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House Plants
PESTS (Page 2/2)
White fly is a serious pest once it becomes established in
the house. The insect attacks many types of plants and because of its active
habit of flight upon approach is difficult to control. A number of commercial
spray remedies are successful, providing the spray used comes in contact with
the insect. Malathion will control white fly, but repeated applications must
be used. It is important to watch the cineraria, the ageratum, saluia, fuchsia
and Martha Washington geraniums, because these plants are especially subject
to white fly attacks.
MEALY BUGS: Are soft bodied, slowmoving insects found on
crotons, ferns, coleus and a host of other plants. They are usually clustered
around
the crevices
and joints of the leaves and sterns. Because of their fuzzy covering, penetration
by ordinary sprays is almost impossible. Malathion and Trithion are most effective.
Also they may be removed with a fine paint brush dipped in a nicotine spray
solution, this is a sure method of control.
SCALE: Scale insects look like tiny brown specks, although they often vary
in their coloration and form. They attack ferns, palms, crotons and many other
plants. On ferns they should not be confused with the brownish spore cases
distributed in a regular fashion on the underside of the leaves. Scale may
be controlled by treatment similar to that used on mealy bugs. In addition
to that each insect may be removed by inserting a blade of a knife underneath
and thus dislodging the pest.
EARTH WORMS - Earthworms are thought frequently to be injurious
to plant growth, Actually the only damage they do is to create burrows in the
soil which admit
too much air and dry out the roots. If thought to be objectionable, one soil
application of time water, arsenate of lead or Chlordane will kill them quickly.
Original soil sterilization is the best solution. At times root lice and maggots
cause damage to the roots. Chlordane mixed with soil or on the surface will
get rid of these pests.
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