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in your soil and very soon you will have an epidemic on your hands if you do not check it in time.

H OMEMADE R EMEDIES F OR P EST C ONTROL
    The best way to fight pest infestations is with organic pesticides, which you can buy from your garden stores. Alternatively you can use some very simple to make yet very effective homemade pest control formulas!
    1. F OR M ITES, A PHIDS AND M EALY B UGS)
    Mix two teaspoons of canola oil (4 teaspoons of cayenne pepper or hot pepper sauce) and 4-5 drops of Dr. Bronner’s soap into a quart of water. Put the mix into a spray bottle shake well and spray on the underside of the leaves of the plant. Remember, the mites live mostly underneath the leaves.
    2. F OR M ILDEW
    Mix water and milk in equal proportions. Pour in a spray bottle and spray it on the affected plant 3-4 times weekly.
    3. F OR F UNGUS AND O THER I NSECTS
    Mix 4 teaspoons of baking soda into a quart of water and spray the mix on the plant every alternate day.
    Make a mix with two teaspoons of cooking oil, 4 teaspoons of baking soda, 4-5 drops of Dr. Bronner’s plain soap and a quart of water. Spray the affected plant every 2-3 days.
    4. F OR M ITES, G NATS AND M OST O THER P REDATORY I NSECTS
    This is one of the drastic yet very effective methods to counter the pest problem. Buy predatory nematodes (quite inexpensive) and transfer them to your plants through watering it over the plants. Once they reach the soil, these predatory nematodes will kill all the thrip, mites, larvae, and gnats they find.
    Diatomaceous Earth is another thing you could use to fight infestation of pests. This is a mix of silica dioxide, which – if you look at it under microscope – looks like razor blades. What you need to do is dust the leaves of your plants with this mix. Make sure to wet the leaves a little so the dust will stick properly. When the pests would want to bite, they would cut themselves and die.

P REVENTING F UNGUS AND M OLD IN Y OUR I NDOOR G ARDEN
    Fungi are wonderful organisms and they’re responsible for most of life on Earth (there would be no soil without the fungi!). But certain types of fungi can infect your garden above the soil (this is known as foliar fungus) and below the soil (this is known as soil born fungus). The best way to control fungus is prevention. However, when fungus and mold gets out of control you can treat it with a good organic fungicide.
    1. F OLIAR F UNGUS
    This type of fungus will attack the leaves and stems of a plant. They will appear as dark spots or splotches on the foliage. These forms of fungus are common when you use cold water to water your plants. It is best to use warm (tepid) water for your plants especially when you are misting the leaves of your plants. It can also be caused when the humidity crosses over 60%. You will know that your plants are affected by the dark spots that appear on the leaves.
    To prevent it from forming, use tepid water for your plants and keep a close eye on the hygrometer (apparatus to measure humidity). Also, install a vent fan to encourage air circulation and dissipate excess moisture in the air.
    If the plant is already under attack, remove all the infected leaves immediately. Then, use an organic fungicide every 3-4 days until you are sure that your plants are safe and recovering.
    2. S OIL B ORN F UNGUS
    This type of fungus will attack the roots of your plant and it will be visible on the surface of the soil in the initial stages. These types of fungus, like all others, proliferate when there’s too much moisture. This often happens if the soil is retaining too much water retention owing to improper drainage. Sometimes, you may get an infected planting medium when you buy a potted plant or the soil may be infected as well.
    To prevent soil born fungus you need to use sterile planting medium, and ensure proper drainage of the soil with the help of drainage holes at the bottom of the container and maintaining proper soil texture.
    If the plant is under attack