in a corner inside the house, i had a few african violets some months ago and they got infested with what looked like white lice. i threw them all away because i was afraid the other plants will get infested, too. i also had 2 bigger plants in that same corner. this week, i saw one of these plants getting lots of what-looked like lice eggs. i tried to spray the plant with soap-water solution but it didnt help. everyday i see more and more eggs and lice esp in younger leaves. today, i threw this plant away. i want to ask experts here, should i clean the corner where the infested plants were with some special insecticide? if yes, how is the application? are my other plants inside the house at risk of getting infested although they are feet away from the corner? one other plant is standing in this corner (image below). so far i havent seen any lice so is this plant resistant to lice? or is it just a matter of time before it gets the lice?
Hello Josephine, I doubt that the insect that you found on your African violets was lice, but rather one of the many pests that cause damage to African violets. Visit this link for more information. Cyclamen mites, thrips and mealy bugs are the most common pests of African violet. (The link for the cyclamen mite and thrips does not show the image until you click on the blank thumbnail). It is important to identify the pest before you try to control it. Once an insect pest has moved indoors, any susceptible plants can become infested, just as the plants in the vicinity of your African violet did. It could be that eggs, not visible to the naked eye, are laid in the soil, along the stem or on the leaves. Without close monitoring, a plant can quickly become infested. It is not likely that your pest has laid eggs in the corner of your room, but rather that the pest may have found another host plant. However, insects have a taste for some plants, and not others. If you can identify the pest you may find that your other house plants are not hosts to that insect and it may no longer be a problem. You probably made a wise choice in throwing away your plants (sometimes the only method of control with a severe infestation). Monitor your other house plants closely. In the mean time have a look at the links provided and attempt to identify the insect so that if there is another outbreak you can apply the correct method of control. As a preventative measure keep your plants healthy with adequate water. Remove debris from the pots and dead leaves from the stem. Raakel
i checked the link and other websites and looks like what i had was aphids (Spirea A.). i will keep watch on my other plants. thank you for your advice.
