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Despite my best efforts I've had problems over the years with spider mites, mealy bugs, aphids and other unwanted and destructive house plant pests. Here are a few tips to help you avoid dealing such nasties that I learned the hard way.

1. Inspect before you buy (or accept freebies). Even the best nursery can have a bad batch of plants delivered. Or, much to my shame, I shared houseplants with friends that unbeknownst to me harbored spider mites on them. It's very difficult to see spider mites (that's my story and I'm sticking with it). A very reputable nursery in our town had to shut down for an entire season because of a spider mite infestation. Unfortunately for me, I purchased some of the plants before the nursery discovered them and gave a couple of the healthy-looking Impatiens to friends.

2. Shower new plants (except for African Violets, they hate water on their leaves). If you have a sprayer on your sink, wash all the leaves. Or take a damp cloth and wipe gently wipe the foliage. Large leaves on foliage plants are easy to clean this way and you'll remove any dust or insects or their eggs that the plant may have gathered during transport.

3. After you've given the new plant a bath, keep it in quarantine for a week or two. I do this in my spare bathroom. After about ten days I carefully check it for signs of insects or disease. One way do detect spider mites is to take a clean, white tissue and wipe the leaves, then look at the tissue - if it's clean, your ready to introduce the newbie to her family, if there are tiny little red dead things on the plant you'll either have to treat it (systemic insecticide is the only real way to get rid of spider mites) or to go the euthanasia route. This may sound extreme, but it's much easier to keep a new plant in isolation for a while than getting rid of an insect infestation.

4. Once a month place your houseplants in the bath tub and give them a gentle, tepid shower. Let them sit there over night to dry. This is the best method I've found to prevent pests from getting a grip on your plants.

5. Keep your houseplants in tip top health. Spider mites thrive on plants where the humidity is too low. (I know I seemed obsesses with them, and if you've dealt with them you'll know why). Mist your plants once a day.

6. Treatment. If you suspect aphids or other insects, toss some fresh garlic and hot (like habanera hot) peppers into your blender with two cups of water and process until the garlic and peppers are very finely chopped. Let the mixture sit in a CLEARLY LABLED container (not a pleasant beverage for humans) over night, then strain the mixture into a mister bottle and mist your plants. this combo will kill most pests and discourage any that may be waiting in the 'wings'.

Learn more about this author, Pat Merewether.
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