How to Get Rid of Borers on Artillery Plant

The artillery plant scientifically known as Pilea microphylla is a popular houseplant prized for its decorative cascading leaves. However, artillery plant owners often struggle with infestations of borers – tiny insects that tunnel into the plant’s stems and leaves. An untreated borer infestation can seriously damage or even kill your beloved artillery plant.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore effective methods to identify, control, and eliminate borers on artillery plants. By taking prompt action, you can rescue your plant and restore its health and beauty.

What Are Borers?

Borers are a type of insect that belongs to various species within the order Lepidoptera. The adult insects are typically moths, and they lay eggs on the stems and leaves of plants. When the eggs hatch, the larvae bore into the plant tissue and feed within the stems or roots as they develop.

Some of the most common borers that affect houseplants like artillery plant include:

• Red palm weevil
• Yucca borer
• Iris borer
• Agave borer

These borers damage plants by

• Tunneling and feeding inside the tissues
• Disrupting nutrient and water flow
• Providing entry points for disease
• Weakening and destroying the structural integrity

Left uncontrolled, borers can rapidly kill a houseplant. Young, stressed, or unhealthy plants are especially vulnerable.

Signs of Borer Infestation

Be on the lookout for these common signs that your artillery plant may have become infested with borers:

• Small holes in stems or stalks with sawdust-like frass around the holes
• Hollowed out stems that are weak and easily crushed
• Sudden wilting or death of stems
• Evidence of tunnels inside the stalks when cut
• Chewed holes in leaves
• Premature leaf drop
• Plant decline or dieback

Early detection gives you the best chance of saving your plant, so inspect regularly and take action at the first sign of borers.

How to Get Rid of Borers on Artillery Plants

When you discover borers in your artillery plant, implement control methods right away to eliminate them. Here are the most effective ways to get rid of borers and restore your plant’s health:

Remove Infested Plant Parts

Prune away any stems, leaves, or roots that show clear evidence of borer damage. Remove all plant matter at least 6 inches below signs of infestation. Sterilize pruning tools before each cut with rubbing alcohol to avoid spreading the infestation.

Destroy all infested material – do not compost it. Prompt removal limits the borers’ ability to spread through the rest of the plant.

Use Neem Oil

Neem oil is a natural insecticide that can protect plants and kill many types of immature insects when applied preventatively. It also disrupts the life cycle of borers by deterring adults from laying eggs.

Coat the stems and leaves with neem oil every 1-2 weeks using a spray bottle. This creates a protective barrier against reinfestation after removing affected parts.

Apply Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis)

This microbial insecticide specifically targets leaf-eating and boring caterpillars when ingested, but is safe for people and pets. Spray Bti onto vulnerable artillery plants every 5-7 days to kill borer larvae.

Introduce Beneficial Nematodes

Beneficial entomopathogenic nematodes prey on borer larvae living inside plant tissues. Apply them to the soil around infested plants according to label directions. The nematodes actively hunt the larvae and provide ongoing control.

Monitor for Adults

Use pheromone traps to capture adult borers and gain valuable insight into infestation levels. Sticky traps can also help monitor populations when hung near vulnerable plants. Destroy any trapped moths.

Maintain Plant Health

Healthy, vigorous plants are more resistant to borers. Ensure artillery plants get proper light, nutrients, moisture, and care to prevent weakness that invites borers. Avoid stressing plants.

With persistence and multiple control tactics, you can eliminate borers from your artillery plant. The key is intervening at the first sign of infestation before it has a chance to intensify.

How to Prevent Borer Infestations

Prevention is the best approach for protecting artillery plants from destructive borers. Here are some tips to avoid infestations:

• Inspect new plants closely before bringing them home

• Quarantine new plants away from existing collections

• Remove and destroy any eggs or larvae found

• Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap preventatively

• Use pheromone traps around susceptible plants

• Eliminate stressed, damaged, or diseased plants

• Keep the grow area clean and remove plant debris

• Avoid excessive pruning that creates entry points

• Promote optimal growing conditions year-round

• Monitor regularly for early signs of borers

With diligence, you can safeguard your beloved artillery plant and prevent borers from ever taking hold.

Options for Organic Borer Treatments

If you prefer to use organic methods, there are several effective natural options for controlling borers:

• Diatomaceous earth: The razor-sharp fossils shred the insects’ exoskeletons and kill larvae when applied directly. Avoid breathing in the dust.

• Kaolin clay: This fine white clay coats plants in a physical barrier that deters borers. It also irritates them upon contact.

• Garlic oil: The sulfur compounds repel and kill borers. Use a diluted spray every 5-7 days on vulnerable plants.

• Insecticidal soap: Potassium salts of fatty acids penetrate soft larval tissue and cause cell damage. Totally safe for plants.

• Spinosad: This biological insecticide made from bacteria kills borers via ingestion or contact without harming plants.

With some trial and error, you can discover organic solutions that work for your infestation. Just be sure to take prompt action at the first sign of borers.

When to Call a Professional Exterminator

In severe artillery plant borer infestations, the damage may be too extensive for home control measures to resolve. Signs it’s time to call in a professional exterminator include:

• Borers severely impacting entire collections or valuabl