How to Kill Bugs in Houseplant Soil

Observe your houseplants carefully for any signs of damage or yellowing of leaves. Often, the bugs will come out of the soil when you water the plant.

Place the pot in a bowl of water to saturate the soil completely. This will make the soil unattractive for bugs that live in the soil.

Wipe the plant with a solution of mild detergent and water. Make this weak solution by adding 1/2 teaspoon of the detergent in one quart of lukewarm water. Wiping dislodges a small number of bugs from the plant.

Place sticky traps on the soil surface. This will capture flying bugs, such as whiteflies, winged aphids and thrips, which land on them. Some bugs lay their eggs in the soil and their larvae can cause damage to the root system of the plant.

Sprinkle diatomaceous earth on the soil's surface. Once the bugs walk on the diatomaceous earth, it will cause tears in the exoskeleton of the bugs, causing them to lose moisture, resulting in dehydration and death.

Spray insecticide on the plant and soil. Read the insecticide label carefully to ensure that you are using the right one for your plant. Use this as a last resort if there are too many bugs in the soil and all the above methods are not working.