What Happened When I Released 5000 BUGS Into My Home | Beneficial Insects | Houseplant Chores + Tips

[@roux0609]

OMG, this is simultaneously fascinating and horrifying! I am so glad I'm not the only one that sees one bug and then goes completely bananas trying to get rid of them!

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Me no likey da bugs

[@Jennn460]

Your little one is adorable and so curious.

[@EmelyPhan]

He's so cute

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

lol questions all day every day!

[@milalacerrano2217]

Oh my gosh, I love how curious your son is. I am used to work with children from different age levels, but I LOVE my toddlers and when they start with the "why" phase. Some ppl may feel overwhelmed with the so many and sometimes same questions, that is them learning fast and storing new information/vocab. Also, I need to start buying those bugs as I may have an infestation, even when I have my 300 + plants in LECA.

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

I looooove the toddler stage 🥰. And omg yea LECA is not pest-proof sadly.

[@BetaBetaZZ]

Many years ago I released thousands of ladybugs 🐞 in my apartment to help with a infestation problem. However, I forgot to tell my partner 😬 and I was not aware that he was scared of them.

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

HAHAHHAHA the nightmare this must have caused

[@hennesseyme9112]

😂😂😂😂😂😂 I wanted to do that on my job but was too scared I would get fired.

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

omg...just realized I spelled SPIRALING wrong - send me to 🚔 😭

[@jennigrecu]

🚔👮‍♀️

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

@@jennigreculol I’m so upset

[@PetraEmmy]

All good! We knew what you meant 😉

[@brooke5258]

It's bc you were spiraling.

[@Aries_IV_]

You should definitely print the screenshot, frame it and put it beside the one you did of a comment XD

[@mostlyamazing]

Oooh girl you’re better than me😭😭 I don’t think I could ever release bugs onto my plants, even if they are good😅 BUT I’m glad you gave it a try and reached out to the company, and they were able to provide clarification. Also, your son is the cutest😭💖

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Haha it was a one-time bravery thing 😂. Thank you!

[@danaedandrow2566]

I could do lady bugs into my home if I had a huge collection and it needed it!

[@hennesseyme9112]

You must never have had a gnat infestation, in your bedroom, during the Winter? I just don't purchase because of the price and some people receiving dead critters.

[@teresalynnturner781]

Good to see you! I pray I never get bugs! I have 50 plants, no bugs. But I allow bigger spiders to be around in my sun room where most of my plants are, so if there are bugs they are eating them. But I've never seen pests on my babies(knock on wood). I just bought the bios natural pesticide , just in case, but I've not had to use it.

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

It’s good to have their spray handy though! Those big spiders are doing their job 👍👍

[@kathj4739]

Mite essay below...... :D . . . . . . . . You're right! Predatory mites are faster than spider mites. Also, some start to mimic the behavior and color of their prey to catch them by off-guard and increase success rate. Some studies show they'll even slow their speed down when close to prey to prevent alerting them short and long-term (Otsuki & Yano, 2019)! Like you said, you can tell it's predatory if it's more teardrop shaped than oval and it's got longer front legs ("feelers") that they kind of wiggle around to find anything for them to grab. They're usually more of a red color and lack the two spots the two-spotted spider mites have. Those fast red guys you saw on the webbing (@7:30) actually look like the predatory mites, they survey webbing to look for prey and eggs to eat (see the way they were "feeling" around in front of them). Honestly, it looks like the infestation was kept pretty well under control on that plant, I see less spotting/leaf death on the leaves with the webbing than I expected. Unfortunately, because they're also arachnids, they're susceptible to the same damage as spider mites, so long-term you can either use mites or pesticides, but usually not both. Though, if they have other plants nearby to escape to and re-introduce later, they might be fine. Anyone looking for a good long term mite, try hypoaspis; the soil protects them from short term pesticides (neem oil, safers, soapy alcohol) AND they will survive without prey because they eat soil organic matter too! Also, some companies add them to their bulk sphagnum peat moss (I happened to find them in Premier; 62L for $14), so if you mix your own soil, you might get them for free ;)!

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

I really enjoyed reading the more essay 😂. I don’t know if I can do more bugs HAHAHA but I will do my research into hupoaspis. Thanks for your knowledge and insight!

[@nanwijanarko1969]

Appreciate the essay, new plant owner here and already battled with fungal infection from my 3rd plant ever. My newest plant got spider mites on them. Quarantining it and trying to do preventative measures for the rest, so your information is right on time!

[@NamelessNancy1312]

how your little dude calls you umma is adorable

[@ionescuionut5041]

You should try leaf shine , it worked for me , because the oils inside suffocates those nasty pests. Btw nice video again Michelle

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Thanks for the tip!

[@kenziescraftscreations3139]

Dude your kid is making me laugh SO hard right now!!!!🤣🤣🤣

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Never a dull moment with that one

[@amyheckathorn7172]

Have you seen the cleaning the Sober Plant Guy uses? Tea tree Castile soap, mint Castile soap, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, and water. (It originally came from Liquid Dirt people.) I’ve been using it to treat and clean my plants, whether they have bugs/mites or not. So far, so good.

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

That must smell good too!

[@goldandguns5721]

Beauveria bassiana plus powder works miracles! For best results, apply as seed treatment or when transplanting. The sooner the better.

[@naturalgalwilliams]

This was very informative. Thanks for sharing!!💐❣️

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

You are so welcome!

[@Bellablizz]

I just ordered those bugs which come in little sachets. I felt so ichy too. I'm actuallly happy I couldn't see them. 😂

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

lol yea ignorance is bliss

[@pinkyssj4]

You're brave. I haaaaaate bugs. I can't do it. 🙈

[@jessicabellone913]

You might have forgotten to turn of your big plant shelf after you put those buggies on the plants! Lol, hopefully it doesn’t kill them girl 😊

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

I turned them off after!!! HAHAHHAA good eye

[@Elzariel]

For everyone who doesn't like bugs and still is brave enough to use them instead of chemicals: GOOD JOB! ❤

[@oleeeee7807]

Is that a splendid sat behind you at the end of the video? It’s beautiful! I’ve got a juvenile splendid and the leaves are gorgeous 💖✨

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

It is!!!

[@thesootaysfriend-iseeflipf8603]

I love you videos, I crack up laughing every time 😂

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Thank you!

[@kimr4741]

love Natures Good Guys! i have been using them for well over a year now and love the preventive, i use them all year around. i collect Alocasia and they are magnets for spider mites. i dont use it directly on the soil i use the tiny cups like restaurant/take home catchup come in and tip it to the side for easy escape.

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

People have been mentioning the cup idea and that’s brilliant!

[@elizabethcarignan5136]

Just started having a spider mite issue. Might need to invest in neem oil stock. Will be interested to see how your mites do.

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

I checked yesterday and so far I don’t see them anymore! I’m still spraying them down every few days

[@valariecarey2716]

I use NaturesGoodGuys as well but I get the ladybugs and they work very well and I don't mind them at all. However, I will wash the leaves and treat them with Castille peppermint soap, Neeme oil, natural peppermint oil and Capt. Jacks a few times a years. BTW, I love your little helper, he keeps things moving right along hahahaha - Thanks for sharing

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Ahhh that’s good to know that regular maintenance is still required alongside using beneficials. Thank you!

[@Makkoiurufu]

Is it enough to just get the bugs or do need to treat the plants first?

[@valariecarey2716]

@@Makkoiurufu I do both but during separate time. I treat/clean the plants/leaves a few times a years as routine maintenance and to check on their progress and purchase ladybugs as a preventive measure.

[@Eirwyn]

Hey! Your spiraling is exactly like my spiraling!

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Back and forth convos with myself 😂

[@livingroom7609]

I just found a residential jumping spider in my nepenthes grow tent and I was so happy, but I’m not sure if I’d be happy to have 5 bajillion little buggies, good or not

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Hahaha one jumping spider seems more manageable

[@Kermits_Ghost]

The bugs colonized that whole ass container in like 2 seconds 💀🪲

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

I WAS NOT PREPARED

[@Kermits_Ghost]

@@ohtheplacesyoullgrow fr 😭

[@luciareeck4347]

Wait when you sprayed them didn't you also kill the beneficial ones too?

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

I did. But I ultimately decided I wasn’t going to wait around. I needed all bugs gone to be safe.

[@Scorpiogrrly916]

My white fusion never looks good. Literally bought it and it went to shit when everything else is thriving. Also - fast is fren slow is fo

[@BeverlyBisarra]

I commend you on your braveness 😅❤

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

😁thank you haha

[@alteria2714]

Omg your child 🤣 in the "why" stage! Taking care of your plant children why you have a toddler asking every second why you are doing something, at least he's cute... Although I'd imagine he's a gremlin as well

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

I love this age 😂. And they do like to “help” sometimes in whatever way a 2 year old gremlin can hahaha

[@myathehappy_1]

I had such a bad allergic reaction to them I thought I'd have to go to the hospital. My throat closed up and I could hardly breath. took a week regiment of vacuuming/ cleaning and then showering to get rid of it all.

[@ameliamurphy8416]

Goes to spray my prevention spray on my plants….lol

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

lol spritz spritz

[@lisamac8503]

I have never had any bug infestations on my plants( 20 plus years) I do not know why I do let spiders roam freely among the plants (I have about 150) Orchids as well and some Venus fly traps ,succulents I lost plants this summer to the horrible heat and will replace them Not sure if I could deal with plants crawling with bugs! *the spiders don't count* ! I always enjoy your videos (:

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

lol spiders don’t count!!!

[@Wisdoms_keep]

made me feel itchy too! off to buy a fern and make a kokedama. enjoy life

[@LeafyConversations]

I heard that your suppose to remove the webbing off the leaves before releasing the beneficial bugs or they can get stuck. I have no idea if that is true just thought I would share. This is just horrible that we have to go through this to enjoy plants!

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

They seemed to walk along the webs just fine 🤢🤢🤢🤢 but that’s good to know! Thanks 💛

[@brikhouse22]

Ugh i found aphids in my garden yesterday it most deff made me itchy af too. Lol

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

They are SO BIG WITH LONG LEGS I CANNOT

[@whitneyteague8278]

Why did you sprinkle all the mites on and then spray them all down and do a neem oil wash?? Would that just be a waste of all those mites?🤔

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

I washed everything 2.5 months after the initial application. The plants clearly had spider mites and while I saw the beneficial bugs, I decided to just get rid of all bugs period. I also reached out to Natures Good Guys and they recommended I wash the plants first before doing another round of beneficials anyway

[@whitneyteague8278]

@@ohtheplacesyoullgrow ohhh I see I must’ve missed that part! Thank you for clarifying!! 🙂

[@hennesseyme9112]

I know this has nothing to do with pots, but have you tried The Naked Roots pots? Would love to hear your review.

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

I have a few the company sent me to test out. Two of my pothos are in them. The company does claim that the air is supposed to prune the roots so they don’t grow out the drainage holes and can therefore last longer within the same pot. So far, I can see roots visibly growing out the drainage holes in both pots 😂. I don’t know if the air pruning is a process or if it just slows down the roots circulating, so jury is still out!

[@hennesseyme9112]

@@ohtheplacesyoullgrow Thanks! Do you think it would be good for something like a Constellation? I am on my third plant and really don't want to unalive this one. I did find a channel who has his own mix and so far two of the plants I used it on had roots shooting straight down the holes of the pots within two weeks (Pumice, Perlite, Charcoal, Course Sand, Peat moss). Trying it out on my Thai in a nice orchid pot that is self watering, but thinking of ordering one pot for that plant.

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

@@hennesseyme9112I think the pot will work fine for most houseplants. My thai con are all in plastic nursery liners inside larger decorative cache pots.

[@hennesseyme9112]

@@ohtheplacesyoullgrow Thanks and be patient with the roots. Another channel said the roots outside the slits are supposed to be pruned by oxygen so it could take time.

[@lesleyharris525]

My daughters future mother in law had two plants that needed help, one just needed pottering on, but her prayer plant had thrips and now so do all my plants, 😢. Send help, ❤

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Oh no thrips are tough. You’ll need a systemic pesticide for the soil and treat the leaves every few days for several weeks. Cut off most infected leaves because that’s where they lay eggs

[@PandiChii88]

Omg my skin is itching too now

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Me toooooo

[@mrrandy1]

Loved the video

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Thanks!

[@BekahMarie11]

That stressed me out!!!! They look like bad bugs 🤣

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Good cause I got em all 😂

[@Johanna_slay]

I just found some tiny bugs on my monster do u have any product's to recommend?

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

do you know what kind of bugs they are? There's various pests a plant can get (thrips, mealy bugs, spidermites, etc..) - in my description is the link to my herbal pesticide that I used on my plants and it treats for a variety of pests.

[@45kimmyb]

This isn't going to be a popular comment, but I prefer systemic insecticide granules. They are house plants, I'm not planning on eating the leaves so yes I use chemicals. It lasts for 8 weeks and I never get bugs. The best part is that I don't have to release any kind of bugs into my home. I don't have to go through all the other drama either.

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Systemic is effective. However, when it comes to spider mites specifically, systemic granules are known to exacerbate mite populations ☠️.

[@lindaedwards4632]

Every planty person seems to be a terrible time with pests this year🤦‍♀️ Including me Ugg 😀🇨🇦

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Gosh this is so true. I’ve never had this many infestations before!

[@swiss8654]

Same here 😭😭

[@Maxedmm2]

not the pots in the beginning 😭😭😭😭

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Disgusting

[@christelarmstrong9598]

Thank u for sharing

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

My pleasure. Thanks for watching!

[@fivetimesyo]

"As a preventive measure I'm going to apply them to the vents..." 💀💀

[@alexalynn5952]

I despise spider mites with every fiber of my being. I've gotten to the point that I just throw out anything effected because I can't deal.

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

I TOTALLY GET IT

[@stormyolsen8302]

Oh gosh, my calethea had horrible spider mites, she looks terrible, but I've been cutting one leaf off a week and she's not growing any new ones. I didn't know you could cut all the leaves off and they would come back. How long does it take for them to start to regrow?

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Mine grew back rather quickly. Like the one that I completely chopped has a few leaves and I filmed this maybe a month ago?

[@stormyolsen8302]

@@ohtheplacesyoullgrow that's awesome. I think my poor girl is getting a chop. Thanks!

[@mettevunsjensen4094]

What to do about thrips?

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Same process! But I would cut off most infected leaves because that’s where they lay eggs. You can also treat the soil with a systemic pesticide.

[@Johanna_slay]

1 last question would I kill my monstera If I would spray it with vinegar?

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Why are you spraying with vinegar??

[@Johanna_slay]

I didn't I'm just asking

[@luciareeck4347]

If you hate bugs that much don't get them!! Haha! I think my husband would kill me though if I got them, but I do want to try them!!!

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

It was an experiment for myself but I think I failed 😂

[@luciareeck4347]

@@ohtheplacesyoullgrow fair enought!! 🤣🤣 Good for you to give it a whirl though!!!

[@LordanJauzon]

So basically those beneficials didn’t work because your calatheas got pwned regardless?

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Haha I think if I used them according to the directions, it would have been more effective. You’re supposed to apply every 2-3 weeks and I did not do that

[@rebeccaparis6470]

💚💚💚

[@Johanna_slay]

Hiii it's me aigan Just wondering how u are?

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Great! Thanks

[@Herbsformentalhealth]

Hell no 😮😂

[@brittnyb9762]

Iam thinking you should be repotting those plants, especially the one you chopped. I don't think they will ever go away. If you miss just ONE pregnant one then you have an infestation again...

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Ughhhhhh 😖😖😖😖

[@brittnyb9762]

@@ohtheplacesyoullgrow lol bugs are gross!! The way you react is my exact reaction lol no exaggeration!

[@rebeccahenderson7761]

Oh I suggest going to the dollar store & get those tiny little paper gumdrop? cups with the accordion type folded sides w/ a silver plasticy back. I line them up, fill them and put them on the substrate or in the crook of some branches. They do 'not' have to be on the soil directly. I didn't like the media the various beneficials come with, it gets wet, clumpy and unsightly. So, after a couple of days I just round up the little cups, empty and store for the next time. Cheers!

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

This is brilliant!!!

[@naturalgalwilliams]

🦗🐞🪲😊❣️

[@SereneStudio]

I guess it's not really worth it if you have a system that works but man those caltheas are (beautiful) *garden hoes* for mites 😭

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

That’s the perfect nickname for them 😂

[@ulrickts]

I just want one boring, reliable house spider on each plant.

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

SAME.

[@elizabethlacey7708]

Spider mites can be horrible if they take over!!!

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Even a SINGLE mite is horrible 😂

[@YawnWoofDog]

You are crazy. I absolutely HATE bugs.

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Probably don’t get beneficial bugs then 😂

[@alexderibayev4449]

suffer, mite)

[@mael2039]

I've done that in the kitchen against food moths, too. I bake a lot and grind my own flour, and there's nothing worse than buying a new, closed pack of corn and there's fucking moths inside before you even open it (it happens more than you'd think). It worked really well even though I was stressing the whole time and scared they would go into my food (they didn't - I put all the food in jars). They were too small to see with the naked eye which helped.

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Wait you added beneficial bugs to your FOOD???

[@mael2039]

no to my kitchen drawers - all the food was in airtight containers. But I was definitely stressing about them getting into the food

[@erickperez8770]

Soooo basically you wasted your money on 5000 beneficil mites for nothing? 😅

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

LOLOL DONT SAY THAT ☠️

[@rebeccahenderson7761]

Yeah, I was creeped out in the beginning, but soon you'll be like oh this is just another tool. I've got a ton of plants behind, to the right and left of my 2 monitors - on my desk. I've released 'my army' of mites and pirate beetles in little paper gumdrop cups on every plant on my desk and in my office. I even have a little shelf sitting directly on 1 monitor with 2 - 4" plants on it. I've had 1 or 2 pirate beetles crawl around to the front of my monitor, but to me now - they're cute and I scoop them up with a business card and put them on a plant. Other than that I've had zero issues with them. They stay where the plants are, cause that's where the food is.

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

I LOVE your attitude and perspective on this. I hope to be as nonchalant about them as you one day 😂

[@rebeccahenderson7761]

@@ohtheplacesyoullgrow Plus it helps to have a jet black desk to see any mites coming near me. I never have. All the best to you and your health!

[@HustlerJerbear]

Your voice sounds Americanized and white sounding. You don’t have a foreign Asian accent.

[@daisymichele2666]

🪲🐞🦋🦗🪰🪳, "We are your friends little 🪴🪴🪴"

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

Hahaha

[@HarrisonPaws]

Another great video! 😂 I've never let myself release bugs in the house, I've always wanted to try though, I hope it works well! I wonder if the beneficial will look for a different food source if the pest population dies back?? 🫣❤🌱

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

From my understanding, the beneficials will die once the food source runs out. I would be not okay if they began ROAMING around 😂

[@Scorpiogrrly916]

My white fusion never looks good. Literally bought it and it went to shit when everything else is thriving. Also - fast is fren slow is fo

[@ohtheplacesyoullgrow]

I like that rhyme!