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Using CP's to rid insects indoors?

Posted: Wed May 28, 2014 2:44 am
by gilroy222
Title says it all.

What's the best carnivorous plant to get rid of insects inside a home? I have a VFT but as I've read it needs a lot of sunlight it is outside. Do Sundew's or Pitcher's get along well indoors?

It also seems that sundews and pitchers actually attract insects much better.

Re: Using CP's to rid insects indoors?

Posted: Wed May 28, 2014 11:00 am
by Grey
Hey there gilroy,

It really depends on the insects you're trying to eradicate. If they are larger flies you'll likely need something with a larger trapping mechanism such as some Nepenthes, which can do fairly well indoors depending on your conditions. For smaller flies like fruit flies, Drosera can be very useful; I find Pinguicula ideal for that purpose - I have many photos of my fly-smothered P. 'Tina' plant, which is a Mexican Pinguicula. Mexican Pinguicula are ideal house plants.

Sarracenia, another type of "pitcher plant" (but not the same as nepenthes) are better kept outside, but can catch larger insects. Heliamphora are another "pitcher" plant that can be grown indoors, often in a terrarium. Same with Cephalotus. As for their trapping capabilities, I'm not entirely certain as I've not kept them successfully.