Pest identification
What's eating my boston fern?
Spider mites
Signs: Pale stippling and webbing throughout fronds; mass shedding in dry or heated indoor air
Control: Raise humidity with a pebble tray or humidifier; shower the whole plant; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 5–7 days for three to four rounds
Mealybugs
Signs: White cottony clusters at the crown and frond bases; sticky honeydew and sooty mould
Control: Swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray the crown and bases with insecticidal soap; quarantine and repeat weekly
Scale insects
Signs: Brown or tan waxy bumps along frond stems; yellowing fronds and general decline
Control: Scrape off manually with a soft brush; wipe stems with neem oil on a cloth; follow up every two weeks
Fungus gnats
Signs: Larvae destroy fine roots in wet compost; adults congregate near the pot
Control: Let the top centimetre of compost dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bti drench for larval infestations
Keep boston fern pest-free
Healthy plants resist pests best. Get the basics right:
- What eats boston fern — the species this cultivar belongs to
- What eats boston fern — our other guide for the same plant
- What's wrong with my plant? — the diagnosis apps compared
- Common boston fern problems & fixes
- Boston Fern watering schedule
- Boston Fern light requirements
- Full boston fern care guide
Boston Fern pests — FAQ
What is eating my boston fern?
Boston Fern is one of the most pest-susceptible houseplant ferns. Spider mites and mealybugs are the most common threats, thriving in the dense frond mass. Scale colonises petioles, and fungus gnats exploit constantly moist compost. The arching habit makes inspection tricky — regularly part the fronds and check the crown and pot surface.
How do I get rid of spider mites on boston fern?
Pale stippling and webbing throughout fronds; mass shedding in dry or heated indoor air Raise humidity with a pebble tray or humidifier; shower the whole plant; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil spray every 5–7 days for three to four rounds
How do I get rid of mealybugs on boston fern?
White cottony clusters at the crown and frond bases; sticky honeydew and sooty mould Swab with 70% isopropyl alcohol; spray the crown and bases with insecticidal soap; quarantine and repeat weekly
How do I get rid of scale insects on boston fern?
Brown or tan waxy bumps along frond stems; yellowing fronds and general decline Scrape off manually with a soft brush; wipe stems with neem oil on a cloth; follow up every two weeks
How do I get rid of fungus gnats on boston fern?
Larvae destroy fine roots in wet compost; adults congregate near the pot Let the top centimetre of compost dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bti drench for larval infestations