For insects I use 70% alcohol or a solution of 1 tsp/5ml of liquid dish soap in a quart/liter of water. It doesn't kill all of them so you need to retreat every 4-7 days for several cycles. I don't use any pesticides in my home.
Keeping a close eye on your plants is the most important thing. If you can catch them before they spread too far it's a much easier job.
Controlling ants is the second most important. Ants spread aphids, scale insects and mealy bugs from plant to plant. The bugs excrete a sweet liquid the ants eat. The ants farm the bugs.
You haven't mentioned spider mites. Read about them here on OB. They are critters of warm, low humidity climates, common in winter indoors and dry periods of summer. They can be prevented by getting your entire collection completely wet once every week or two.
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