Research Article Detail

In Indian houses, there are some common plants such as marigold, hibiscus, curry leaves, snake plants, and periwinkle. Insects and pests are a major problem for plants and managing it can be troublesome. So here in this blog, I will suggest easy measures to control those troublesome insects and pests. 

Marigold

Japanese beetles, aphids, and leafhoppers are some of the common insects of marigold. 

Control measures:

1. Japanese beetles:  Damage by Japanese beetles look like skeletonized leaves. It can be managed by hand removal, spraying neem oil will also be beneficial, and DIY insecticidal syrup by using soap, water, and vegetable oil will be helpful to get rid of Japanese beetles.
2. Aphids: Aphids' damage can be identified by twisted leaves, yellow leaves, and sticky leaves and the aphids are visible through naked eyes. It can be managed by spraying with a strong stream of water, removal through hands, a dusting of flour, and wiping the infected plants with soap and water solution will be beneficial for controlling aphids. 
3. Leafhoppers: Leafhoppers damaged look like white stippled spotted leaves. Leafhoppers can be managed by DIY insecticidal soap and neem oil. You can also get rid of using a strong spray of water. 

Hibiscus

Aphids, white flies, thrips, and ants are the common insects of hibiscus.

1. Aphids: Aphids' damage symptoms are twisted leaves, yellow leaves, and sticky leaves, and the aphids are visible through naked eyes. To manage aphids by spraying a strong stream of water, manual removal through hands, dusting of flour, and wiping the infected plants with soap and water solution will be beneficial for controlling aphids. 
2. Whiteflies: white flies feed on leaves and suck their saps and sticky material is accumulated on the leaves. Neem oil will be beneficial for controlling white flies. 
3. Thrips: spots on flowers, yellow spots on leaves, distorted fruits, and flowers. It is managed by neem oil, mulching, and controlling the weed population.
4.  Ants: it is not that harmful to the plant but they eat beneficial insects. Use baits to carry out the ants to the nests. 

Curry leaves

Mealy bugs, aphids, and scales are some common pests of the curry leaf plant.

1. Mealy bugs: yellow and wilted leaves, weak plants, and discolored plants are some of the symptoms of mealy bugs’ damage. Insect-killing soaps will be beneficial for controlling mealy bugs, keeping the plant separately from other plants, and washing the plant with a force of water and neem oil spray will also be effective. 
2. Aphids: Aphids' damage can be identified by twisted leaves, yellow leaves, and sticky leaves and the aphids are visible through naked eyes. It can be managed by spraying with a strong stream of water, removal through hands, a dusting of flour, and wiping the infected plants with soap and water solution will be beneficial for controlling aphids. 
3. Scales: yellow leaves and white and yellow patches on the leaves are some of the common symptoms of scale damage. Rubbing alcohol and an insecticidal spray of soap and water will be effective to control mealy bugs. Mix the rubbing alcohol in water and spray directly or you can use cotton. 

Snake plants

Aphids, Mealybugs, and scales are some of the common pests of snake plants. 

1. Mealy bugs: yellow and wilted leaves, weak plants, and discolored plants are some of the symptoms to identify that your plant is affected by the mealy bug. Insect-killing soaps will be effective for controlling mealy bugs, keeping the plant isolated from other plants, and washing the plant with a strong stream of water and neem oil spray will also be effective. 
2. Aphids: Aphids' damage symptoms are twisted leaves, yellow leaves, and sticky leaves, and the aphids are visible through naked eyes. It can be managed by spraying with a strong force of water, manual removal by hands, and a dusting of flour, Spraying the infected plants with soap and water solution will be beneficial for controlling aphids. 
3. Scales: yellow leaves and white and yellow patches on the leaves are some of the symptoms of scale damage. Rubbing alcohol and an insecticidal spray of soap and water will be effective to control mealy bugs. 

Periwinkle

Aphids, whiteflies, and scales are some of the common insects of the periwinkle plant. 

1. Aphids: Aphids' damage symptoms are twisted leaves, yellow leaves, and sticky leaves, and the aphids are visible through naked eyes. It can be managed by spraying with a strong force of water, manual removal by hands, and a dusting of flour, Spraying the infected plants with soap and water solution will be beneficial for controlling aphids. 
2. Scales: White and yellow patches on the leaves are some of the symptoms of scale damage. Rubbing alcohol and an insecticidal spray of soap and water will be effective to control mealy bugs. 
3. Whiteflies: They feed on the leaves and suck their saps and sticky material is accumulated on the leaves. Neem oil will effective in controlling white flies.