Thank you both so much for your quick follow up! I have never had a houseplant fall so dramatically "ill" before, and it's amazing how upsetting it is. I couldn't stand the thought of the ivy sitting there, waiting to infect my other plants (even if they were several feet away), so out went the ivy onto the driveway. I sprayed it with what I had on hand--Trader Joe's Trader Zen spray, which is a natural, essential oil and alcohol based cleaning spray. If the plant lives, it will become a new patio star (potted, of course!). If it dies... well, then I will know not to buy plants at Ikea. Heh.

Greenhouser... What systemic spray do you use that you find effective? Those little things are a real pain in the neck. I always find this time of the year when I bring things indoors or to the greenhouse they seem to florish on a plant that was otherwise ok outside. I guess the good bugs do not come in with them:) I try to hose everything down fairley well before bringing indoors and not much else bothers the plants be it impatience or others, than these pests. The impatiens do seem to be more prone than others. Bea

Just please, don't get discouraged if you never really COMPLETELY get rid of them. You need to consistantly spray and hose all winter, especially once you know you have had them, them meaning mealey, thrips, and mites! If you examine them everyday with a magnifying glass as I use to, or look for distorted leaves all winter, you will find them, no matter what you do, especiallly into December, especially if you even let up on your spraying regimand for at least 2 weeks! lol I use to. I almost threw away all my expensive plants at one point, to start all over again. It only takes one mite lurking in the home, window sill, outdoors, floor crevice, or wherever, and they will come back no matter what you use. With a vengence if you use nothing at all! That is the nature of the beast with so many plants. That is why some prefer to just have one plant as compared to those that have hundreds. I am just satisfied knowing that I have the power to at least keep tham at bay, with Tonis insect recipe, and at times with the others suggested here. We can never be certain there are no pests on our plants. But we can be certain that natural sprays other than "chemicals" ones can at least keep the number of them under control. It took me coming here to finally accept this fact. You will find a lot more joy in just being content knowing that you are doing the best you can to at least reduce the amount of pests that would otherwise destroy your babies. We can always have the upper hand if we are diligent! Have a happy growing season..:-)

Spider mites aren't insects, so many (all?) insecticides won't work on them. However they don't like water, so put it in the sink or shower and spray it on all leaf sides. You may need to repeat this more than once as new mites hatch. I wouldn't use a systemic regardless, both because it is indoors along with you and any visitors, pets, family, etc. while many pesticides are intended for outdoor use, and also because any bees that come to the flowers once it is outdoors will be poisoned by the insecticide. As soon as days are above freezing, start putting it out in shade to begin hardening it off, but bring it in at night when it is colder since it is still getting too cold for a fully leafed out clematis at this point in 5a New England.