When the weather warms up, windows open, and plants start to perk up with longer days, summer pests often sneak in unnoticed. Even indoor plants aren’t safe from tiny invaders that hitch a ride on fresh air, pets, or new greenery from the garden centre.

At Bloom Culture, we believe healthy plants start with prevention and timely care. Here’s what to look for, including the signs of each pest, and how to treat the most common indoor plant issues during Calgary’s summer season.

Fungus Gnats

The problem: Tiny black flies are hovering around the soil surface. Their larvae feed on organic matter and delicate roots, which can stunt growth in younger or weaker plants.

What to watch for: Tiny flies near the soil, moist or overly wet soil, yellowing leaves

Treatment: Let the soil dry out between waterings, especially in lower light spaces. Sticky traps help catch adults. Topdress the soil with sand or use neem oil or a biological control like Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) to disrupt their life cycle.

Spider Mites

The problem: These nearly invisible mites thrive in hot, dry air and can damage leaves by sucking out plant juices.

What to watch for: Fine webbing under leaves or between stems, stippled or yellowing foliage, dry, crispy leaf edges

Treatment: Increase humidity and gently rinse the plant with lukewarm water. Wipe leaves with a soft cloth and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil every few days until the infestation clears.

Aphids

The problem: Small sap-sucking bugs that gather on tender new growth, often leading to curled or deformed leaves.

What to watch for: Clusters of green, black, or brown insects, misshapen or sticky leaves, black mold from honeydew residue

Treatment: Spray with a strong stream of water to knock aphids off. Then apply neem oil or insecticidal soap to all leaf surfaces, paying close attention to the undersides. Repeat as needed.

Mealybugs

The problem: Soft-bodied pests that look like bits of white cotton clinging to stems and leaf joints.

What to watch for: Fuzzy white clusters, sticky leaf surfaces, slowed growth or curling leaves

Treatment: Dab individual bugs with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol. For heavier infestations, follow up with weekly applications of neem oil or insecticidal soap.

Scale Insects

The problem: Brown or tan shell-like bumps that are actually insects attached to the plant, sucking sap and weakening growth.

What to watch for: Raised, immobile bumps on stems or leaves, yellowing or wilting leaves, sticky residue on nearby surfaces

Treatment: Remove manually with your fingernail or a toothbrush. Treat affected areas with rubbing alcohol and neem oil. Multiple treatments are often needed for full control.