Q: With what should I spray my scheffleras to eliminate pests before I bring them in for the winter?

A: I once had a neighbor who would cover his houseplants with a paper sack and stick a lit cigar in the soil. He left it covered for only a few minutes. He said it “fumergated” his plants. They seemed to have no pests during the winter but they were a bit pungent for a few weeks afterwards. I don’t recommend you follow his example but you can examine the leaves of your plants for spider mites, mealy bugs and aphids. If found, spray outdoors with insecticidal soap or spinosad to control them.