How to Get Rid of Insects That Are Eating a Money Tree

Small Insects

• 1

  Use a magnifying glass to search for minute insects such as mites, aphids and mealybugs. These insects may leave small holes or spots behind. They also stunt and distort the leaves and leave a sticky substance on the foliage called honeydew that attracts ants.

• 2

  Use a strong spray of water to dislodge tiny insects. Use the garden hose on outdoor money trees. Take houseplants to the shower or use the spray attachment on the kitchen sink to spray the plants. Take large houseplants outside and use the garden hose.

• 3

  Dip a soft cloth in a mixture of 1 quart of warm water and 1/2 teaspoon of dish detergent. Wipe the money plant's leaves to wash small insects off the plant. Once dislodged, the insects can't find their way back to the foliage.

• 4

  Use the shears or pruning clippers to cut away heavily infested areas of the money tree. Place the cuttings into plastic trash bags to keep the insects contained. Take the cuttings outside and away from the garden. Destroy the cuttings to kill the insects.

• 5

  Apply insecticides if organic measures don't work. Look for products containing permethrin, bifenthrin, pyrethrins, neem oil or extracts containing oil of thyme, clove, cotton seed or garlic. Insecticidal soaps also work, but must come in contact with the insect and have no residual property. Mix, if necessary, and pour the insecticide into a spray bottle for houseplants, or a pump or power sprayer for outdoor money trees. Follow label directions for best results.

Large Insects

• 6

  Check the foliage for larger insect pests. Grasshoppers, caterpillars, millipedes and beetles are readily visible, and use their chewing mouthparts to rip pieces out of the foliage and eat it. These insects attack indoor and outdoor money trees and leave ragged holes and tears in the leaves. In time, the insects may completely defoliate the plant.

• 7

  Pick the insects off by hand and drop them in a bucket of soapy water to kill them. Wear gloves to handle caterpillars, because some caterpillars have hair-like projections that can deliver a painful sting to bare hands.

• 8

  Use an insecticide formulated to control the type of insect attacking your plant. Hard-shelled, flying insects such as beetles are difficult to control. Use a poison the insect will ingest as it feeds. Since flying insects are mobile, killing the ones on the plant one day doesn't mean that new ones won't arrive the next day. Cutworms feed at the soil level; use a soil drench pesticide to control them.