What's eating my cretan brake fern?

Cretan Brake Fern grown indoors is most threatened by spider mites, which thrive in dry air and cause rapid frond browning. Scale insects and mealybugs also colonize its delicate fronds. Fungus gnats attack roots in waterlogged compost. Maintaining good humidity and avoiding overwatering prevents most pest problems.

Fine webbing on frond undersides; yellow or bronze stippling; fronds dry out and curl Increase humidity; wash fronds under a gentle shower; spray insecticidal soap or diluted neem oil every 5–7 days until mites are gone

Brown raised bumps along frond midribs and petioles; sticky honeydew; yellowing fronds Scrape off with a toothbrush; wipe with rubbing alcohol; treat with horticultural oil spray

White woolly patches at stem bases and frond axils; reduced vigor; honeydew and sooty mold Dab colonies with alcohol-soaked cotton swab; spray neem oil every 7–10 days

Root damage from larvae causes wilting and yellowing; tiny black adults hover around the soil surface Allow soil surface to dry between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; apply Bti soil drench to kill larvae