Something Is Eating My Indoor Plants at Night – Identifying and Stopping Nocturnal Houseplant Pests

As a houseplant enthusiast, I was heartbroken to find bite marks and holes in the leaves of my indoor plants. After some research, I discovered that something had been feasting on my beautiful plants at night!

The culprits turned out to be common household pests that like to chomp on houseplants when the lights go out. By learning to identify these nocturnal nuisances, you can take steps to protect your plants. Here’s how to find out what’s been eating your indoor plants at night and keep them safe.

What Eats Plants at Night?

Several indoor plant pests do their dirty work in the dark when you’re not watching. Here are some of the most likely nighttime plant nibblers:

• Crickets – Attracted to the moisture crickets will happily munch on leaves and roots. Listen for their chirping at night to identify them.

• Earwigs – These creepy-looking insects with big pincers on their rear end feed at night and hide out in dark, damp areas during the day.

• Millipedes and Centipedes – While mostly harmless to plants, these many-legged creatures might take an occasional bite. Centipedes are predatory and also attack insects on plants.

• Slugs and Snails – Leaving behind telltale slime trails, these gastropods eat holes in leaves overnight when you’re asleep

• Caterpillars – The larval stage of moths and butterflies, caterpillars are voracious eaters that can decimate a plant quickly.

• Beetles – There are many species that can infest houseplants and chew through leaves and roots Watch for white grubs in the soil

• Thrips – Tiny winged insects that suck juices from leaves and flowers, thrips hide on the undersides of leaves. You may see black dots of excrement.

Check Plants for Evidence of Pests

Start by thoroughly inspecting plants during the day for any signs of night feeding. Look for:

• Irregular holes in leaves, flowers, or stems
• Jagged edges or skeletonized leaves
• Silvery trails on leaves
• Cracked stems
• Excrement dots
• Slime trails
• Caterpillars or insects on the plant
• Bugs in the soil
• Damaged roots, bulbs, or tubers

Pay extra attention to the undersides of leaves and the junction where leaves meet stems. Check soil as well for bugs.

Set Traps to Catch Nighttime Plant Pests

Traps are an easy way to confirm which pests are nibbling your plants after dark:

• Place upside down cups in the soil. Earwigs, slugs, snails, and other crawling bugs will take shelter there during the day.

• Wrap double-sided tape around containers to snare insects.

• Set out small dishes of beer to attract and drown slugs and snails.

• Hang sticky yellow cards to catch flying pests like fungus gnats and whiteflies.

• Sprinkle a ring of diatomaceous earth around pots to deter crawling insects. The sharp powder will cut their bodies.

Check traps in the morning to see which pests are in your plant habitat. Finding them early makes them easier to get rid of.

Deter Pests with Good Housekeeping

Making your plant environment less hospitable to pests is key. Follow these housekeeping tips:

• Remove leaf litter, weeds, stones, and debris to eliminate pest hiding spots.

• Prune away dead leaves and stems where bugs can reside.

• Space plants properly to allow air circulation.

• Water plants from below and keep foliage dry.

• Fix any leaks and ensure proper drainage.

• Add sticky barriers like petroleum jelly on surfaces.

• Keep exterior doors and windows closed at night and install screens.

Apply Pesticides Selectively

If cultural controls don’t protect plants sufficiently, you may need to turn to chemical pesticides. Some effective and safer options include:

• Insecticidal soaps – Designed to control soft-bodied insects like aphids, whiteflies, and mites. Spray directly on bugs.

• Neem oil – Derived from the neem tree, it repels and kills many chewing and sucking insects. Also kills eggs and larvae.

• Diatomaceous earth – The sharp powder injures the exoskeleton of soft-bodied insects. Use around pots and on soil.

• Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) – This biological insecticide kills caterpillars when they ingest it but is safe for people.

• Slug and snail bait – Contains iron phosphate which is safe for pets but lethal to mollusks. Scatter around pots.

Always follow label directions carefully when using any pesticide. Apply them in the evening to control night feeders.

Encourage Natural Predators

Nature provides some excellent nighttime defenders such as:

• Ladybugs – Adults and larvae feast on aphids, mealybugs, and other soft pests.

• Lacewings – The larvae have large, hollow mandibles that puncture soft-bodied insects and suck out their insides.

• Beetles – Ground beetles and rove beetles devour slugs, snails, eggs, and larvae in the soil.

• Microscopic nematodes – Effective against slugs, ants, grubs, and pot worms. Add them to moist soil.

• Geckos – Help control insects if these harmless lizards live in your home.

You can buy live beneficial insects to release or create an inviting environment with nectar plants. Turning on a night light can attract the “good guys.”

Set Physical Barriers

For vulnerable plants, create physical barriers to protect them from nighttime nibblers:

• Cover soil surface with sand, perlite, gravel, or decorative pebbles which deters crawling insects.

• Wrap aluminum foil or copper tape around pots and surfaces to block snails and slugs.

• Place seedlings inside cut-off plastic bottles or mesh cages.

• Cover plants with fabric row cover or transparent plastic cloches.

• Use floating row covers over aquatic plants.

• Apply horticulture glue or petroleum jelly to stems to stop insects from climbing.

Check New Plants Thoroughly

Finally, be very careful about bringing new plants home. Always inspect them closely for signs of pests and quarantine them for a few weeks before introducing to your existing indoor garden. Repotting with sterile soil is wise as well.

While the thought of bugs eating your beautiful plants at night may be unpleasant, a little vigilance goes a long way. Inspect plants regularly, set traps, make your home inhospitable to pests, enlist natural allies, and take protective measures. With some diligence, you can enjoy your indoor garden without unwanted dinner guests. Happy growing!