Bringing Plants and not Pests Indoors

greenthumbomaha · October 10, 2015

In about a week it will be time to take the container plants inside to a spare room. I've got Lantana , Geraniums, the Rio Mandevilla and a Dahlia for some cheery color for our long winter. Edibles and herbs coming in are Rosemary curry and lavender and a pepper.

I picked up a large clay pot of rare geraniums and there were ants on the sidewalk and they were biters. I take cuttings throughout the winter so I'd like to use a pesticide on them. I'm suspicious of the remaining plants too. Any suggestions on what has worked for you to rid the soil of pests and eggs without a harsh smell.

- Lisa

DonnaMarieNJ · October 11, 2015

I have numerous plants that I bring indoors to overwinter. A few years ago, in mid January, I noticed small worm-type bugs crawling out of the soil of my topical plants every time I watered. Once the water seeped down, the critters burrowed under the soil again, disappearing out of sight. It was mid-winter - I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what the critters were and I couldn't repot the plant inside the house. I suffered through that winter waiting for just to find the perfect moment I could get rid of them. The moment the weather became warmer, I carried that plant, and all the others, outside and soaked every plant in a bucket of water for a few days, drowning the bugs. Some floated to the top and some crawled up the plant for air (which I promptly killed). Now, I do this every season BEFORE bringing the plants inside. This won't kill everything, of course, but it helped me in my situation. The weather has to be just right for this. Not too cold overnight for the drowning and when you are certain the critters are gone, the plant must drain before you bring it back into the house. Then you can bring the plants safely back into the house again.
i will check for more information when I wake up in the AM

Cole_Robbie · October 11, 2015

Larvae in soil can be killed with mosquito dunks. Let them soak overnight or more in the water you give the plant. They are harmless BT bacteria. There are also other kinds of beneficial nematodes that do the same thing. You'll need to treat the plant with several waterings, to make sure you are getting the new eggs that hatch out.

greenthumbomaha · October 11, 2015

I know several people that had the same experience as DonnaMarie in mid winter and that's why it's important to be proactive NOW if there are plants being brought inside. Its dangerous to use some pesticides indoors so you are stuck with a constant bug problem all winter the way DonnaMarie unfortunately was.

I've used BT for fungus gnats with limited success. I don't know if its broad spectrum enough to take on anything that is hiding in there , especially, in my case those ants.

Are the nematodes effective against only certain specific pests or do they go after a variety of creepy and winged things? Any chemical options besides BT?

- Lisa

RayR · October 11, 2015

I've never had a fungus gnat problem but I watch out for spider mites and aphids when bringing plants indoors. I recently had to wipe out spider mites on my daughters miniature rose plant.

Cole_Robbie · October 11, 2015

I just ordered this product:
http://www.amazon.com/Pyes-Scanmask-...ords=nematodes
These microscopic insects will seek out and destroy over 230 kinds of soil dwelling and wood boring insects. Will not affect humans, animals, or plants

For anything above ground, Hot-Shot No-Pest Strips are very effective. They are, however, a very harsh chemical pesticide. Use with caution.

DonnaMarieNJ · October 11, 2015

The Hot-Shot must be "very harsh" - it is restricted in NJ!

greenthumbomaha · October 12, 2015

Interesting nematode product with hundreds of favorable reviews. I have never seen it before. Beats the heck out of having fungus gnats getting loose and trying to fly into your mouth all winter (thanks to Miracle Grow Organic Potting Soil a few years back).

- Lisa

Cole_Robbie · October 12, 2015

Fungus gnat larvae eat roots. The damage is typically displayed as nutrient deficiencies. The roots are also more subject to disease entering in the damaged areas.

You can also get rid of them by placing an inch of sand, perlite, or vermiculite at the top of your media, then bottom-watering, trying to keep the top dry. If the top inch of media stays dry, their eggs won't hatch.

DonnaMarieNJ · October 12, 2015

the nematodes product - can you use it indoors, on herbs? How often do you apply? I only have a small watering can for indoor use. In the winter, I usually only have about 10 plants indoors.

Cole_Robbie · October 12, 2015

It should be fine to use indoors. It's non-toxic.

As for frequency, you could look at the life cycle of whatever you think you have. Most larvae is like two weeks I think. I'd use it once a week for a month of so, in order to get the new eggs that hatch out.

clkeiper · October 13, 2015

soapy water drench and spray.

October 10, 2015	#1
greenthumbomaha Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Omaha Zone 5 Posts: 2,514	Bringing Plants and not Pests Indoors In about a week it will be time to take the container plants inside to a spare room. I've got Lantana , Geraniums, the Rio Mandevilla and a Dahlia for some cheery color for our long winter. Edibles and herbs coming in are Rosemary curry and lavender and a pepper. I picked up a large clay pot of rare geraniums and there were ants on the sidewalk and they were biters. I take cuttings throughout the winter so I'd like to use a pesticide on them. I'm suspicious of the remaining plants too. Any suggestions on what has worked for you to rid the soil of pests and eggs without a harsh smell. - Lisa

October 11, 2015	#2
DonnaMarieNJ Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northeast New Jersey Posts: 731	Help with bringing plants indoors I have numerous plants that I bring indoors to overwinter. A few years ago, in mid January, I noticed small worm-type bugs crawling out of the soil of my topical plants every time I watered. Once the water seeped down, the critters burrowed under the soil again, disappearing out of sight. It was mid-winter - I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what the critters were and I couldn't repot the plant inside the house. I suffered through that winter waiting for just to find the perfect moment I could get rid of them. The moment the weather became warmer, I carried that plant, and all the others, outside and soaked every plant in a bucket of water for a few days, drowning the bugs. Some floated to the top and some crawled up the plant for air (which I promptly killed). Now, I do this every season BEFORE bringing the plants inside. This won't kill everything, of course, but it helped me in my situation. The weather has to be just right for this. Not too cold overnight for the drowning and when you are certain the critters are gone, the plant must drain before you bring it back into the house. Then you can bring the plants safely back into the house again. i will check for more information when I wake up in the AM __________________ DonnaMarieNJ I pay the mortgage, but my cats own the house! Last edited by DonnaMarieNJ; October 11, 2015 at 12:23 AM.

October 11, 2015	#7
DonnaMarieNJ Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northeast New Jersey Posts: 731	The Hot-Shot must be "very harsh" - it is restricted in NJ! __________________ DonnaMarieNJ I pay the mortgage, but my cats own the house!

October 12, 2015	#10
DonnaMarieNJ Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northeast New Jersey Posts: 731	the nematodes product - can you use it indoors, on herbs? How often do you apply? I only have a small watering can for indoor use. In the winter, I usually only have about 10 plants indoors. __________________ DonnaMarieNJ I pay the mortgage, but my cats own the house!

October 13, 2015	#12
clkeiper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 4,350	soapy water drench and spray. __________________ carolyn k

October 11, 2015	#3
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	Larvae in soil can be killed with mosquito dunks. Let them soak overnight or more in the water you give the plant. They are harmless BT bacteria. There are also other kinds of beneficial nematodes that do the same thing. You'll need to treat the plant with several waterings, to make sure you are getting the new eggs that hatch out.

October 11, 2015	#5
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,466	I've never had a fungus gnat problem but I watch out for spider mites and aphids when bringing plants indoors. I recently had to wipe out spider mites on my daughters miniature rose plant.