Even these super-resilient houseplants sometimes fall prey to pesky visitors. Here are 6 Common Snake Plant Bugs that You Should Be Aware Of!
Tough on the outside but softies inside? Snake Plants are the most solid and resilient houseplants that even purify indoor air! But occasionally, cunning bugs and pests get to even these hardy succulents!
Once you become aware of these common snake plant bugs, you can keep them safe and healthy with ease.
Common Snake Plant Bugs
1. Spider Mites
Spider mites are bugs that feed on stressed snake plants. These pests are often found in dry conditions, and they suck the sap from the succulent, causing red or white spots, punctures, and webs, causing its leaves to wilt and look less aesthetic.
Getting Rid of Them
There are a few ways to deter spider mites from bugging your snake plant!
- Just pour half a cup of rubbing alcohol into four cups of water to create the perfect kryptonite for these pests! Spray this solution or dab a cloth with it on the leaves.
- Soapy water and diluted neem oil are also effective in deterring these pests.
- If it’s still in the early stages, you could try increasing the humidity around the plant since these bugs only thrive in dry air.
- If you have space outdoors, place your snake plant where predators like ladybugs can feed on spider mites.
2. Mealybugs
If you notice small cotton-like fuzzy masses on the leaves of your snake plant, they are probably mealybugs. These scaled insects are found in warm, moist environments and love lush foliage, especially snake plants. They weaken the plant by sucking its juices and lead to yellowing and slower growth.
Getting Rid of Them
Just like we did with spider mites, dab and wipe the infected parts with an alcohol-soaked cotton swab or soft cloth to get rid of mealybugs. You can also use natural alternatives like spraying neem oil on the infected bits. Our article here can help.
3. Scale Insects
Scale insects are also common snake plant bugs you’ll come across. The mother scale bug produces hundreds of eggs, which eventually hatch, and the infestation grows exponentially. You’ll need to take action as soon as you spot them.
These bugs are only mobile during their young days and, later, just settle into a single spot. The leaves turn yellow, and these deadly bugs inhibit the plant’s growth, killing it in the end.
Getting Rid of Them
If you have a spare toothbrush, use it to scrape these pests away gently. However, if the infestation is more severe, misting with insecticidal soap will do the trick!
4. Thrips
When you bring home a basket of veggies, inspect it closely, as it may harbor the infamous thrips. These slender bugs with fringed wings pierce the surface of snake plants and leave behind silver-grey blotches.
Thrips cause snake plant foliage to deform and curl. They are not harmful to humans as they do not bite or sting, but they can transfer plant-specific viruses to your Sanseverias.
Getting Rid of Them
Controlling thrips might be a little more cumbersome, as you may need to use sticky traps and regularly inspect and wipe down the plant’s leaves.
Also, spray any chemical-free, house friendly pesticide once every two weeks until the infestation clears up. If you still notice their damaging effects on your plant, these ways will help you get rid of them for good!
5. Aphids
Aphids are frequent bugs on snake plants, especially when the plants are stressed or over-fertilized. These small green or black insects suck the sap of snake plant leaves, leading to distorted growth and sticky residue problems.
Getting Rid of Them
Dish soap works great to combat aphids. Gently wipe the leaves off the bugs with a solution of water and dish soap. If dish soap doesn’t give you the results you were looking for, here are 17 different ways to kill Aphids.
6. Fungus Gnats
Have you wondered what those fly-like creatures that are such couch potatoes you can flick them away with a finger are? If yes, Fungus gnat is the name you are looking for.
They are often found around houseplants that are overwatered and kept in soggy soil. Their larvae feed on the roots, stunting the plant’s growth.
Getting Rid of Them
To get rid of fungus gnats, you must eliminate the root cause of their infestation, which is moisture and overwatering. Hence, let the soil dry out between watering spells.
And doing this will help your mother-in-law’s tongue grow better as well. If you wish to learn more, check out these snake plant watering tips.
While these solutions will get rid of these common bugs inflicting your snake plant, too much may also harm it. Test the remedy on a small part of the plant. If there’s no damage, you can then use it on the rest of your plant to get rid of all its crawly woes. Happy bug hunting!
