Bugs can be a real drag on your snake plant. They’re not only unsightly, but they also destroy the leaves and flowers of your houseplant. Fortunately, there are many ways to get rid of bugs that destroy snake plants. Here’s how to get rid of bugs on snake plants:
Neem Oil
Neem oil is a natural pesticide that’s safe for humans and pets. It can be applied to the soil of your snake plant, sprayed on its leaves, or both. Neem oil works by preventing pests from growing and reproducing. It’s also effective against other common garden pests like aphids and mealybugs.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a powdery substance that’s made from the fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of algae. It is frequently used in gardening as an insecticide and a deodorizer. The powder has sharp edges that cut into the exoskeletons of bugs, causing them to dry out and die.
While it’s safe for humans and other animals (such as your snake plant), there are some warnings that come with using diatomaceous earth:
- It can kill beneficial insects (like bees) if they walk over it while they’re carrying pollen or nectar back to their hives/nests. If you have beneficial insects around your house, consider this before using diatomaceous earth on plants where those bugs may stop for a visit.
- Diatomaceous earth does not work immediately when you apply it; it needs time for its abrasive particles to dull down so they don’t harm people or pets who may come into contact with them.
Pyrethrin
If you’re looking for something natural, there are plenty of options. A common herbal insecticide is a pyrethrin, which comes from the chrysanthemum flower. It works by disrupting pests’ nervous systems and can be found in many commercial products as well as some DIY recipes (such as this one).
To use pyrethrin to get rid of bugs on snake plants:
- Mix 1 part water with 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts vegetable oil in a spray bottle. Let it sit overnight before using it to mix the ingredients evenly–this helps prevent clumping when they’re sprayed onto your plant’s leaves.
- Spray onto affected areas until damp but not dripping wet; avoid getting any liquid in between leaves or around their stems, so they don’t rot off! Wait 10 minutes before letting your snake plants dry completely before watering them again–the longer it takes for them to dry out again, the less likely you’ll have any problems with mold growth later on because there won’t be enough moisture left behind from spraying that could cause issues down the road if left unchecked.”
Herbal Water
If you’re looking for an organic option, here’s what to do:
- Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to 2 cups of water. The vinegar helps give the solution a little more grip on bugs and kills them faster.
- Pour the solution into a spray bottle and mist your snake plant daily until all the bugs are gone.
The process works best if you keep up with it every day—you may see some new insects appearing after two or three days, but they’ll be easier to deal with when they’re still small! Once all the bugs are gone, stop spraying; otherwise, your snake plant could get too much moisture in its leaves and grow mold instead of foliage.
Chili Peppers
Chili peppers, like snake plants, have been used to repel insects for centuries. The oils in chili peppers are known to deter bugs naturally.
Chili peppers can also be used as a fertilizer, so they’re a great addition to your garden. You can use them fresh or dried as part of your regular composting routine or keep them on hand in the kitchen for when you need some extra fertilizer for indoor plants that don’t get enough sunlight to grow well on their own—or make sure you know how hot your chili is so that you don’t accidentally burn the plant.
If you want an even stronger repellent than just using chili peppers scattered around the area where you will be planting snake plants (or any other outdoor plants), consider making chili powder instead of using fresh chilis straight out of their pods. This method has several benefits:
Firstly, since it’s dry and powdered right out of its pod form, there’s no risk of watering down with moisture from rainwater soaking through leafy greens hiding underneath leaves like spinach did when left uncovered during heavy rainfalls;
Secondly, because it can be sprinkled over larger areas more easily than whole chilis, which tends not only attract attention from pests looking for food sources but also by children looking for something interesting (and potentially dangerous) inside cans marked “poison”.
Garlic
The next time you’re in the grocery store, consider picking up a few bulbs of garlic. Garlic is a natural insect repellent and can help keep pests away from your snake plant. Garlic works best when crushed or minced, so don’t be afraid to get creative with its use—try smearing some on a piece of paper and placing it near the affected plants.
Another option is to chop up some garlic and sprinkle bits around each plant’s base. You can also rub crushed garlic onto stems or leaves as well! If you want to take things one step further, try growing your own garlic at home: It’s easy! Just make sure that the soil has warm conditions (above 65 degrees F) and plenty of sunlight before planting seeds into it; once they sprout up (about 6 weeks later), thin out any extras manually so only one single plant remains per pot or seedling tray (keep them watered every day). Once fully grown (about six months), cut back any flower buds that form on top just before flowering, so all energy goes toward producing more bulbous growth underneath instead; otherwise, those flowers could throw off nutrients needed elsewhere throughout this process which would prevent root production from happening properly within other parts of each individual tuber itself – resulting in poor yields overall due.
Vegetable Soap
Vegetable soap is a gentle option that can be used on all plants. It’s safe for your snake plant and won’t harm humans or animals, so feel free to use this control method if you have pets or children in the house.
To clean your snake plant with vegetable soap:
- Use warm water to wet the leaves, stems, and soil. Be sure not to overwater; just spray enough water onto the plant so that it absorbs enough moisture but doesn’t become soggy.
- Apply a small amount of vegetable shampoo to each leaf, stem, and root cluster (if your snake plant has one). If possible,, try not to get any liquid into the flowers themselves, as they may suffer damage from the chemicals in vegetable soap if sprayed directly with it. Vegetable shampoos tend not to have any harmful effects on snakes, but I wouldn’t risk spraying them directly without trying out an even milder alternative first such as just plain water or diluted vinegar first, before moving onto something stronger like dishwashing liquid or laundry detergent, which might cause damage if left unchecked over time.
Insecticide Spray
To prepare the insecticide spray, mix 2 tablespoons of insecticidal soap and 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in 3 cups of water. Spray on both the leaves and insects with a strong jet of water to create a fine mist, covering both sides of the leaves thoroughly. Repeat every week until all infestation has been eliminated.
Pesticide Spray
This is the last resort and should be used only in extreme cases.
Pesticides are not good for your snake plants and can cause harm to the plant if used too often. It is better to avoid using pesticides at all costs, but if you must use pesticide spray, ensure it is safe for plants (i.e., organic). Do not use too much of pesticide spray on your snake plant, as this can also cause damage to your plant!
Conclusion
With so many different methods to choose from, you should be able to find one that works best for your specific situation. Remember, it’s always possible that the bugs will return; if this happens, just try another method until you find something that works well!