• BROOKINGS, S.D. - If you're among the many home gardeners who routinely move some of their houseplants outside for the summer, David Graper, SDSU Extension Horticulture Specialist and Director of McCrory Gardens warns that while this can be a great way to revive plants suffering from low light levels inside the home, it can also lead to some real insect and mite problems in the home this fall and winter.
• "Houseplants are exposed to a much larger variety of insects, mites and other animals while outside," he said.
• Graper encouraged gardeners to carefully check their plants for pests like aphids, scale, spider mites, slugs and other pests.
• "Examine the undersides of leaves, new shoots and even knock plants out of their pots to look for pests. Slugs like to hide under pots and even crawl into the drainage holes, so check carefully for them," he said. "Consider isolating incoming plants for a while to see if anything shows up."
• Some pests may be washed from the plants with forceful jets of water or a houseplant insecticide may be used.
• If the plan is to dig up plants that are growing in flower beds, Graper said to knock most of the old garden soil off the roots then repot them using a good potting soil.
• "Unwanted critters may be in the garden soil too. Also, potting soil is formulated

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