BEAT THE BUGS

Bringing the outside in with indoor plants is all well and good, but how do you avoid an insect invasion in your home?

- ANGELA YOUNG

TOP TIPS

1 Make sure to repot your house plants every 12–18 months.

2 Mulch the top of the pots with a bark chip or similar.

3 Don’t overwater.

4 Use products such as Eco Oil, PestOil and neem oil as directed.

5 Clean plants with a damp cloth to remove foliage pests.

Foliage around the house can be calming, detoxifying and aesthetically pleasing, but an outbreak of insects indoors could make it all more effort than it’s worth. Taking certain precautions, however, can ensure you won’t need to worry about that problem arising.

Landscape and permaculture designer and educator Narelle Happ teaches workshops on all aspects of gardening, from growing your own food, to native bush foods and indoor gardening. She says that the key way to avoid a battle of the bugs is to make sure you’re buying healthy plants in the first place. “A healthy plant potted into premium quality potting mix will start its life healthy,” she says, recommending you join a plant society that can help troubleshoot any problems when they arise.