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Fresh Beginnings Start Below the Surface: Reset your Root Zone

Dec 26, 2025

Winter quietly sets the stage for hidden problems beneath the surface. Thrips settle into protected crop areas at low levels, with pupae and early larvae concentrated near the media surface where moisture is stable. Adult activity looks light, but the root zone becomes a reliable reservoir that drives spring pressure if left alone. Root aphids take advantage of the same conditions. Eggs and nymphs overwinter in pots, trays, cracks, and under benches, then expand into colonies when warmth and moisture hold steady. What looks like uneven growth or a nutrient issue is often root aphid pressure building in the substrate. Spider mites don’t disappear either; diapausing females overwinter in crevices, crop debris, and structural edges, then re‑emerge as light increases and temperatures rise, turning small pockets into season‑long problems if they aren’t addressed now.

With Houseplant Appreciation Day on the horizon, it’s the perfect reminder that our green friends indoors aren’t immune either. The weather may not change drastically inside, but the seasons still influence pest behavior. As outdoor conditions cool, problems seek shelter indoors; once temperatures rise, those hidden issues become bigger. Preventative action now—whether in greenhouses or living rooms—means healthier roots, stronger plants, and fewer surprises when spring arrives.

Looking for Solutions?

Entonem
Apply as a preventative drench to target fungus gnat and thrips larvae in the root zone before they build pressure. It works in pots, trays, and under-bench areas where moisture stays stable, cutting off the reservoir that drives spring problems.

Thripex
Introduce foliar predators early to stop thrips larvae before they spread. Thripex also helps with broad mite control, making it ideal for set-ups that need comprehensive protection as light and temperatures rise.

Entomite‑M
Sprinkle into pots, trays, and floor crevices to patrol the substrate for fungus gnat larvae and thrips pupae. This soil-level defense keeps hidden pest stages from turning into season-long issues.

Ulti‑Mite Sachets (Swirskii, Spical)
Hang sachets for steady predator release over 4–6 weeks. Swirskii controls thrips, whiteflies, and pest mites, while Spical focuses on spider and flat mites. Ulti‑Mite sachets perform reliably even when humidity fluctuates.

Explore the in's and out of overwintering here in Understanding Overwintering Mites, Insects and Control Options and learn more about what lives in your soil here; How to Manage and Identify Soil Mites & Other Problems.
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