What Plants Attract Pests?

What plants attract pests into my home?

1. Indoor vegetable, fruit, and root plants
2. Flowering plants
3. Water plants

 

Maybe you want to add some new plants to your garden, or spruce up your home with some new houseplants — but be careful. If you’ve had pest control problems in the past, you should know that certain plants can attract the same pests you’re trying to keep out of your home.

But what plants attract pests, and why? If you want to learn how to reduce the risk of bugs and other irksome pests from entering your home, read on. We cover what types of plants you should keep an eye on, and how to enjoy your new additions to your home and garden without worrying.

 

What plants attract pests into my home?

Most household bugs are attracted to certain plants, and once they sense them in your home, they may attempt to settle in. Here are a few pest-attracting plants you should keep an eye on:

 

Indoor vegetable, fruit, and root plants

People love to grow their own fruits, veggies, and roots in their homes. In some cases, you may be tempted to grow them in small planters indoors. However, you should know that the crops they produce are seen as a possible food source for many pests. If you plan on growing this kind of plant indoors, keep an eye on these:

• Tuberous veggies, like carrots, turnips, potatoes.
• Leafy veggies, like cabbage and lettuce.
• Root and bulb crops, like taro, onions, and leeks.
• Fruit plants, like tomatoes and zucchinis.

 

Flowering plants

Another popular choice for indoor spaces is flowering plants. However, these flowers are colorful and produce nectar, which can attract insects inside the home. Some examples of popular indoor flowering plants in the Philippines are:

• Sunflowers
• Lavender
• Orchids
• Lilies, such as peace lilies or stargazer lilies.

 

Water plants

Some homes also have water features, like ponds, near or inside their home. These water features are typically decorated with water plants, which could potentially draw in insects. Such plants are:

• Water lilies
• Water hyacinths
• Water lettuce

 

Why are pests attracted to plants?

Why do plants attract pests? This is because adding plants into your home can promote certain conditions, which pests like insects love.

They are usually attracted to spaces that have high humidity. Overwatering your plants can create a space that is moister and humid than other areas in your home. Overwatered and soggy pots will raise the relative humidity levels around the plant, which entices insects. Overwatering can also add areas with standing water in your home.

Putting too many plants in one area can also reduce air circulation. If the room you place your plants in has stagnant air and water, it becomes the perfect breeding ground for pests. With ample air circulation, you can control the humidity and moisture of one area from getting too high. Having enough airflow also prevents insects from comfortably living and breeding in the area.

 

Common pests on indoor plants

When it comes to pests that are attracted to common indoor plants, there are less than a dozen — but each one can cause nuisances and problems for your home.

 

Ants

Ants are attracted to plants because they are a food and nesting material source for them. While they may seem harmless, they can cause damage to your home as well as your plants. They may bore holes through your walls and cabinetry, and even eat through plant roots in pots and containers.

 

Mosquitos

Mosquitoes are attracted to the scent and nectar of certain plants and can breed in stagnant water. A mosquito problem can be quite dangerous, as they spread diseases like dengue fever, West Nile virus, Zika virus, and much more.

 

Flies

Fruit flies and gnats are a major nuisance — they spread germs and bacteria, congregate around the living areas in your home, and use the stagnant water around potted plants to breed. They can also damage your plants, as their larvae feed on the roots and stems and promote the spread of fungi in potting soil.

 

Aphids

Aphids are tiny white insects that love to feast on the sap of houseplants. Despite their small size, they can cause considerable damage over time. They secrete a sticky liquid that causes leaves to yellow and falls off quickly. Aphids can also jump from plant to plant and reproduce quite fast — in a matter of weeks, you could be dealing with an infestation.

 

Thrips

Thrips are a less common pest in the Philippines and are minuscule winged insects. However, they cause a lot of damage and disease to your plants. They feed on the sap of crop-bearing plants and leave injuries that appear as silvery splotchy patches. It can also spread plant viruses that can kill off many of your houseplants. Thrips can also eat up cloth, rayon, linen, and other types of fabric in your home.

 

Mites

Mites may be difficult to spot as they are smaller than even thrips and aphids. However, one way to spot them is to check for fine webbing on your plant leaves — these are a sure sign that these pests are infesting your home. They can kill off plants and reproduce rapidly. If you’re unlucky, you may even be bitten by mites, which produces a very itchy and red rash.

 

Key Takeaway

Our article on what plants attract pests and what plant-growing elements can promote pest infestations can help you prevent and minimize damage from such nuisances. But, if you find yourself dealing with plant pests, contact Topbest immediately.

We will help you treat the problem quickly and with the appropriate method to eradicate any infestation you have. Send us a message today to learn about our methods, and what other Topbest services you can benefit from!