How to Get Rid of Caterpillars from Houseplants: Caterpillars Control Indoors


Houseplants Pests, Caterpillar

Caterpillars Identification

Many types of caterpillars can infest houseplants but rarely do they attack plants that are grown indoors. The caterpillars vary in color from green, red, brown or black.

The main sign of the caterpillars on the plants is the presence of holes in the leaves; they are rarely seen as they eat up the plant and go into hiding.

How to Get Rid of Caterpillars on Indoor Plants

  1. Since these caterpillars are rarely seen, look for the caterpillars as soon as you observe holes on the leaves. Once you sight them, pick the caterpillars and destroy them.

  2. Remove heavily damaged leaves and dispose to reduce the caterpillars food source.

  3. Treat the affected indoor plant with a neem oil as per the manufacturer's instructions. Neem oil disrupts the caterpillar's feeding and life cycle.

  4. Blend garlic cloves or hot chili peppers with water and strain the mixture. Spray the plant with this solution to repel the caterpillars to prevent further damage.

How to Prevent Caterpillars from Houseplants

  1. Keep your plants healthy at all times, as healthy plants are less likely to be damaged by caterpillars; ensure proper watering, fertilizing and lighting.

  2. Acquire your plants from trustworthy sources to avoid introducing these pests to your plant collection.

  3. Carefully inspect new plants before bringing them indoors and treat any infested plants until free of these pests.

  4. Frequently check the plants for caterpillars and take timely control measures.

  5. Use sticky barriers to prevent the caterpillars from crawling onto the plants.

  6. Maintain your plants properly pruned to get rid of the breeding and hiding grounds for these pests.

  7. Keep the growing area clean by removing fallen leaves and any plant debris as they can harbor these caterpillars.

  8. Occasionally, clean the leaves to discourage these pests.

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