Plant care: Preventing pests when moving balcony plants indoors

As temperatures drop in September, moving balcony plants indoors requires careful pest inspection to prevent infestations. While outdoor environments maintain a natural balance through predators, the dry, heated air of a home can act as an incubator for pests.

To avoid bringing insects into the living space, it is essential to inspect more than just the leaves. Potential pests, such as root worms, fungus gnats, ants, or slugs, often hide in the soil, roots, or at the bottom of the pots, particularly around drainage holes and saucers.