The sticky traps work well to catch adults, but these gnats breed so quickly that some of them tend to be able to lay eggs before getting caught on a trap.
The nuclear option with houseplants is imidacloprid granules. You add the granules to the soil, water the plant, and it gets absorbed by the plant's tissues. Provides protection for a few months and will kill any bugs (gnats, aphids, or otherwise) that feed on or live on the plant.
Do not use this on plants that will be going outside. Imidacloprid is almost too effective for its own good, and will also kill bees and other pollinators. This should be used as a last resort, and for indoor houseplants only!
I don't know how you feel about insecticides but I've had great success with integrating these in the soil.
Every time my outdoor succulent garden gets pot upgrades I refresh the fertilizers and granules. Seems to keep the ants from being able to re colonize in my plants.
Op I am literally begging you to read my comment and give Bonide Systemic granules a try. Please please please.
I have around 100 plants, and the large jug from Amazon is good for a couple treatments of all my plants. I tried peroxide, mosquito bits, cinnamon, bottom watering, vinegar traps, neem, and everything else. But just sitting on my couch and not even trying that hard, I could smack 10-15 gnats to death every hour. They were THICK and it got embarrassing.
Buy Systemic, and put a scant tablespoon on top of the soil for each 4" plant. Slightly heaped tablespoon for 6" plant, and then scale up or down for any other size. Spread it across the soil with a fork or chopstick, and water it in. Do it every two weeks, and I absolutely promise you it'll make a HUGE difference!!! It's also by far the least involved method imo. I take 5-10 minutes to dump a scoop on all the plants in a given room each day, and within a week they're all treated. Then you just water as normal, the granules soak into the soil, and bye-bye gnats. Mine were wiped out fully within 3 treatments, but just the first was a giant improvement.
I wiped them out about 2 years ago, and since then, if I ever start seeing more than 2 or 3 gnats in a week, I do a light treatment and they're gone again. I treat everything new coming in, and it's never been a problem again.
I was so nervous to use the granules bc they're ~ooOOOooOOoo scary chemicals, but they're the only thing that worked. And they eradicated the gnats completely.
By systemic i mean this so yes. I ordered it for the mealybugs, not the mites. I always isolate new plants for a month and do check them but sometimes pests slip through. 🤷♀️
I should have thrown the plants out when i got them because they came in a sorry state because of the way they were packaged by the seller. Tried to get a refund but the seller wanted me to send only one of the 3 plants back for a refund where if there was more damage when they received it they threatened to not refund. So i had to decline their "generosity" and decided to attempt a major rehab. I should have just stuck to the sellers I've had good experiences with because after buying i dug deeper into their reviews and found them littered with the exact same problems i had. Damaged plants and pest infestations. This one is on me for not digging deeper before hand and taking advantage of a "good deal." Won't make that mistake again. Will also isolate twice as long from now on and treat for pests even if i see nothing.
Captain Jack for treating existing pests and Bonide systemic pesticide works very well from keeping those pests from coming back for a couple of months ( doesn’t work on spider mites tho ).
Bonide (BND95349) - Insect Control Systemic Granules, 0.22% Imidacloprid Insecticide (4 lb.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NJKVTZGG2YZ9WCS4H14W
So the picture you’re showing is before you repotted or after you’re potted? This is the stuff you’ll need to get to treat systemically. Now go ahead and remove those dead leaves. They’re necrotic. If they get infected they can make the rest of your plant sick. Dead leaves never recover. So if you see them yellowing remove them. If not the problem just spreads.
Bonide (BND95349) - Insect Control Systemic Granules, 0.22% Imidacloprid Insecticide (4 lb.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_8XXHN77TCZH498Y8WWTT
Always treat systemically. Keep it up and pretreat all plants so sapsuckers stay gone! This is what I use. It’s inexpensive and works so well!!! You can even mix it right into the soil. Then you water plant as usual. Repeat every 6 weeks. Super easy.
Bonide (BND95349) - Insect Control Systemic Granules, 0.22% Imidacloprid Insecticide (4 lb.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_4XH5V8H41DYF9Y2AVT9F
Always remove them with full strength 91% alcohol. Soak the cotton rounds. Then smash the bugs and throw into a plastic grocery bag. Toss in outside garbage can. Then change the soil!!!!! They lay eggs and the life cycle starts all over again in hiding. I bet if you dump the soil you’ll find tons of these on your roots and within the soil all over. Then inspect closely and remove anything every single day for 5-10 days with a Q-top! Be diligent or they will come back. THEN You need to treat/pretreat for sapsucking pests like these with Bonide systemic granules. It is the ONLY thing that will help prevent them from coming back. You sprinkle it in the new soil, water it and forget it about it. Repeat in a few weeks. After that first treatment you shouldn’t see them again or ever! But you must keep treating systemically every 6 weeks after that. Here is a link to the best deal on Amazon and where I buy mine. If you do what I say I swear they’ll never come back. But change your soil medium where they lay the eggs!!! That’s why they keep coming back! u/PushyTom
Bonide (BND95349) - Insect Control Systemic Granules, 0.22% Imidacloprid Insecticide (4 lb.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_E5B7KMS8RVA3WV94DPW3
You need to treat it for pests as well. Something is eating tiny holes in it. Other than that I agree with ZZ PLANT, do not water often, when you do it won’t need a lot of water, indirect light, slow grower but steady. Keep it isolated until you treat it and get rid of the little guys eating holes in it. I believe it is a sapsucker. So treating systemically would be best. I use Bonide systemic granules. Super easy to use. Sprinkle it on the top of soil. Water the soil and forget about it. Then you will have to repeat every 6 weeks. Here is a link to the best deal online.
Bonide (BND95349) - Insect Control Systemic Granules, 0.22% Imidacloprid Insecticide (4 lb.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_YFZBJQQM8P4FCTYFNXSH?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
First off Love your screen name LOL
NOW onto these plants. What pests did you find in or on these? If they’re infested why are they next to and above other plants? It’s time to quarantine while you treat. Girl if they have bugs now your other plant do too.
Step two. You need to remove the dead leaves and dead debri from plant pot. They eat that stuff and lay eggs there. At the first signs of damage, scarring putting holes etc they need to be removed and put in a plastic grocery bag. Tied up nice and tight and tossed in the outside garbage. So you don’t reintroduced I’m not sure if you know it but most of them lay their eggs right in the plant leafs. That’s why they look the way they do. If not in the soil itself. Did you repot with fresh soil? Now to continue treating.
If it is or even if it isn’t I’d start treating systemically. I swear by it as most household pests are sapsuckers and the hardest to get rid of. I use Bonide systemic granules. But Bonide makes lots of fabulous products. Super easy to use and long lasting. They’re slow release. You sprinkle on top soil, water the plant and leave for 6 weeks. Every time you water they release their formula. Great product!
Bonide (BND95349) - Insect Control Systemic Granules, 0.22% Imidacloprid Insecticide (4 lb.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_PKNHWMM54ZNH6MPWHG74?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Be more specific . What keeps happening to you? Dying leafs or?
Here is the link to get the Bonide systemic granules. It’s the cheapest place to get the largest container and free shipping.
Bonide (BND95349) - Insect Control Systemic Granules, 0.22% Imidacloprid Insecticide (4 lb.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_BFDCT74C8NCDCPPGPD93?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Your welcome. Try Bonide systemic granules too. Much more effective and doesn’t create fungus. They slowly dissolve so they last longer. You sprinkle, water and forget about them. Reapply 6 weeks later. Plus they work on over 65 additional pests and all sap suckers! You’ll never see fungus gnats again! Cheapest place to get them is Amazon. Give them a try and you’ll never want to use anything else.
Bonide (BND95349) - Insect Control Systemic Granules, 0.22% Imidacloprid Insecticide (4 lb.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_ZDARXHCNWGKCJMHD94SV?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I’m sorry to hear that. But I know it can be frustrating. This is what will keep them from reoccurring and give you some relief. Just sprinkle, water plant, repeat in 6 weeks. Eliminates over 65 pests and all sap suckers. Which is what these bugs are. Try not to give up! Good luck friend.
Amazon is the best route to take to get this stuff. Best price for this amount and free shipping! It will last you over a year. Works great. Bonide products are wonderful. The granules are slow release and have no run off from a potted plant!
Bonide (BND95349) - Insect Control Systemic Granules, 0.22% Imidacloprid Insecticide (4 lb.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_W980JF3TPTP89NQMMANQ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Nope. Not mosquito bits. Totally different. You’ll love Bonide systemic granules! Trust me! Those mosquito bits have nothing on this stuff. That stuff only treats one bug. It doesn’t always work and only treats the adults. Like I said this stuff, it’s GREAT! It’s an internal protection and treats over 65 SIXTY FIVE PESTS at all stages of their life cycle. TRUST ME PLEASE. To everyone who sees this & uses systemic granules back me up by a vote or testimonial.
Here is a link to the cheapest place to buy it on the internet. Sprinkle a spoon full on the top soil and every time you repot sprinkle a few spoon fulls into the soil too. It slowly releases when you water the plant over the next few weeks.
Bonide (BND95349) - Insect Control Systemic Granules, 0.22% Imidacloprid Insecticide (4 lb.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_KW3ZK4H0R910QZYDF5YW?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
Don’t dilute the alcohol. It evaporates and won’t hurt the plant at all. Quit putting peppermint soap on your plants. I’ll never understand that. Also make sure if any plant is infested you treat all of them. Also treat systemically. They’re coming back over and over again for a reason. Buy Bonide systemic granules and continue to use them. Set the reminder on your phone and retreat every six weeks. Over and over and over and never ever skip. They’ll stop coming back.
Cheapest place to buy right here on Amazon and free shipping. Buy it! Do it! Great investment. TREAT EVERY PLANT EVERY 6 WEEKS!!! NO ACCEPT-IONS!
Bonide (BND95349) - Insect Control Systemic Granules, 0.22% Imidacloprid Insecticide (4 lb.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_GQ8FTN8X6273AT6JAMQB?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
It does have bugs crawling around? I’m not an expert but that’s more than likely fungus gnats like I had too. Google has lots of info on them.
Personally I removed the infected plants from their planters, I removed all dirt and rinsed their roots, I repotted them after cleaning the planters or used new bigger planters, and also treated for gnats in the new planters.
My sister recommended stuff called Bonide. I used their outdoor product even though my plants are indoor. But they have indoor labeled product too. All you have to do is sprinkle the needed amount on top of your potting mix and the plants absorb it through their roots. It makes the plant poisonous to fungus gnats for X weeks. So the gnat larva all die.
This is the stuff I used: Bonide (BND95349) - Insect Control Systemic Granules, 0.22% Imidacloprid Insecticide (4 lb.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_4JEHKK589WDH10TH1JJT?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
i use this to clear thrips out, works great. if you want to go nuclear get some captain jack's dead bug brew, spray that to kill the adults and the bonide will kill the young ones when they come out
I'm not sure about the coffee rust (I'm new to coffee, but maybe a fungicide?)
The insects sound like mealybugs. Pain in the butt! But treatable. :) The first general product I'd recommend to kill them is neem oil. You can buy it pre-mixed, or you can get concentrate and mix it up in a spray bottle (Cheaper and lasts longer). Spray the whole plant in the shower - EVERY inch of it. Soak it. Let it sit overnight, and then rinse in the morning. You'll have to do this once a week for a few weeks to get any that might have been missed.
If that doesn't work, you can try horticultural oil. But the big guns are these systemic insect control granules that actually treat the plant from the inside and make the plant toxic for the mealybugs to consume, eradicating them. The only caveat is that you should keep the plant away from kids or animals that might chew the leaves while it's active.
I have had plants with this problem. You wind up spraying so many chemicals it eventually kills the plant because it damages the leaves. The only thing that worked for me was system insecticide granules. You pour a bunch on the soil and water it and the plant absorbs the poison and the mealy bugs all die. https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glt_fabc_PAD5CYC9JHF448568GMS?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
that's what i would go with personally, aphids are pretty hard to get rid of by just washing them off since they like to go way down into crevices. there's also stuff like this you can get for long-term use, it dissolves into the water when you water the plant, it drinks it up and the bugs get poisoned and die when they try to munch the plant
They have changed packaging. I will link for u! There’s a smaller size too. 😁
Bonide (BND95349) - Insect Control Systemic Granules, 0.22% Imidacloprid Insecticide (4 lb.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_WZAKS9M4C3K9FD2NWP36?psc=1
I had a really bad problem with fungus gnats last summer... they would fly in front of my face while I was sitting on the couch and they drove me CRAZY. Things I have used and didn’t work or solve the problem completely: -Mosquito dunks -Yellow sticky traps -Hydrogen peroxide -Lined the top layer with coco choir -Apple cider gnat traps -Soap gnat traps
Then I decided to try this systemic off of Amazon along with yellow sticky traps. It seems to have been the most useful in terms of stopping their life cycle. Make sure you apply to EVERY plant in your home. Be diligent as well as applying to new plants you bring in your home.
Bonide (BND95349) - Insect Control Systemic Granules, 0.22% Imidacloprid Insecticide (4 lb.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_3GSHTG2YCG5CWE7CAHSR?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I know you mentioned not using insecticide but I found these granules that you feed to the plant in early spring and it makes the Japanese Beatles not touch the leaves! It's called: Bonide (BND95349) - Insect Control Systemic Granules, 0.22% Imidacloprid Insecticide
Edit to say sorry it's not for edible plants
Here is a link to it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_glc_fabc_EYTWWD0Q03991NXMZ13G?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I've gotten rid of them using a sort of two-pronged attack, I sprayed all of the affected ones once a week with the Captain Jack's dead bug brew, and I also sprinkled these bonide granules in the soil and watered them with that, so you're killing both the adults and any of the larvae that will hatch. Just be very careful not to overwater your plants this way, wait until they need watered to water those granules in. You only have to use them once every 3 months or so.
This is what I used. It is actually the only time in 30+ years of houseplanting that I used any toxic pesticide like that but I could not get rid of the thrips and they were in multiple plants.
I've been using two different types of pesticides to get rid of them on some of my begonias. These granules go in the soil, the plant sucks it up through the water and they all die when they try to feed off it, and then just in case I spray with captain jack's once a week for about a month or so to get any of the adults I missed.
The granules are a systemic so if you have reoccurring problems with them you can just reapply it every few months.
I've had thrips on some of my bigger-leaved plants and begonias before. I use this Bonide systemic in the soil, and also the Jack's spray once a week for at least a few weeks just in case (every couple days is probably excessive imo). It doesn't hurt to use the Bonide granules every few months or so (whatever it says on the label, I forget) as a preventative.
Diatomaceous earth won't have any effect on thrips since they don't go into the soil at all typically.
I use Bonide Systemic Granules. I refresh this in my pots every 8 weeks but have known to go a bit longer. I haven’t had any issues with mealies since I started using this a couple of years ago (cross my fingers 🤞🏻)
I did buy this stuff in December and I think it's helped. I had a hoya that was COVERED, so I cleaned all of the trailing parts with alcohol, and then sprinkled this on the soil. I just watch for any new ones and sprinkle extra periodically if I had to clean a couple extra bugs off.
There’s a great thread around here somewhere with the gospel on killing fungus gnats. Here’s the summary—works like a charm—
1) sticky traps 2) let everything dry out for as long as humanly possible. Bottom water if you must 3) Bonide granules
https://www.amazon.com/Systemic-Granules-22-4-lb/dp/B000BWZ9U8
Consider getting something like this and mix some into the soil a few times a year. It protects against aphids, mealybugs, and thrips. It's probably not completely foolproof so I would still keep an eye on the plant and examine it for bugs once in awhile, but I didn't have a single one of those bugs for three months after I mixed it into my plants - now that it's wore off, I've found thrips on three plants this week. So it does work, at least.
Also an easy way to get rid of mealybugs, take a q-tip or cotton swab with rubbing alcohol on it and swipe the bugs off and then swipe the rest of the leaves top and bottom for any eggs. In my experience they're the easiest to get rid of if you catch them early since they're easily visible.
You can get gnatrol instead of mosquito dunks which is BTI concentrate too but designed for use on plants for gnats instead of in bodies of water for mosquitoes. https://www.organicbti.com/product-page/gnatrol-bti-omri-organic-fungus-gnat-larvicide
Although for houseplants honestly I recommend using imidacloprid systemic pesticide in granular form. You can get it from Bonide on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Systemic-Granules-22-4-lb/dp/B000BWZ9U8
Not only will imidacloprid kill all your fungus gnats and any other soil borne pest it will kill every single thing else besides armored scale & spider mites. I seriously can't recommend it high enough. It lasts 90 days and kills everything from aphids, thrips, whiteflies, you name it. I use it on all my indoor plants as a preventative and it works extremely well. It actually works too well for its own good & will kill bees too so do not use it on outdoor flowering plants.
The active ingredient in mosquito bits is BTI (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) which is a live bacteria that selectively targets the larvae of fungus gnats and mosquitos and a couple similar bugs. It won't kill adults but they only live for 3-5 days so they will all disappear on their own shortly after the larvae die.
You can also buy BTI in a more concentrated form designed specifically for use on plants with fungus gnats here: https://www.organicbti.com/product-page/gnatrol-bti-omri-organic-fungus-gnat-larvicide
It's $10 for 1oz, $15 for 2oz or $22 for 4oz. 1 oz of Gnatrol concentrate will make 4 gallons at the active pest control rate of 3 tsps per gallon.
Since it's an active bacteria it does have a relatively short expiration date. The current batch they are selling expires on Jan 31 2022 so don't buy more than you would use before then. It is really effective so you probably won't need much. You also only have to wet the top 2" of soil with the solution not the whole pot.
Edit: Although for houseplants honestly I recommend using imidacloprid systemic pesticide in granular form. You can get it from Bonide on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Systemic-Granules-22-4-lb/dp/B000BWZ9U8
Not only will imidacloprid kill all your fungus gnats and any other soil borne pest it will kill every single thing else besides armored scale & spider mites. I seriously can't recommend it high enough. It lasts 90 days and kills everything from aphids, thrips, whiteflies, you name it. I use it on all my indoor plants as a preventative and it works extremely well. It actually works too well for its own good & will kill bees too so do not use it on outdoor flowering plants.
Ugh, root mealies are the worst! I used to really struggle with them. Now I put a little bit of Bonide Systemic Granules in every pot.
Just to clarify that site sells gnatrol (BTI) which kills fungus gnats and also sells miticides for spider mites but BTI won't affect mites.
Gnatrol (BTI): https://www.organicbti.com/product-page/gnatrol-bti-omri-organic-fungus-gnat-larvicide
3-pack of avid, forbid and floramite: https://www.organicbti.com/product-page/forbid-avid-and-floramite-spider-mite-treatment-program-inc-top-3-miticides
Also on indoor plants I highly recommend using imidacloprid which is a systemic that lasts 90 days and kills everything except spider mites and armored scale. It will kill soil borne pests like fungus gnats too. It controls and prevents aphids, thrips, mealybugs, whiteflies, soft scale you name it. If used on flowering outdoor plants it can harm bees and hummingbirds. It is safe to use on outdoor flowering plants when you bring them in for winter to kill any hitchhikers and will have dissipated by spring. You can get it on Amazon from Bonide here: https://www.amazon.com/Systemic-Granules-22-4-lb/dp/B000BWZ9U8
Or if you have a ton of plants Marathon brand is more expensive up front but much cheaper per treatment: https://www.domyown.com/ohp-marathon-granular-p-10221.html
I wrote a guide for pest control recently, it's posted here if you want to take a look https://www.reddit.com/r/plantclinic/comments/j38gsm/pesticides_101_how_to_effectively_treat_most/
Sure. Regular old bonide
They also have a “houseplant version,” but my theory is that it’s the same thing for more money because it’s for “houseplants” although I can’t confirm this. Here’s a link anyway.
I just sprinkle it on the top layer. If I repot, I’ll mix like spoonful in to the top layer just for good measure. But I’ve had good luck with this. It takes a little while to kick in. Plant has to absorb it, then distribute it to its branches and leaves, and then the pests have to eat it. But it’s supremely reduced my fungus gnats and works really well on mealy bugs. I haven’t had issues with thrips or scale bugs but supposedly it works on them as well.
But be advised, this is only for decorative plants indoors or outdoors. You cannot use this on any herbs, vegetables or fruits. It will also increase the toxicity of the plant if you have house pets or kids that eat your plants. So just be cautious of that before you use it.
If you do have pets, I’ve heard that diatomaceous soil works well for fungus gnats and then you can fight the good fight with neem oil, but it takes so long, is a ton of work. And a spoonful of the systemic insecticide works better faster. And frankly, my plants are purely decorative. I don’t care if they’re organic or not.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_V703RHH5C7KXB77GJ8S2
Maybe there are different types. This one has it
if you're in the US, try this. if youre feeling extra you can also use it in combination with captain jacks, but the granules should do it on their own. its poison, plant sucks it up through the water, pests eat the plant and get poisoned, they die. the likely reason you only seem to have them on one plant is that's the tastiest one available. eventually they will probably spread out, but it seems to me that like people, pests will go for the tastiest food first and they dont want whatever else you're serving
if you're in the US, ive used these two products as a combo to get rid of thrips a number of times. works fantastically. bonide granules, and captain jack's bug brew. the bonide is a systemic so the plant sucks it up and when pests try to munch on it they eat the poison. the bug brew kills the live ones on the surface to prevent them from flying off to other plants (they do fly)
Well, your pesticide isn’t working. You have pests. Or you did before you started using it. I’m sorry. Also you’re using way far too much. Spot halt freeze! Give this poor plant a break. It’s also dormancy season. Right now I suggest repotting it with fresh soil, sprinkle some Bonide systemic granules in the soil before potting up the plant, then wipe all those leaves down with alcohol soaked cotton rounds, then water less often(maybe add 2-3 days to usual watering schedule), use slow release plant food pebbles during the winter only. Longterm,Reuse Bonide granules every 6 weeks. Only use one type of plant food during dormant months. Or you can give the plants root burn or the salts from the plant food builds up too quickly since the water doesn’t evaporate quick enough and growth is stunted due to shorter days and less sunlight. That sometimes causes the roots to sit in water longer or soil to go fungal. This in turns causes root rot or bacterial infections. But it does clearly look to me like you have thrips. Or did recently since you say you are now treating the plant with some type of pesticide. However, did you know some types of plant foods attract them? Especially nitrogen rich foods? So if you’ve been loading this plant up with plant food and making this plant taste yummy for them you may have made it a target for pests. Have you ever heard of Bonide systemic granules? It’s a win win for you my friend. I also highly suggest a cheapy water meter of Amazon for $6 Here’s the link to get the Bonide granules. Super affective stuff and will not harm the plant. It’s nothing like what you’ve been using. It’s photo safe. The plant absorbs the ingredients through its roots and becomes bitter tasting to everything. Either they steer clear of it or die from the first nibble. It’s attacks their nervous system and keeps them from having babies. If there are any larvae or eggs already implanted in the plant it will kill them as well!! Win win! Great stuff!
Bonide (BND95349) - Insect Control Systemic Granules, 0.22% Imidacloprid Insecticide (4 lb.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_8N3JC45BNYZKQ43VBKKF
When is the last time you have repotted them? I’d repot into a nursery pot. Better drainage. Use chunkier soil and add perlite and big chunks of orchid bark. I didn’t see one speckle of white perlite or pumice pieces at all in the soil. It looks very dark and almost solid. Very hard to tell in pictures. However this is common to happen in the type of plant pot you have them in. Terracotta clay pots are very porous. They absorb a lot or most of the water. Over time this can make the soil get compacted. It settles differently in a shorter time frame than others I’ve found. Most definitely if the soil doesn’t have perlite & orchid bark in it. It just isn’t aery enough. The roots need to breathe and probably just need to stretch out a bit. Soil might be solid. Once you repot you can set the nursery pot back into this plant pot if you prefer the way it looks. But scrub thoroughly with vinegar and let air dry for days so it is dried out completely. You must do that every so often with the terracotta pots.
Now you said you don’t give them plant food. I would. It helps. They may also need macro nutrients if you don’t give them any. Every now and then they need it. My philos and pothos can live without it but man do they get happy when I do give them something special. I even water them with distilled water. They love it.
Also, it’s dormancy season and not to mention we will use the heat every now and then. The plants will react to that. They’re gonna drop a few of the older leaves. No biggy. It’s the droopy leaves that concern me.
Also,Checking for pests can be tricky. I know you said you didn’t “see” any. However some only come out at night to eat and or lay their eggs! 🤢 So, you may still have pests and not know it. The drooping is the sign of pests sap sucking the life out of the plant. Now I’m going to step out on a limb and say if you don’t give them plant food you probably aren’t pretreating for pests. So this could be the problem. I wouldn’t rule it out. Now a great way to treat sapsuckers and most household pests found on your plants would be to use Bonide systemic granules. Here is a link to purchase them. It’s the best deal I’ve found yet. Super easy to use. Sprinkle them on the top soil, water the plant soaking the granules to start them dissolving, walk away. Water plant like normal. Repeat treatment in 6 weeks. Super easy.
Bonide (BND95349) - Insect Control Systemic Granules, 0.22% Imidacloprid Insecticide (4 lb.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_K7PAM1W29XZZKHRNYMJY
You WILL see them on your other plants. They’re there. Just not in adult form yet. Trust me. Please don’t listen to the lady that said treat with soap. Jesus rolling my eyes. Now the folks who said alcohol put me in that category. We know what we are taking about. You’ll also need to retreat. They’ll be back in a few days as the life cycle continues. Smash the bugs then dip cotton rounds in straight 91% alcohol and rub the stalk from the bottom upwards! Then throw those cotton rounds into a plastic grocery bag. Then use fresh cotton rounds and wipe under the leaves and do it again! Throw those away in the bag. Then repeat on top of the leaves. Then go this again in 5 days. Keep plant quarantined. After a week repot with fresh soil or they’ll keep coming back. Don’t panic you’ll probably find them full grown, eggs and larvae pupa in the soil attached to the roots. Go outside and spray off the roots once you’ve shaken off the soil into a plastic grocery bag. Tie up tightly and throw away outside. Spray the hell out of those roots withe straight alcohol. Pick off full sized adult bugs and SMASH THEM! I repay SMASH! You don’t want them getting into your yard or other plants. So don’t just dump the soil in your yard. Bag it and send away with the garbage!! Don’t ask how I know. Just trust me and do it. If you do it this way I promise you they will not come bag. Now to the very most important part. YOU MUST START TO TREAT SYSTEMICALLY IMMEDIATELY & CONTINUE TO TREAT SYSTEMICALLY! You must do this to this plant and start treating all plants systemically immediately. Luckily it’s not expensive and it works! It takes about a week to start working that’s why I said you’ll have to do the other part again within a week as the life cycle continues. But if you do once the larvae hatch and start bubbling this stuff will kill them and the adults too and they will not be able to reproduce anymore! It will also prevent them from reproducing or spreading to other plants. But you need to take preventative measures. I guarantee you this isn’t the only plant infected even if it’s the only plant you see adults on. Okay. So it’s time to get Bonide Systemic Granules. Super easy to use. Sprinkle onto top soil, water the plant, continue to water like normal and they gradually melt into the soil. Repeat when you repot. Water immediately. Then repeat in 6 weeks and then forget about it. I set my phone alarm as a reminder on my calendar. I do this religiously and have never had another problem. Here’s a link to Amazon where you can buy them and it’s free shipping. This will last you for a year or more. Cover the top soil of infected plants liberally. This will not hurt your plant at all! Oh and it will get rid of all fungus gnats and over 65 household pests. Trust me and do it!!!
Bonide (BND95349) - Insect Control Systemic Granules, 0.22% Imidacloprid Insecticide (4 lb.) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_NANQ4CZ5D59QSC6SB78B?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
I ended up not using systemic granules so I'm not sure. I hear systemic is not good for pets so I opted to not use it as I have a dog. I think Captain Jack's is safe for pets, but not okay for bees.
Get a systemic as both a preventative for all new plants (and old) and to treat your older plants. I would hold off on getting any new plants until the situation is under control ... I’ve had a mealy bug problem for OVER A YEAR and I’m just NOW getting them under control. Adding the systemic worked wonders! Some of my plants are pest free but some others are still affected.
Steps to my pest free system (eventually)
Bonide (BND95349) - Insect... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BWZ9U8?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Rubbing alcohol for pests on surface (whenever you see a bug/pest!)
Neem oil & water solution 1x week
Organic Neem Bliss 100% Pure Cold Pressed Neem Seed Oil 32 oz - OMRI Listed for Organic Use https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071DV3BLY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_NPeXQ3lxrV7CD
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00364PEFS?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I also spray the soil surface with rubbing alcohol
The measurements were kind of confusing to me at first so I did about a teaspoon for a 4” pot and scaled up from there.
Either imidacloprid which is what I recommend since it kills everything else too besides spider mites & hard scale & lasts for 90 days. Or if you only want to kill the gnats you can use BTI but instead of using the mosquito bits everyone always recommends you should use Gnatrol which is actually designed for use on plants, more concentrated and actually cheaper.
Imidacloprid lasts 90 days and is an awesome preventative, I use it on all my houseplants. Kills aphids, thrips, whiteflies, mealybugs, fungus gnats, seriously you name it. Kills bees too so keep it indoors.
Imidacloprid: https://www.amazon.com/Systemic-Granules-22-4-lb/dp/B000BWZ9U8
If you have a lot of plants this is a lot cheaper per application it's just more expensive up front since it's 5lbs at 1% (bonide is 4lbs 0.2%): https://www.organicbti.com/product-page/gnatrol-bti-omri-organic-fungus-gnat-larvicide
Gnatrol (BTI): https://www.organicbti.com/product-page/gnatrol-bti-omri-organic-fungus-gnat-larvicide
If you want to know how to actually kill anything else I wrote a whole guide on houseplant pest control: https://www.organicbti.com/product-page/gnatrol-bti-omri-organic-fungus-gnat-larvicide
Looks like mealybugs. Rubbing alcohol and q-tips are your friends for the ones that are visible. I also used this stuff in the soil periodically and it's helped mine!