Do Ferns Attract Bugs?

Can Ferns attract bugs?

When you see something wrong with this plant, you often wonder if it’s caused by any bugs in the garden.

If you are new to growing ferns at home, you will surely get confused as to how to identify and fix some of the unfamiliar bugs on this plant.

In the following guide, I have tried to share some tips on how you should go about this whole process.

Hopefully, you will be able to address the bugs related problems with these suggestions.

So, let’s check out the guide below.

Do Ferns Attract Bugs?

Well, the ferns do not attract any bugs on their own, but you will often see this plant getting affected by the common bugs in the gardening world.

Since many insects feed on the sap released from the plant’s branches and stems, it’s not an unusual thing to see them on this plant.

As mentioned earlier, these bugs are pretty common in the garden, and they affect most plants in your indoor and outdoor garden.

Having said that, you can easily fix these issues if you identify them quickly.

Identification is the key to addressing such issues in your plants.

If you delay this process or identify the bugs incorrectly, you may also have to throw the plant away in the end.

Because the infestation can spread pretty fast in a host plant.

So, what are the typical bugs that attack Fern plants?

In the next section, you will find out more about it.

Types Of Bugs On Fern Plants

Here’s a list of bugs that are often found on the Fern plants –

1. Aphids
2. Thrips
3. Mealybugs
4. Scale
5. Mites
6. Nematodes
7. Caterpillars
8. Snails 

Now, let’s see how you can fix them with some useful gardening practices.

9 Tips To Fix Bugs On Ferns

Here’s how to tackle the aforementioned bugs in your Fern – 

1. Pick Them Up And Discard Them Immediately

In the case of Mealybugs, Snails, etc., you can just pick them up from the soil or stems and throw them away.

This is an ideal thing to do during the initial stages, as it helps in preventing the spread of some of these bugs.

Do wear garden gloves or use cotton swabs to get rid of these bugs off your fern plants.

Also, wash your hands with soap after performing this garden task.

2. Use Rubbing Alchohol Spray

The rubbing alcohol spray works great against several bugs problem in the garden.

If your Fern plant is affected by some of the bugs mentioned in this guide, you should definitely use this spray.

The rubbing alcohol works best against Mealybugs, Scales, and Aphids.

However, it may not be very effective for the Snails or Slugs problem.

3. Use Soap Water Spray

The soap water spray is a proven method to deal with issues like Mealybugs and Scales.

But you can also use it for controlling Thrips and Aphids. 

It might also be effective against Whiteflies and Mites.

This type of spray is a preliminary solution for the issue, and you may or may not get the desired results from it. 

For better results, you can opt for other solutions listed in this guide.

4. Use Neem Oil Spray

Neem oil has been in use for a really long time, and it’s considered one of the best tools to deal with the bugs and fungus issues in plants.

If you feel there is a bug problem with your Fern plant, you should think of using a Neem oil spray on it.

It will help in getting rid of some of the deadliest bug attacks on the plant.

As for the usage, the spray should always be used in a diluted form.

Do not make a concentrated solution to spray on your plant, as it will burn the tender leaves and branches.

Also, it needs to be applied a couple of times for better efficacy, but make sure you spray it with a gap of a week or so.

Avoid spraying your plant every other day with this spray.

5. Use Eggshells To Prevent Snails

Eggshells not only help with calcium for the soil, but you can also use them to deter snails and slugs.

For this to work, you will need to spread crushed eggshells in the soil.

Do not use them in the powdered form, though.

When you place the crushed ones, the snails and slugs do not like their sharp edges.

Hence, they move away from this type of surface.

It’s a great natural way to deal with this issue in your Fern plant.

Of course, you should also spray some Neem oil on the plant along with it.

It will help achieve the desired results quickly.

6. Reduce Moisture Around The Plant

That’s right!

Moisture is the one factor that can really make things worse while dealing with such issues.

Many times the bugs get attracted to plants with damp soil.

These are the ideal conditions for them to thrive in.

So, it becomes imperative for you to work on reducing the moisture around your plant.

And the best way to achieve these conditions is to provide less water to your indoor Fern plant.

Never overwater your plant, and let the surface dry out completely before watering it next time.

7. Keep It In An Airy And Bright Place

It’s the other way to achieve the same results for your plant.

When you feel the soil is wet and the plant is affected by some bugs, you should quickly move it to a place where it can receive sufficient sunlight and air.

These are the two most desired conditions for indoor plants.

While spraying is important, you should definitely place the plant in an appropriate location.

8. Prune The Infested Parts Of The Plant

Pruning also helps greatly when the infestation goes out of control.

However, you need to perform this task skillfully.

You should never cut off the branches that are fresh and alive.

You should only remove the ones that are heavily infested and may not survive for long.

Once you perform this task, inspect the leaves of all the branches thoroughly.

The bugs may hide under the leaves of the plant while you carry out this task.

9. Discard The Plant Completely

It may sound a bit harsh, but you should definitely consider throwing your plant at some stage.

When there is a lot of infestation on the plant, and the leaves and branches look deformed, it’s time to get rid of the plant.

If you don’t do this task immediately, there is a possibility that the bugs will move to a new plant in the garden.

This is a typical characteristic of these bugs, as they need more resources to feed and continue their lifecycle.

So, if you really want to break the chain, you need to remove the affected plant from the garden.

If not, you should at least isolate it in a different room or balcony.

Make sure it’s far away from other plants.

Once you do that, you can work on the affected plant and try to fix the problem entirely.

Alright, now, let’s have a look at the FAQs related to this topic.

FAQs