Systemic Insecticide for House Plants

Disulfoton

• Disulfoton is a systemic insecticide for houseplants recommended by the Colorado State University Extension website. The insecticide has a high level of toxicity and is used through soil application. Disulfoton is sold under numerous trade names and is highly effective in controlling aphids, leafhopper, thrips, beet flies, spider mites and other sucking insects.

Efficacy of Disulfoton

• Disulfoton is rapidly absorbed by plant roots and transported to all plant parts. This rapid rate of distribution increases the efficacy of the insecticide against sucking insects. Disulfoton, however, is not as effective against pollinating insects.

Acephate

• Acephate is a general use systemic insecticide effective for both indoor and outdoor plants. The insecticide comes in the form of a foliar spray and controls a number of biting and sucking insects particularly aphids.

Efficacy of Acephate

• Acephate is particularly effective against scale insects, a major houseplant pest that can cause stunting and deformation in plants throughout the year. The pests are difficult to control and damage plants by feeding on the plant sap in the plant tissue. In cases of severe infestation, the insects can cause the death of the whole plant.

Imadacloprid

• The Colorado State University Extension Site recommends the systemic insecticide imadacloprid for houseplants. The insecticide is commonly applied to soil. Some foliar treatment forms of the insecticide are also available for houseplants. The chemical is found in a wide range of commercial insecticides.

Efficacy of Imadacloprid

• The insecticide has a lower level of toxicity as compared to disulfoton and is classed as moderately toxic. The insecticide is highly effective against soil insects, whiteflies, rice hoppers and a variety of beetles, and interferes with the insects’ nervous system. Imadacloprid is available in the form of powder, granules, soluble concentrates and wettable powder.