I Have Little Tiny Black Bugs Around My Peace Lily

The Usual Suspects

• Mealybugs are the most common bugs that molest your Peace lilies. They are a dark brown to black little bug and are often found on the undersides of the leaves. Mites and scales can also be problems, but they tend to appear green or white, although they can encourage the growth of sooty mold, which may appear as black spots on the underside of the leaves. A black film or coating on the leaves is evidence that insects have been attacking your plant.

Causes

• Peace lilies are sensitive to both over- and underwatering. Either condition can cause leaf droop and weaken the stems of the plant. An unhealthy plant is a plant that is vulnerable to insect pests. The soil should be moist, not wet. They need very little fertilizer.

Prevention

• Check the plant at least once a month for bugs or leaf damage. Check that the leaf color is dark green, and that the leaf is firm and free of damage and bugs. If the leaves show wilt, droop or develop yellow edges, check the soil moisture and correct if it is too dry or wet. Peace lilies prefer bright filtered light. Direct sun can burn them and damage the plant. If the plant appears stunted, it may have a magnesium deficiency, which can also cause the leaves to yellow between the veins. Overfertilization can make the leaves turn brown, and too little light can cause the plant not to flower. Prevention is mostly about keeping the plant happy and living under the right conditions.

Maintenance

• Proper maintenance will help keep the insect pests at bay. If you fertilize, use a 20-20-20 liquid houseplant solution every two or three months. Make sure the plant stays in a warm place between 65 and 85 degrees at all times. Soil should be moist, but never soggy and should be allowed to dry out between waterings. Don't let the soil dry out too much, or the plant will wilt. Always use water that is at room temperature.

Treatment

• A commercial oil spray works best as an all-purpose cure for killing all kinds of bugs and removing sooty mold. A homemade solution of 3 tbsp. of dish detergent and 2 tbsp. of cooking oil in a gallon of water also works. Shake it up and mist the plants with it. Be sure and spread plastic around the plant while misting to avoid damage caused by overspray. Test a leaf before you spray the whole plant to make sure your solution isn't too strong and burns the leaf.