Popular Plants that Pests in Colorado Love

Many people love to fill their homes and businesses with beautiful plants, but some of that flora could end up attracting unwanted pests. Here is a quick glimpse at some of the most popular plants that might bring pesky bugs and rodents onto your property and a few steps that you can take to keep those pests away.

Areca Palms

This particular species has become very popular among homeowners because it is eye-catching and relatively easy to keep alive. Unfortunately, areca palms can also be a major breeding ground for spider mites. As the mites slowly eat the leaves of an areca palm, they might end up lay hundreds of eggs a week. While spider mites aren’t particularly dangerous to humans, those bugs could potentially end up killing off many of the plants in your home. If you decide that you would like to keep areca palms around, then you should consider putting them outside.

Succulents

Much like areca palms, succulents are extremely eye-catching and easy to care for. Even though many succulent species are very safe to own, some of them do attract mealybugs. That soft-bodied insect isn’t dangerous, but a colony might end up killing off all of the plants throughout your home or business. Mealybugs are also known for spreading mold and bacteria from one plant to another. In addition to scheduling regular service calls from a pest control expert, you can also keep mealybugs at bay by regularly wiping down your plants with warm water and a non-toxic cleaner.

Cyclamen

This flowering plant is often brought into homes during Valentine’s Day and other holidays, and the soil that they are planted in sometimes contains vine weevils. Over time, the weevils will spread from one plant to the next as they look for new roots where they can lay their eggs. The insects might even make their way outside your home and begin attacking the nearby trees and bushes. Diatomaceous earth is one of the most effective options for repelling weevils, but you will probably need to speak with a pest control expert if the weevils have spread throughout your property.

Vegetables and Herbs

Many people throughout Colorado are now planting their own gardens, and that pastime is a great way to grow healthy produce for your family. If you have recently decided to plant some vegetables or herbs, then you need to come up with a comprehensive plan for keeping insects and rodents off your property. Pests are going to be attracted to almost any type of fruit, vegetable, or herb that you try to grow, and they could end up contaminating your food if you aren’t careful

Even though many plants might bring mice or insects into your home or business, there are some simple steps that you can take to keep your property pest-free. With some professional help and a little bit of hard work, you will be able to enjoy your beautiful new plants for many years to come.

Contact us today to get started in Lakewood, Colorado or Colorado Springs, Colorado.