I brought my ferns in from outside as well; I brought in 3 ferns not at the same time. Two ferns, I brought in just in time. The other larger plant, I left outside in a makeshift
green house to last until
spring. I decided to bring in the larger fern. Some of the leaves had browned. I cut those back. But, the plant smelled very bad. So, I took the plant out of pot, put it in a plastic grocery bag. I sprayed a 3% hydrogen peroxide and tap water mixture on the plant top and soil at the sides and top since hydrogen peroxide deters microbes/disinfectant. I also placed a garlic bulb on the side. The smell left. no odor of any kind. Time lapse...it has been about 4 weeks; there is no smell; the garlic glove is
growing out the side where the roots are....I even see little ferns
growing as well.