Our ferns are beautiful and we would like to bring them in the house

Question

What do we do to get rid of the bugs before we bring them in?

Hannah V · Answer

Here are some great tips from @Patti @Hearth and Vine http://www.hometalk.com/diy/grow/plants/5-steps-for-bringing-your-plants-indoors-for-the-winter-4532813

The Garden Frog with C Renee · Answer

Garden Matter has some great tips. There are several ways to bring in ferns and some ferns will do okay in an unheated garage if the garage does not freeze. What kind of ferns? I overwinter my ferns (I have huge Kimberly ferns, Macho fern, and Boston and Maidenhair) in the garage in zone 7b and water once a week. There are a few different ways to 'debug' your plants too http://www.hometalk.com/diy/grow/plants/gardening-tricks-moving-plants-indoors-successfully-5268260 or http://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/pest-repeller/cleaning-tips-garden-plants-inside-bug-free-4930338. Read these and find the best solution for your needs. Good luck

Jane Hayes · Answer

Bugs are not the only thong to worry about. I brought in an oak snake in my fern from the front porch. Scared me to death when he crawled across my den floor!

Jane Hayes · Answer

Thing.....not thong....LOL

Martha Grice · Answer

In answer to your question about the bugs. Use an old sprayer attached to your garden hose and fill it with Dawn dish detergent and hook the hose up. Spraying liberally (Dawn is safe for plants and pets and will not harm the environment), let stand in the sun for an hour or two then spray with clear water and wash the bugs away. Be sure to check for any intruders like small snakes etc. and clip all the dead growth away and you will have clean, green and beautiful plants to bring into your home for the winter. Good luck.

Douglas Hunt · Answer

@Rhonda B has great step-by-step directions for dealing with just this issue in this post: http://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/pest-repeller/cleaning-tips-garden-plants-inside-bug-free-4930338

Patti @Hearth and Vine · Answer

Thanks Hannah

Our ferns are beautiful and we would like to bring them in the house

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Our ferns are beautiful and we would like to bring them in the house

5 Steps for Bringing Your Plants Indoors for the Winter

Must-See Tricks for Successfully Moving Plants Indoors

Bring Your Houseplants Inside but Leave the Bugs Outside

Bring Your Houseplants Inside but Leave the Bugs Outside

Suggested Project Book