Help! Bizarre, soil dwelling houseplant pest
dontmather
4 years ago
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rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Do I have to treat soil of houseplants for insects?
Comments (8)"If you can't tell, I'm not one of those organic gardeners." I think we can tell, minnamouse. ;-) I'm not entirely sure what you mean by 'one of those organic gardeners', but I think we should make some things perfectly clear. Many pesticides, including so called organic chemicals, are highly toxic to other organisms than insects. One only has to do a simple 30 second search on the active ingredients of these branded products to find out exactly how they should and should NOT be used. Does that make me one of 'those organic gardeners'? Short term and long term side effects can be quite devastating to those exposed. Though these chemicals are accompanied by detailed labels that users are supposed to read carefully and follow....it is obvious that they are oftentimes ignored. You are a good example of that kind of consumer, one of many thousands who abuse and misuse pesticides. Isotox is another chemical that should never be used inside....even when dry! The fumes and residual effects are long lasting. The labels are there for several reasons, the primary one of which is to protect the consumer, the household members, visitors, and pets. Each and every one of us has the responsibility to practice common sense safety precautions when it comes to pesticide use. Yes, this even applies to you 'NON-organic types'. Even more so, actually. The careless use of toxic chemicals can affect your children, grand children, visitors to your home who may be very young or old or pregnant or trying to mother or father a child, or taking medication that effects liver function, etc. I urge you to take a responsible amount of time to read and understand the directions of the products you use. You can always avail yourself of the toll free information number that can be found on the label. At the very least, you shouldn't recommend pest control methods until you know for certain that they are reasonably safe. You could be doing someone serious harm. And that just ain't right!...See Morehouseplant pests under the microscope
Comments (14)That's scary about the bat bite killing the little girl. I never thought of it biting us in our sleep but this little guy was about as big as my thumb or smaller -- and his teeth were barely visible so it's no surprise she did not feel it's bite. The cat found a country cousin of my mouse visitor. Needless to say, that one was not released. I wish those darn hammar traps worked but my guys are so little that they get the PB w/o setting off the trap. I really wonder what type of mice these are. I referred to it as a field mouse but this is incorrect. All four that we have seen in the past 5 months or so have had an oblong body about the size of my thumb, small ears, small eyes, a slender face, and long tail. They are not eating any human food (or dog or cat food for that matter). I don't know what they ARE eating just that they aren't in any of my food. I keep imagining some gigantic rodent will make himself visible one of these days -- did you ever see Steve King's NightShift?!?!?!? LOL BTW the cat stays in the basement -- otherwise, being a ferral cat, he'd be an excellent mouser. Too bad the mice aren't afraid of dogs -- we've got three and they're useless (for rodent control)....See MoreHelp Identifying Houseplant Pest
Comments (3)The bugs are mostly seen crawling, not flying, yet can jump when disturbed. My preliminary thoughts were thrips, aphids, or springtails. Also, they are normally found in the soil/pot, not on the plant itself. I'm reluctant to begin using a systemic routine, however that's slowly becoming a preferred route....See MoreTiny insects/soil mites in houseplant - Please Help Identify!
Comments (3)Dry it out. e.g.: Decrease watering. Reduce humidity. Increase temperature. Set out a fan to circulate the air....See MoreLiz (Virginia z6b)
4 years agorina_Ontario,Canada 5a
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4 years agogdinieontarioz5
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4 years agorina_Ontario,Canada 5a
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agogdinieontarioz5
4 years agorina_Ontario,Canada 5a
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agogdinieontarioz5
4 years agorhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
4 years agoewwmayo
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4 years agoorganelle
4 years ago
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Kara 9b SF Bay Area CA