What to do if a tick appears on houseplants? - briefly
Isolate the affected plant, gently remove the «tick» with fine tweezers, and apply a thorough wash of insecticidal soap or neem oil to the foliage. Inspect neighboring plants, repeat treatment if necessary, and consider repotting in sterile soil to prevent reinfestation.
What to do if a tick appears on houseplants? - in detail
When a tick is discovered on an indoor plant, immediate action prevents damage to the foliage and reduces the risk of spreading to other specimens. First, isolate the affected plant by moving it away from the rest of the collection. Place the pot on a disposable surface, such as a newspaper, to contain any fallen debris.
Next, remove the parasite manually. Use a pair of fine‑tipped tweezers or a small brush to grasp the tick at the base of its body and pull upward with steady pressure. Deposit the specimen into a sealed container containing rubbing alcohol to ensure rapid death.
After extraction, treat the plant’s soil and leaves. Apply a horticultural insecticide labeled for arachnid control, following the manufacturer’s dosage instructions. For a non‑chemical option, spray a solution of neem oil diluted to 1 % (one part oil to ninety‑nine parts water) on all foliage, ensuring thorough coverage of the undersides where ticks often hide. Allow the soil to dry before watering again.
Finally, implement preventive measures. Inspect new plants before introduction, and quarantine them for at least two weeks. Maintain low humidity levels, as ticks thrive in moist environments. Regularly clean pot trays and surrounding surfaces with a mild detergent solution. Rotate plants periodically to promote air circulation and discourage infestations.