap. Follow the directions on the package. I've used Safer's Soap for years. You can find recipes online for making various versions of this at home, but if the recipe isn't exactly right, or you make a mistake in some way (even a little mistake), it can kill your plants. I know that because I've done it. :roll: :oops: I find it simpler to just by the commercial product. :D

grannygreenthumb
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Joined: Fri Dec 12, 2008 10:58 pm
Location: Arkansas

I agree they are aphids - black wing aphids in fact - and they can get to be quite an infestation if not controlled. The previous suggestions are good one and if easier, you can just take the plants outside and hose them off with a good stream of water. Be sure to get both the tops and the undersides of the leaves.

I too like the Safer Insecticidal Soap spray but there are several other anti-aphid products available too. Whichever you choose, use it diligently until all signs of them are gone. They multiply like rabbits. ;)

Tdebruycker
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Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 9:11 pm
Location: CT

whatever you choose to use, such as neem oil, make sure you mix with dish washing detergent as well. this will help it to coat the plant.

cynthia_h
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Posts: 7500
Joined: Tue May 06, 2008 7:02 pm
Location: El Cerrito, CA

Careful, there. Detergent is NOT the same as soap. We had a sad message earlier this season from a member who did indeed use dishwashing detergent on his plants, to their destruction.

Make sure you use dishwashing soap (liquid Ivory comes to mind) to help dehydrate these yucky soft-bodied insects.

Cynthia H.
Sunset Zone 17, USDA Zone 9

Tdebruycker
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Joined: Thu Jan 08, 2009 9:11 pm
Location: CT

my apologies there



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