Pests 101: mealybugs, spider mites, fungus gnats (what to do safely)

Plant pests happen—even to careful plant parents. The key is early detection and safe, consistent treatment.

First step (for any pest)

1. Isolate the plant from others.
2. Inspect the plant closely (undersides of leaves, leaf joints, and soil surface).
3. Treat, then re-check every few days.

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Mealybugs

What they look like:

• small white “cottony” clusters
• often in leaf joints or near the stem What to do:

1. Dab visible bugs with a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol.
2. Remove heavily infested leaves if needed.
3. Re-check and repeat every 3–4 days for 2 weeks.

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Spider mites

What they look like:

• very tiny pests (often hard to see)
• fine webbing, dusty-looking leaves, speckled discoloration What to do:

1. Rinse the plant gently (if the plant type allows) and let it dry fully.
2. Improve airflow and avoid overly dry, stagnant conditions.
3. Treat with an appropriate miticide or insecticidal soap (follow label directions), repeating weekly for 2–3 weeks.

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Fungus gnats

What they look like:

• tiny black flies near the soil surface
• larvae live in damp soil What to do:

1. Let soil dry fully between waterings (gnats thrive in consistently damp soil).
2. Use yellow sticky traps to reduce adults.
3. Consider a top-dressing (e.g., coarse sand) and ensure good drainage.

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Safety notes

• Always follow product label instructions.
• Test treatments on a small area first when possible.
• Avoid overwatering during treatment—healthy drainage helps prevent pests and rot.

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