Killing bugs hiding in potted plants soil?

[Hardypalms]

Hi

I drag my palms in and out of the house in the winter depending on weather.

We just noticed hitchhikers. What can i put in the soil to prevent bringing them inside?

Eco friendly and free or cheap better.

But will use heavy stuff f needed

ThXs

1,

[JohnAndSancho]

Depends on what kind of bugs, I guess. I didn't have too many issues bringing my pots inside, but I only brought them in when it got cold... And I lived in an upstairs apartment. 

[Hardypalms]

Ok thxs

[Rivera]

A diluted neem oil soil drench will probably be effective.

Neem oil isn't cheap, but if you buy the pure stuff and not the pre-diluted spray it will last you a long time and be economical from that perspective. 

If you're really strapped, diluted castile soap applied similarly may be effective, though probably less so than the neem. 

[Hardypalms]

I have the concentrated neem oil. Do you know how many tbl spoons per gallons?

 

Thxs a lot

Pat

[Rivera]

4 hours ago, Hardypalms said:

I have the concentrated neem oil. Do you know how many tbl spoons per gallons?

 

Thxs a lot

Pat

Pat, see photos of label here, looks like 3-6 tbsp/gal for soil drench. This is the Bonide brand, which says 70% neem oil. Not sure what the other 30% is!

[Hardypalms]

Yours has better instructions than mine.

Thxs for the dosage and the pics.

Pat 👍🏻

[Palmlover_78]

Hello, I drown my Palms when i bring them in from outside. All you do is fill a tub with water put the pot in the tub up to the soil level. keep it submerged for at least two hours. Drain the tub of water and let the pot drain, as it will be quite heavy.

[Hardypalms]

Ok that sounds great

Thxs