Eradicate Gnats, mites and mealies!

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Permethrin 36%

If you have plants odds are you’ve come across spider mites, aphids, gnats and all sorts of creepy crawlies.  Not only are they a nuisance to you but they can often be deadly and dangerous to the health of your plant. As a long time grower, I’ve tried multiple products from big box stores as well as natural treatments and none of them worked with any sense of urgency or efficiency.

 

I decided to start treating houseplants with Permethrin 36% as my go to method for total and utter pest eradication. Permethrin is a synthetic chrysanthemum compound and it directly attacks the neuro system of pretty much anything that has an exoskeleton. Often used for livestock in 10% and 13% for the treatments of lice and mites on animals and humans, 36% is generally used for around the exterior of the house to keep away ants, roaches and other household bugs.

 

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Where you can order permethrin

You can typically find 10% or 13% at Tractor Supply, Country Max and/or most farm and feed stores, 36% is a professional insecticide and usually isn’t available locally at hardware supply companies but may be found at lawn care companies.  I use Solutions Pest (online) since they’re often the cheapest and with free 3 day shipping, it’s unbeatable. If you’re in a state that Solutions Pest cannot ship to, check Chewy/Petsmart and other companies, they seem to be able to ship where a “pest control company” cannot. I am unsure of why one company can ship but others cannot so that’s something you may want to look into.

Before using Permethrin (in any concentration) you should read through the manufacturer’s recommendations as well as precautions. It’s toxic to cats, birds and other small rodents, not to mention it should be used sparingly for barrier treatment around the exterior of your house rather than yard wide as it will kill bees and butterflies.  Permethrin 36% does kill both live and larvae and a little bit goes a long way.

For houseplants, it’s pretty much everything you want in a pest control solution. It’s easy to mix, easy to apply and it eradicates gnats, mites and aphids in about 10-15 minutes. The ratio is one ounce to one gallon, and that treats around 50 plants depending on pot size. I personally prefer to mix permethrin in a gallon container and then transfer into a decent water bottle that has a good soaker setting on it as well as a super fine mist.

Treatment for Gnats

For gnats, you want to wait about a day or two after you should have watered, and then use a healthy amount on the top layer of soil until it soaks down the nest layer of the soil. Give it a gentle soil mist and lower leaf mist for good measure, rinse/repeat at day eleven to interrupt the lifecycle of the gnat.  Day twenty-one is optional, but if you’re seeing a few stragglers it’s a good idea just to ensure they’re not hatching the next generation.

If you’re more of a visual person and/or just want to see how it all works, please check out our DIY application video here.

Treatment for spider mites

For the treatment of spider mites I find that it works the best with a spray bottle that has a very fine mist on it. I remove the affected plant outside, at night after the sun has set, and mist ALL the leaves.  You want to ensure you get the top and bottom side of the leaves, concentrating on the apex of the leaf to stem where spider mites like to congregate.  I do this for 3 days in a row since spider mites do hide in itty bitty areas.  Once day 4 arrives I wipe down all the leaves with a clean wash cloth or qtip, depending on the size and type of the plants. Since spider mites is a heavy handed application you want to do so in a well ventilated area and as always, wash/clean your clothing and person after using it. 

Treatment for aphids

For the treatment of aphids it’s generally a combination of the same method for gnats and mites.  You want to treat the soil with a heavier hand and the leaves with a gentle mist.

Treatment for mealies

For the treatment of mealies you’ll want to use 2 oz of permethrin to 1 gallon of water.  Mealies tend to be immune to insecticides but they do succumb to a double strength of permethrin.  You’ll want to mist the leaves and soak the soil. Treat day 1 and again day 7 to interrupt the lifecycle. You may want to avoid watering during the two treatments if possible so the soil will soak up the permethrin and eradicate the larvae. 

 

Permethrin toxicity

While permethrin is generally non-toxic to humans, it’s a good idea to wear a pair of gloves, mask and wash up after using permethrin to avoid any allergic reaction.  As with all pesticides you want to ensure that pets and children are not in the vicinity.

 

 

**DISCLAIMER**

Smartass Plant Moms and its representatives, along with any affiliates, want to make it clear that we are not aware of the specific legal regulations regarding the usage of Permethrin 36% on a state-to-state basis. However, it’s important to note that these regulations can vary widely from one state to another, and it is the responsibility of each individual user to conduct their own research and adjust their actions accordingly.

While the label on the product may indicate the need for a professional license to apply it commercially in public spaces, in our state, this requirement only applies to those engaged in lawn and landscaping services, specific pest control services, or other activities in common areas open to the general public, private residences by the user are excluded from this requirement. According to information from our local Agriculture Extension office, these requirements do not apply to personal, individual use on houseplants. Nevertheless, we strongly advise checking the rules and regulations specific to your own state, as they may differ.

 

Q:  What insects does permethrin kill?

Anything with an exoskeleton including but not limited to lice, mites, louse, ticks, cockroaches, bedbugs, spiders, butterflies, bees, worms, beetles, etc. Anything that has an exoskeleton will be affected by permethrin which is why it’s important to only use in controlled settings and very sparingly when using outside.

Q: What is the mix ratio?

For anything in the houseplant category one ounce to a gallon of water is sufficient.  It reduces the concentration to about 2.5% permethrin.  For anything else you’ll want to follow the suggested recommendations in the pamphlet attached to your bottle for the best results.

Q: Does it burn plant leaves?

While it doesn’t burn the leaves on application, having direct sunlight after spraying can cause burn spots.  It’s a good idea to apply at night to prevent unintentional burning.

Q: Is it safe for pets?

Yes and no.  Birds, rodents, and cats wet permethrin is highly toxic.  When it’s dry, according to the manufacturer, it’s not toxic.  However if you’re using it in an aerosolized application such as a spray bottle, you want to keep any small pets away from the area you’re spraying.

It is not toxic to dogs and in a reduced capacity has been used for flea control. The manufacturer’s pamphlet does have the dilution rates for flea and tick treatments for humans and dogs based on weight.

Q: How long do I have to wait to water my plants after treating?

You should wait 24-48hrs to water your plant, especially if you treated for gnats.

Q: How often should I treat?

When you see a problem! Every new plant that you bring into your home should be pretreated and quarantined separately for at least 30 days.  After 5 days, spider mites may appear.  After 7-10, gnats may appear. 12-17 days aphids may appear. 21 days, any potential bacteria or fungal infection will appear.

As a standard  you should treat any new addition to your collection with permethrin to mitigate any potential outbreak of pests.  Day one and day eleven.  By day 17-21 you should have seen an appearance of any pest that has taken up residency.

To use as a preventative, mist the soil once a month between watering and it should keep aphids and gnats completely away.  Spider mites however you’ll want to check for every week!

Q: Should I hose my plants off after treatment?

You can but it’s unnecessary.  If you do want to rinse them off, wait 48 hours to do so. Permethrin doesn’t leave much of a residual behind on the leaves unless you soaked them.  If you did, it’s a good idea to wipe the leaves with water and an appropriate cloth/qtip etc.  When applying, you want to attempt to avoid unfurled or partially unfurled leaves.