Kentia palms are very robust palms that rarely get sick. Pests are more likely to cause problems for the palm tree. When do pests appear more often, how do you recognize them and what can you do if they are infested?
Which pests can attack Kentia palms and how can you control them?
Pests that affect Kentia palms can include scale insects, spider mites, mealybugs and thrips. To combat them, affected plants should be isolated and the fronds gently showered with lukewarm water or cleaned with soft brushes and alcohol. Increased humidity in the room helps preventatively.
What pests can occur?
- Scale insects
- Spider mites
- Mealybugs
- Thrips
The sooner you discover a pest infestation, the easier it is to combat it. Therefore, check the leaves of the Kentia palm regularly.
How to recognize the pests on your Kentia palm
You should inspect the palm for pest infestation at the latest when the leaves of the Kentia palm turn yellow, dry out or look stunted.
Scale insects can usually be seen with the naked eye. The best way to discover spider mites, on the other hand, is to spray the fronds with water. You will then find small webs in the leaf axils. Mealybugs and thrips leave sticky marks on the fronds. Thrips are also often found on the undersides of leaves.
Take pest infestation immediately
As soon as you discover pests on the Kentia palm, you should take action. The longer you wait, the more the uninvited guests spread. Isolate infected plants immediately to keep other houseplants he althy.
If possible, rinse the Kentia palm fronds with lukewarm water in the shower to rinse off the pests. However, the water jet should not be too hard. In stubborn cases, attack the lice, mites and thrips with soft brushes (€11.00 on Amazon) or cotton swabs and a little alcohol.
Cover the pot with foil before taking the Kentia palm into the shower. Otherwise, fallen pests could hide there and spread again.
Prevent pests
Pests mainly occur when the Kentia palm is in a location with very low humidity. Pest infestations are more common, especially in winter when the rooms are heated.
Increase the humidity in the room by regularly spraying the leaves of the Kentia palm with lukewarm, lime-free water. It is also helpful to place bowls of water near the pots.
Tip
Kentia palms are sensitive to most control sprays. It is better to use special plant sticks against pests that are inserted into the plant substrate.