
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 26, 1995                   TAG: 9501260082
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-7   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: JOE HUNNINGS
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

SOME WAYS TO CONTROL PESTS ON FOLIAGE, HOUSEPLANTS|

Although there are only five major groups of insect and mite pests on houseplants, they are very difficult to control and highly persistent, once established. The many varieties of houseplants are susceptible or sensitive to pests to varying degrees.

To increase your chances of successfully controlling houseplant pests, follow these three steps:

Step 1. Be able to recognize at least the major insect and mite pests that attack foliage plants: Aphids, mealybugs, scale insects, whiteflies and spider mites.

Step 2. Prevent the introduction of pests into the home or existing plant specimen arrangements. Buy or propagate only pest-free plants and keep new plants separated from other plants for four to six weeks to see if any pest problems develop. Carefully inspect all plants at least weekly for signs of insects and mites.

Step 3. If a plant is found to be infested with insects or mites, isolate the plant from other plants until all evidence of infestation is eliminated, which may be several weeks or more. Correctly identify the pest and determine and apply appropriate control measures.

Control measures

There are three general methods for treating infested plants: Physical removal or washing; general purpose, ready-to-use sprays; and chemical concentrates for preparing spray mixtures.

Physical removal includes picking off caterpillars, slugs and other larger pests. Another method is to swab pests with a small brush or cotton swab moistened with rubbing alcohol. This method is feasible when plants are small and infestations very light. It is tedious and must be done once a week over a period of time.

Plants also can be washed in a diluted mixture of water and true soap or insecticidal soap, or gently spray-washed with lukewarm water. Repeated washings over a period of time are necessary to gradually reduce infestations.

If the infestation is severe, it may be preferable to discard the plant and replace it rather than attempt chemical control.

Ready-to-use sprays are available from garden stores, but they must be labeled for use on houseplants. Never use an aerosol intended for other household spraying. Read the label instructions carefully, including all precautions.

Some sprays are effective only for certain insects or certain stages of insects, but will not control other stages of insects or mites. Some contain only a miticide or a mixture of a miticide and insecticide. For example, whiteflies are very difficult to control with some standard sprays, but quite readily controlled with others especially labeled for whiteflies. Be sure to follow directions.

There are many individual products on the market. Be sure to read the label to determine which one to use. Chemical concentrations are available to mix with water for application with a hand sprayer or mixer. Insecticides or miticides are available separately or in mixtures. Insecticides generally do not control mites, and miticides do not control insects. Only the appropriate pesticide is needed; the wrong one will not be effective.

Insecticides and miticides available for ornamental plants in the landscape may be effective for certain pests on houseplants. However, few are labeled for houseplant use, and foliage and houseplants may be injured by the sprays, because their sensitivity to pesticides varies widely.

The safest approach is to use a given pesticide only for the uses specified on the label. Also, look for precautions and warnings of plant injury. Avoid using the chemicals indoors, and make sure that you mix only the amount needed so that you do not pour any down the drain.

by CNB