How to get rid of ticks on houseplants? - briefly
Remove the infested plant, wash foliage with a mild soap‑water solution, and apply neem oil or a commercial insecticidal soap to the remaining houseplants at 7‑ to 10‑day intervals. Maintain appropriate watering, reduce excess humidity, and inspect leaves regularly to prevent recurrence.
How to get rid of ticks on houseplants? - in detail
Ticks on indoor foliage appear as tiny, dark specks attached to leaf veins or stems. Early detection relies on regular visual inspection, especially on new acquisitions and plants recently moved outdoors. Remove any visible specimens with a soft brush or cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol; this interrupts feeding and prevents egg laying.
Effective control combines cultural, mechanical, and chemical measures:
- Isolate affected plants for at least two weeks to limit spread.
- Reduce humidity by improving ventilation and avoiding over‑watering; ticks thrive in moist microclimates.
- Trim heavily infested foliage and discard it in sealed bags.
- Apply insecticidal soap according to label directions, ensuring thorough coverage of leaf undersides.
- Use neem‑oil solution (5 ml per litre of water) as a systemic deterrent; repeat every seven days for three applications.
- For severe infestations, consider a horticultural oil spray or a low‑toxicity acaricide such as spinosad; follow safety precautions and avoid contact with edible plants.
After treatment, monitor plants weekly for at least one month. Re‑inspect leaves under bright light; any resurgence warrants a repeat of the mechanical removal step followed by another round of the chosen spray. Maintaining clean pots, sterile potting mix, and regular pruning minimizes future infestations.