Very occasionally you may find a snail, a slug or even an earthworm among your plants, particularly if they have been placed outside in the summer. These are generally comparatively simple to see and identify and can generally be removed simply enough by the classic finger and thumb method.

These are about the only pests that we are likely to encounter on any of the plants we grow indoors. All are quite easily cleared so long as they are caught in the early stages of infestation. But it should be emphasised again that they tend to breed at a phenomenal rate, so plants should be examined daily and immediate steps to clear any attack should be taken as soon as it is seen.

From the above it will be seen that pests and diseases should give little if any trouble to the lover of house plants who grows them well. Never over water. Always try to keep humidity rates at a reasonable level. Never overfeed. These basic rules should keep all pests and diseases away, but the occasional appearance of aphids may sometimes be expected in the summer if, for example, the roses have not been sprayed recently. Get rid of them immediately, otherwise they can breed to the extent that many plants may he damaged.