What could be digging in my house plants?

Rodents in Houseplants Any time you’ve got mice digging up houseplants, you’ve got a problem that reaches far beyond just your indoor greenery. The reason your houseplant keeps getting dug up is because the mouse in question is using it to store food, so make sure you’re cutting off that supply, as well.

What kind of bugs live in houseplant soil?

What are the common Houseplant Bugs?

Fungus Gnats.
Scale.
Spider Mites.
Aphids.
Whiteflies.
Mealybugs.
Thrips.

Why is there a hole in my plant soil?

Plants that don’t like a lot of moisture will need a drainage hole for moisture to escape and for airflow to circulate through the pot. Another important function of drainage holes is to allow water to flush the soil of excess salts from fertilizers.

Do rats dig holes in potted plants?

Do rats dig in potted plants? Finding holes dug into the houseplant is frustrating but is also a common problem mostly in the fall and winter. Although these creatures do not eat houseplants, rodents will consider the loose potting soil as a great hiding place. Rodents burrow in an effort to store food.

How do you keep animals from digging in potted plants?

Cover potted plants with a cage made from chicken wire, plastic bird netting, or hardware cloth – especially during the offseason when squirrels are more prone to “planting” their stash, which they normally come back for later, digging up precious bulbs in the process.

What is digging small holes in my potted plants?

Holes that begin appearing as soon as the container is planted may signal a hungry animal. Browsing mammals cause holes all season long. Holes that appear in summer where soil that has been in a container for more than a year may be tunnels dug by hatching beetles as they emerge from pupal stages.

What animals dig in potted plants?

Rodents, squirrels, raccoons, foxes, and household pets can be digging up your potted plants at night. They might be attracted to the plants or the bugs crawling around in the potting soil. You can add a physical barrier, repellent herbs, bonemeal, or cayenne pepper to keep them away.

Why do squirrels dig in potted plants?

Why Do Squirrels Dig in Flower Pots? Squirrels dig primarily to bury their cache of food, such as acorns or nuts. Flower pots are ideal because potting soil is so soft and easy for squirrels to dig in. Chances are, you’ll find their tasty treasure trove buried a few inches (7.5 to 15 cm.)

Why are there Bugs on my house plants?

Insects reproduce quickly and will invade other plants, carrying any disease from plant to plant. Leaves with brown spots, holes, or nibbled edges: these are sure signs of pest infestation or disease. Insects anywhere on the plant. If you bring these unwanted bugs into your home, they will likely attack your other plants, too.

What are the most common pests on houseplants?

Although difficult to spot, microscopic spider mites are houseplant pests that can leave fuzzy webs on leaves or stems. The most common houseplant pests that you can find on the plant’s leaves or in the soil are fungus gnats. These soil dwelling pests look like small dark flies similar to fruit flies and their larvae could damage roots.

Why are there so many pests in my house?

Your houseplants spend all their time indoors where the temperature, sunlight, and humidity may not be optimal. That makes them easy prey for plant pests that find their way indoors. Pests have no natural predators inside, and their population can increase rapidly.

What kind of bugs are in Your House?

If household bugs are left unchecked, over time they can start to turn your home into theirs, leading to a full-blown infestation. Generally speaking, rooms with food, moisture or clutter are most likely to attract ants, cockroaches, mice, rats, flies and other common household bugs.

Why are there so many bugs on my houseplants?

When a houseplant looks less than healthy, most often it is the result of improper care. Factors such as too much or too little water, light, heat or fertilizer can cause many plant problems. However, in some cases the problem results from a pest infestation. Several insects and other pests feed on houseplants.

What kind of bugs live in potting soil?

Their larvae feed on the fungi living in potting soil. Another of the more common types of houseplant bugs, scale is sometimes difficult to spot. There are many different species, each with a unique appearance, but the most common houseplant pest scales look like little bumps and are found along the stems and on leaf undersides.

What are the most common pests in the House?

Fun Facts. 1 #1 Ants. Perhaps the most common of household pests, the small yet mighty ant has been deemed the #1 nuisance pest in America by the National Pest 2 #2 Bed Bugs. 3 #3-6 Bees, Hornets, Wasps, and Yellow Jackets. 4 #7 Beetles. 5 #8 Cockroaches.