Is there a drench or something to do to get the bugs out of the soil to bring them back inside for winter.

What bugs specifically? Gnats, ants, something else?

Planto

I submerge my pots in water for about 10 minutes. Anything that breathes will either die or evacuate. Ants are tricky, and can be under water for at least 24 hours. Hopefully you aren't dealing with those?

well don't know what might be in there..
just wanted to get rid of them all..lol

I use purpleinopp's process. I don't know she must have meaner ants than I have because they come running out and floating on the top when it dunk my plants.

I hate to say this but I have had houseplants that go outside for over 20 yrs and have never, I mean never had any bugs not mealy, aphid or gnat or anything else. But I water very little also. Plants get a sip once a month. Soil is never soggy.

NOw I will find a piece of wood to knock on.

This may help it is what I do..

In a gallon of water

1/2 cup peroxide
1 cap of rubbing alcohol
2 drops of liquid detergent

Put this mixture in a squirt bottle. Wet them down. Keep them in the shade. Then I hose them off after 24 hours for the big plants and soak the small plants in a bucket of water.

I soak my plants in a bucket of water so any bugs in the soil float to the top. I get those rolly polly bugs in my soil.

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That's very helpful

Isnt it sad that we are thinking about this already, we've had a few nights drop into the 50's already.
Great advice Tiffany & Cinta

Not a concern here until late Oct at the soonest, but def on my mind. Moved in April, so this house isn't ready to host tons of hanging pots. Time to start getting hooks up for sure.

Yeah, pill bugs are one I evict regularly by submerging pots, various little beetles. Nothing really scary, just don't belong inside.

I find so many little critters in potted plants, and I think some of them lay eggs in the pots, I know anoles do. Little toads, tree frogs, house geckos, saw a skink repotting once. Found lacewing eggs on plants several times. I'd hate to harm any of these guys, most of them work so hard to keep my plants free of pests. Most of them aren't around up north though, aside from toads/frogs and maybe praying mantis.

I'm not one to freak out about bugs much though, sitting here as we speak with a window open that doesn't have a screen. If something comes in, it's just lost, I'll put it back outside. I also feel like if I'm going to put plants outside as part of the 'habitat' in the yard, that attract various critters, I should make an effort to evict/relocate them unharmed.

That's about critters that live around plants but don't interact with them. Finding any pesties that make plants ill or deformed, that's another matter. I do what is needed (aside from chemicals) to kill those. Usually rinsing/rubbing with water, or wiping or spritzing with rubbing alcohol takes care of stuff like that. Sometimes I might decide it's easier to trim the affected part off. Maybe once every couple years I see some type of plant pest. Access to predators while outside helps with that I think.

Go with what your comfort level dictates/requires so you are able to enjoy your plants, that's the main thing. Not everyone would be happy with the same level of bug-proofing. If using a product, just read and follow the directions.

Christine said:Isnt it sad that we are thinking about this already, we've had a few nights drop into the 50's already.
Great advice Tiffany & Cinta

Yes we have had a cool summer. I try not to bring my plants in until they say we will get frost. If it is frost for only a day or two I just cover them with a blanket.

Some years I a have been able to leave them out until Nov. I debug in Sept so if I have to do a grab and run they are ready to come inside.

purpleinopp said: I also feel like if I'm going to put plants outside as part of the 'habitat' in the yard, that attract various critters, I should make an effort to evict/relocate them unharmed.

Good for you for making the effort to be compassionate to other life! I think this is an important ethical principle: No need to harm those who don't present a threat to us.

I personally like to take the approach of doing a total repot when I bring a plant back inside after summering outdoors, so that hopefully whatever was in the soil will stay in the soil outside. However I realize that it is not ideal for the plant's health to do a repot so late in the season. I just am very squeamish about bringing pests indoors, so to me it is worth it to try to do everything I can to minimize that risk.

Welcome, Sunnyshine!

It is an uncomfortable choice to bring in plants that may harbor something we don't want indoors. I've learned to live with plants that may have a few rolly-pollys but slugs and earwigs are forbidden! A wash and dip in Insecticidal Soap is a big help.

All plants (except for coleus) go to the indoor, unheated porch, so at least they have their buddies with them.

Hi , Sunnyshine and Welcome.

I am like Arlene I am not real particular about some bugs. Just as long as they are not bugs that eat the plants or fly around the house. Something I have never had with my method. There is no way I could replant the 100+ plants I bring in every winter. So I have made my self alright with nature inside if one slips in with the plants.

As nasty as earwigs are, on the plus side, they are predatory insects. So, they may just eat something else roaming around in your pot that you don't want.

I read a post on a different gardening website where someone had cockroaches make a home in their outdoor pots. Now cockroaches, that is a NO NO!

Planto

Plantomaniac08 said:As nasty as earwigs are, on the plus side, they are predatory insects. So, they may just eat something else roaming around in your pot that you don't want.

I read a post on a different gardening website where someone had cockroaches make a home in their outdoor pots. Now cockroaches, that is a NO NO!

Planto

Nope,,,,I agree I could not make peace with those coming inside.

In the South, everybody has a cockroach or two come in their home at one point or another (Usually when it gets cold, it rains for extended periods of time... not necessarily because someone has a dirty home). That is enough to deal with, but having them hatching in pots? Eww, eww!

Planto