Indoor plants are just as susceptible to bugs and pests as outdoor plants.

Bugs on snake plant is kind of annoying issue if you have it. In fact, indoor plants frequently have more bugs than outdoor plants.

One reason for this is that your indoor plants lack the assistance of insects like ladybugs…

…to help control bug infestations. The colder months are the most vulnerable time for your plants.

Plants are going into their dormant phase when they are not growing.

Plants are physically more weak during periods of dormancy. Another reason why indoor plants are more pest-prone…

…in the winter is that the temperature and room conditions are ideal. Your home has less humidity…

….in the middle of winter, and you’re probably heating indoors. When you combine low air circulation…

…with warm room temperatures, you have the perfect environment for bugs to thrive.

Here’s the link for you to know more about planting care of this snake plant.

But before that, here we have Alex story about his experience having bugs on snake plant issue.

Let us hear Alex’s story

It had been a long day. I just wanted to come home, take my shoes off, and relax on the couch with my favorite show.

Unfortunately for me, nature had other plans in mind ! Bugs have invaded our plants!

It’s not fair that these little pests get to invade even our most sacred spaces (plant pots) without us.

I saw the white bugs crawling from my snake plant leaves slowly but steady and not seeing me as a threat.

Well after that I search my bugs’s spray and sprayed it to my snake plant.

It was effective but if I use this bug’s spray regurally, I don’t want my snake plant got contatminated by the chemical from bug’s spray.

So I decided to find another way or as we can say getting rid bugs on snake plant naturally.

Finally after I did the research, now I know how to getting rid of bugs on snake plant naturally.

Houseplant pests are tiny bugs or mites that feed on the leaves, stems and/or roots. There are many different types of bugs that can infest indoor plants. Some will crawl around on the leaves or in the soil, and some can fly. Others don’t appear to move at all, and look more like a fungus or disease.

 Amy Andrychowicz, author from getbusygardening.com

Here’s the main thing…

Sansevieria (Snake Plant) is a perennial with a long history. This evergreen plant was named….

..after Italian inventor Raimondo di Sangro, Prince of San Severo by Swedish botanist Carl Peter Thunburg (1710-1771).

The snake plant has been grown for more than 250 years and has been in the US foliage trade since the 1920s.

Throughout its history, this plant was classified as a Sansevieria species.

As of 2017, snake plants have been included in the genera Dracaena as well as the genus Dracaena.

Since the snake plants name was updated, its scientific name is Dracaena trifasciata.

As you might have guessed, it is a member of the Asparagaceae group of plants.

We will discuss toxicity later in the guide, however, so please refrain from nibbling on a leaf for now.

The plant originates from West Africa and is available in several varieties.

Hahnii, Laurentii, Compacta, Goldiana, and Silbersee are some of the types.

Among the varieties,  you’ll find a variety of sizes and shapes, from dwarf snake plants to a twisted-sister variety with wavy leaves.

You may wonder how bugs end up in your home in the first place. Then, suddenly your plants look fine…

….and a few days later bugs pop up without warning. These are the ways that houseplants get contaminated with pests:

• Door and window openings – Insects are quick to find the right environment for breeding. Open doors and windows are easy entry points for pests.
• Bringing new plants into the house – Your other houseplants are at risk when you buy new plants from the gardening center. Without your knowledge, bugs may have already laid eggs on the leaves or in the soil of new plants.
• Potting soil – Potting soil is full of bugs and their eggs. As a result, to reduce the risk of pest infestation, always purchase high-quality soil.
• Fresh produce or cut flowers – Bugs can be found in the produce or flowers you purchase.
• Outdoor plants – Bugs can come inside with the plant when it’s brought in from the outdoors when the weather becomes colder!

Pest infestation can be caused by a number of factors. The following are a few of the most important:

• High humidity
• Overwatering
• Poor Ventilation

Go on…

A high humidity level can represent a problem for snake plants. Generally snake plants prefer a moderate humidity level.

Should you allow them to be at a high humidity level, you will need to monitor them promptly.

Pests thrive in moist environments because their bodies require moisture;

they also cannot survive in hot weather for long periods of time. Pests are naturally drawn to such areas…

…and plants when there is a lot of humidity. When snake plants are exposed to high humidity for an extended period…

…of time, the leaves begin to yellow and wilt, providing ideal conditions for pests to thrive and establish a home in the plant.

An overwatered plant is a pest’s dream come true. When you overwater your plant, the soil suffers because…

….it does not have enough time to dry out. Snake plants dislike being submerged in water, which can lead to root rot.

This environment attracts pests, and they thrive there. In addition to overwatering-related problems…

….the plant will provide a difficult environment for pest infestations, and the owner of the plant…

…will have no choice but to discard it completely. The plant needs to dry out between watering while…

…other cultural conditions remain balanced. The drainage system is also important while watering.

It is imperative that a flower pot’s drainage be operational, as failing to do so will prevent the water…

…from draining fully, which will keep the soil soggy.

Next up…

To thrive and stay healthy, snake plants need aerated soil and good airflow around them.

Pests may be attracted to the plant if it is kept in a group or in an area with insufficient air flow.

It will encourage the growth of fungi and bacteria, as well as root rot. Because the soil does not dry out quickly…

…it provides ideal conditions for pests to attack

When snake plants become infested with pests, they can be treated in a variety of ways.

It would be best if you took action to control the pest infestation right away.

Pests can be treated using both organic and chemical methods, and you can choose which method you prefer.

The first step should be to isolate the infested plants from the rest of the garden.

Remove all visible infested and damaged leaves from the tree and dispose of them completely.

Sanitize your hands and disinfect the area where the infested plant was previously.

Keep reading…

Plant-based miticides with natural ingredients are available that will not harm the plant while effectively treating the pests.

Spray the solution on the entire plant, but first test it on a leaf to make sure it’s not harmful.

Some effective sprays you can choose from are:

• Pyrethrum: It is derived naturally from a chrysanthemum relative and kills insects by attacking their nervous system.
• Cinnamate: This pesticide is made from cinnamon oil and is safe for plants. It is effective against all stages of pests. To get rid of all the pesky pests, spray the solution on the infested plant every three days for a couple of weeks.
• Neem oil: Neem oil can be used to treat a variety of insects. It’s made from the seeds of the neem tree and can also be used as an insect repellent. For complete relief, you’ll need to reapply neem oil all over the plant on a regular basis.
• Rosemary oil: Rosemary oil is a great way to keep pests away from your plants. Spray rosemary oil all over the plant after diluting it with water. Plants and humans are unaffected.

The tea made of cinnamon is an underrated yet beneficial way of getting rid of pests.

Mix 1 teaspoon of cinnamon with one teaspoon of cloves to a quarter cup of water.

Boil the mixture, cool it, and add crushed garlic. Remove the tea leaves and let it cool. Add a splash of dish soap…

….to the mixture and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray the herb tea on the leaves every three days till relief is complete.

You can kill these pests by hosing down the plant with room temperature water, making sure to wash…

…the undersides of the leaves thoroughly. When you water the plant, make sure all of the excess water…

…is completely drained. Allow the plant to receive at least 6 hours of bright indirect sunlight per day.

We understand that you are going through a challenging time. However, let us say those pests keep prowling…

…despite you trying everything to get rid of them. If that happens, then you may have to weed out…

…the infested plants and start fresh by disinfecting the areas where the plants were kept and cleaning thoroughly.

Last but not least…

• It is important to maintain a healthy environment for the snake plant so that it does not become an infested plant. 
• In humid and moist conditions, pests thrive. Make sure the plant doesn’t drown by keeping it hydrated.
• Don’t mist the plant. Maintain a humidity level of about 40% around the plant to keep pests at bay.
• Build up the plant’s immunity to pests by using miticide sprays once in a while on the plants.
• Apply neem oil spray as a preventive measure.
• You need to keep snake plants away from overwatering and over-fertilizing. This will make them too vulnerable and invite pests, which in turn will increase the chances of fungal growth.
• Continue to keep your leaves clean by keeping them dry between cleaning.

It’s important to take action as soon as you notice bugs on your houseplants..

..so they don’t kill them or spread to other plants in your house.

The best way to eliminate bugs is to use natural remedies.

Treating and controlling bugs at home can be done with some simple home remedies.

What makes natural better? Your family and yourself can be at risk from chemical pesticides used on your plants.

In such a small space, you don’t want to treat indoor plants with harsh chemicals.

In addition to being better for houseplants, natural pesticides are more effective because many become resistant.

Therefore..

..you are not only exposing yourself and your family to harmful chemicals, these same chemicals may be doing nothing to control pests.

Let me share some of my tips for using natural pesticides on your plants.

Using Homemade Bug Spray

You can use these homemade bug sprays on a variety of different  houseplants.

Safe to use, they’re a much better alternative to toxic insecticides.

If you plan on using one of these sprays on a houseplant, test the leaves first to see how they react.

Keep reading…

Take two to three days to process.

Use the spray over the entire plant if the plant is “happy” after this time.

Another tip for using natural bug sprays is to keep the plants out of direct sunlight after spraying.

Together with the heat and the water spray, the sun can damage  the leaves.

Baby Shampoo Bug Spray

Spraying baby shampoo on bugs like aphids and whiteflies can be effective.

One tablespoon of baby shampoo should be added to a four ounce spray bottle.

Water should fill the container to the top.

Every two days, spray the infected houseplants with the spray.

Keep going…

I rinse the plant with clear water using another spray bottle after spraying and waiting for 4 hours.

We are treating and getting rid of these bugs by covering them with the spray for a few hours.

A spray like this won’t work on plants with bristly leaves or leaves with wax coatings.

Cooking Oil Pest Spray

A spray made with cooking oil will effectively control aphids, spider mites, thrips, scale, and whiteflies..

..you can use any oil you have in your kitchen, such as olive, canola, or sunflower.

1 tablespoon of a mild dish soap and 1 cup of oil are combined.

Go on…

Put it into a sealed container and store it in a dark location when not in use.

Spray the mixture into a spray bottle by mixing 2 cups of water with 4 teaspoons of the oil mix.

A few days after applying the solution, mist the infected plant again.

Herbal Water Spray

Herbs that have a strong scent can help to eliminate spider mites, aphids, and other pests from houseplants.

Fresh herbs such as basil, peppermint, lavender, sage, and rosemary can be used, or a combination of them.

Peppermint and rosemary are my favorite scents.

You almost there…

Break apart and crush the herbs so that you have about ½ cup in total.

Put the crushed herbs in a container with a lid. Add 3 cups of water and seal the container.

Let steep for at least 24 hours.

Using a spray bottle, strain the water and toss the herbs out.

Add ¼ teaspoon of mild dish soap to the water.

Before using, shake the bottle well.

You should then spray your plant daily with the  herbal spray.

The spray bottle should be stored in a dark and cool place when not in use.

Using Dish Soap To Get Rid Of It Naturally

The use of dishwashing liquids and sprays can also be very effective in eliminating pests on houseplants.

When using one of these homemade soap sprays on your plants, be sure to test them first.

Mild Soap Spray

When you are treating your houseplants, always use mild soap.

Pour 1  tablespoon of dish soap into a 1-quart spray bottle.

Fill with water from the tap.

Aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites can be treated in this mix that contains 2 percent solution.

To test the effectiveness of the spray, spray one leaf.

If the leaf curls up or changes color, switch to a 1 percent solution, adding just two teaspoons of mild soap.

Retest..

To get rid of bugs naturally, try a different method if the leaf still reacts.

Castile Soap Bug Spray

Among the naturally occurring fatty acids found in Castile is oleic acid.

Many chemical insecticidal soaps contain these fatty acids as the main active ingredient.

Make the spray by mixing 1 tablespoon of castile soap with 1 quart of water to make a 2 percent solution..

..reducing it to 2 teaspoons for the 1 percent solution if necessary.

It is best to use hard water if you have it to prevent a soap layer from forming on your plant.

In the event that you don’t get rid of all the bugs the first time..

..spray both the plant and soil with the soap mix and wait a full week before treating again.

Neem Oil

In addition to being non-toxic, Neem oil is safe to use on both humans and pets.

Many professional indoor and outdoor gardeners use neem..

..which is made from the seeds and fruits of an evergreen tree.

Aphids and fungus gnats are effectively controlled by neem oil.

Neem oil should be diluted with water – 2 tablespoons per 2 cups of  water.

Put the solution into a spray bottle and spray it all over the plant.

Wait at least a week before applying it again.

Essential oils work wonders for killing houseplant bugs

In terms of treating bugs and pests, essential oils are a great treatment and deterrent.

These oils can also be used to treat fungal problems that many  houseplants are susceptible to.

As listed below, you can make these sprays from essential oils to get rid of common bugs and pests.

• Aphids –cedarwood, spearmint, or peppermint
• Fungus gnats – spearmint or patchouli
• Mealybugs – cedarwood, peppermint, or lemongrass
• Spider mites – spearmint or peppermint

Add 10 drops in total into a 4-ounce spray bottle.

Add water until the container is full.

Control and get rid of insects by spraying on the leaves and stems of the plant.

Use an essential oil spray regularly to control and deter these pests if you find your houseplants often have bugs.

The last but not least…

Mix three drops of each of the following essential oils in a 4-ounce spray bottle filled with water:

• Clove
• Peppermint
• Rosemary
• Thyme

Using Fly Paper To Get Rid Of Houseplant Bugs Naturally

It is easy to get rid of whiteflies, fungus gnats, and aphids with double-sided sticky fly paper.

Flies are drawn to sticky paper, which traps them as soon as they come into contact with it.

These are safe since there are no pesticides used in their production.

However..

..they only work on adult bugs, so if they reproduce before they get stuck, you won’t be able to get rid of your pest problem  easily.

They do not treat the soil or the rest of the plant, so I would only recommend this as a temporary solution.

See having Snake plant is good choice for you to have! It’s cool, its famous, it’s easy to have and care!

What else do you need? In this pandemic time like this, is a good choice for you to have an new activity…

…and having snake plant is a good choice for you to have!

Last thing for sure. This plant need to be care carefully, remember plant need the “love” too.

Alright that’s all for today! Do you have any questions about all of this?

Or do you want to add more method for getting rid bugs on snake plant?

Let me know your recommendation from the comment below.

I hope you can now take care your snake carefully and grow it big!

Thanks for reading this article! Bye!