When it comes to moths, everyone immediately thinks of clothes moths that eat holes in clothing. But moths are not only textile pests, they also infest food, among other things. Even in the potting soil you will find moth-like animals that should be fought.
Small, white moths in the flower pot are probably whitefly
The flying insects in the potting soil
Usually these are not moths but whitefly insects that actually look like moths. In Europe alone there are 17 species that the layman can hardly tell apart. When the animals appear en masse, they can cause damage, especially in commercial greenhouses.
These small pests also have no place in the flower pot at home.
Fighting the "moths"
A distinction is made here between chemical and biological agents:
- biological control with parasitic wasps
- chemical control with pheromone traps (sticky traps)
- Replacing the soil in the flower pot
The use of parasitic wasps
If the "moths" appear in the garden, the use of parasitic wasps (€22.99) can bring good results. These animals are tiny and not dangerous to humans. They lay eggs in moth eggs with their ovipositor. A wasp larva develops, which feeds on the pest's egg until it hatches.
pheromone traps
They consist of a piece of cardboard, which is provided with sex attractant (pheromone). The scent attracts male animals who expect a female "moth" here. Instead, they are held in place by a layer of glue, and they die. This prevents offspring and the population decreases. The pheromone traps should be set up for about three months.
Used in the garden, the adhesive panels also attract other insects. When the panels are full, they must be replaced. If you put the panels on the window sill in the room, the windows should remain closed to achieve a good effect.
Other countermeasures
If you don't feel like parasitic wasps or attractants and don't want to wait until all "moths" are gone, you can simply repot your flowers. To do this, the plant is taken out of the pot and as much soil as possible is shaken from the roots. This is the only way to get rid of the small moths and their nests.
The flower pot must now be scrubbed thoroughly. A rinse with hot vinegar water penetrates even the smallest cracks where eggs like to be laid. It is best to let the pot dry out in the sun. Then it can be planted again with high-quality potting soil.