Treatment
You're feeling concerned because some unexpected guests have appeared in your plants. Something is moving around the African violet. A colony of scale insects has settled in the sunroom.
Don't panic. This page outlines a step-by-step pest control treatment. Combining these different treatment methods will maximize your chances of success.
1 - Identification
First and foremost, it's essential to accurately identify the culprit(s). Treatment strategies and techniques vary greatly depending on the issue encountered. Identifying the problem won't be very complicated as long as you know what to look for and where to look. You can confirm your suspicions using the various pest sections in the resources tab.
You also have the option to seek help on our Facebook group or reach out to us via email. In this case, ensure you include clear photos of your different symptoms.
2- Cleaning
Every treatment begins with a thorough cleaning of the foliage and stems of the infested plant. This helps dislodge some of the insects and removes webs, cottony substances, and other residues that may hinder treatment.
A Bit of Housekeeping
If some leaves are dead or severely damaged, you should remove them. Similarly, if some severely affected plants aren't too dear to you, consider discarding or trimming them back. Identifying and eliminating the source of infestation when possible can give you a head start. Dispose of this waste promptly, taking care to avoid spreading the infestation.
Cleaning with Clear Water
The vast majority of pests can be dislodged with a powerful stream of water. Whenever possible, move the plant outdoors and use a hose with a watering nozzle. Clean the entire plant surface, paying particular attention to the stems and both sides of the leaves.
Hand Cleaning
Some plants aren't suitable for cleaning with a water jet. Some are too delicate, and others cannot be moved. You may also lack access to a garden hose or suitable outdoor space. In this case, prepare a solution of black soap and scrub the entire surface of the leaves and stems with a cloth, brush, or toothbrush.
3- Foliar Treatment
Once cleaning is complete, the plants are ready to receive a contact insecticide in the form of a foliar treatment. Natural insecticidal soaps and horticultural oils without chemical active ingredients are excellent options. They are effective while being safe for humans and animals.
Black Soap
Black soap is an extremely versatile product made from natural ingredients. It dissolves the cuticle of insects, causing dehydration. It's available ready to use or as a concentrate. To use concentrated black soap as a foliar treatment, dissolve it at a rate of five tablespoons per liter of warm water. You can also add a tablespoon of 70% isopropyl alcohol to aid dissolution.
Horticultural Oils
Horticultural oils are also very effective. On contact, they clog the insect's pores, causing asphyxiation. They are accessible and affordable. Follow the instructions for foliar treatment.
The Sprayer
A good sprayer makes all the difference in the effectiveness of your foliar treatment. Such a tool will have a telescopic handle allowing you to treat the underside of the leaves without lifting them or contorting yourself. Ensure you use a quality nozzle and adjust it to produce a fine mist rather than large droplets. Your treatment will be successful if you manage to cover 100% of the plant surfaces evenly. If necessary, finish the treatment with a small brush in hard-to-reach areas.
Precautions
Not all plants tolerate contact insecticides. Do not use them on plants with very delicate foliage like ferns and fittonias. Also, avoid use on plants with hairy leaves like African violets, plectranthus, and coleus, as well as plants with pruinose foliage like bromeliads and certain varieties of succulents. We recommend testing the product application on a small area 24 hours before applying it to the entire plant.
4- Predators
You can now deliver the final blow to any pests that have managed to escape previous treatments by introducing natural predators. There's no restriction on introducing natural predators on a plant previously treated with a natural insecticide. Simply wait 48 hours to ensure the different active ingredients have evaporated.
It's generally necessary to carry out a minimum of two predator introductions to ensure good coverage and address different generations of pest insects.
Some situations such as recurrent infestations, those affecting very delicate plants, or large quantities of plants can pose a significant challenge. In these situations, as well as any that limit the feasibility of previous steps, introducing natural predators is an additional measure that can be particularly beneficial.
When you haven't detected any signs of pest presence for eight weeks, you can consider your treatment successful. It's wise to take preventive measures to avoid starting over. Your new friends, the natural predators, can also help you with this.
Happy Treating!