What do mealy bugs look like

What do you suggest we do with the stuff that looks like cotton wool? Should I try and clean it off somehow? Or will it go in its own as the bugs die?

Yes, clean off the stuff that looks like cotton. In doing so, you will also kill many of the mealybugs and their eggs. Eventually it will go away once you eliminate the bugs. Never give up. I cut my plant back to almost nothing — it is growing again — but of course the mealy bugs are also growing. But I will keep fighting the battle. I will not be defeated by these things. Thanks for sharing your story and encouragement. These evil little devils are the worst! A WAR it is! Oh no, so sorry to hear that your rare plant has mealybugs.

That is super frustrating! Yes, definitely try to the neem oil. That has worked like magic for me to get rid of these persistent pests on several of my plants. You will win this battle! I would like to ask a question.

With certain plants that have grooves in the branch that extends forward and bark for a covering. I have spent at least over an hour with a tips n alcohol n then neem oil. Any thoughts at all on that subject? Thank you! Spraying neem oil on the stem where you see the mealybugs should work, it just takes some time for them to feed on it and die. So you have to be persistent and patient. Each time you spray the plant, make sure you cover the entire thing — stem leaves and all.

You can also try using neem oil as a systemic pesticide, just pour it over the soil as well as spraying it on the plant. Be careful not to overwater in the process though. Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. You can also subscribe without commenting. Gardening Books Gardening Courses About. Apart from being toxic to humans and pets, the pesky bugs can build resistance to chemicals.

This makes eradicating the plant pests so much more difficult. The first step to getting rid of mealybugs is to isolate infected plants from other houseplants. Isolating plants prevents the bugs from spreading to other plants. Thoroughly inspect all parts of the plant—around leaf joints, under leaves, and in the top layer of soil around the stem.

Then check around the rim of the pot and its base. Take infested plants to the bathroom and rinse off mealybugs under the shower. The force of water should be enough to dislodge the majority of the tiny white plant bugs. Water will also help wash away any unsightly cottony residue from foliage. If you have a mealybug infestation on outdoor plants, you can turn the garden hose on the plants. A forceful jet of water can help to remove as many mealybugs from your plant as possible.

Isopropyl alcohol kills many houseplant pests, including mealybugs on contact. You can also make a mealybug killer spray by diluting 1 cup of alcohol with 1 quart 1 l of water in a spray bottle and apply to the affected plant.

The alcohol helps to dissolve the protective layer of the mealybugs and their eggs and kill them. Because mealybugs can reside in soil, it may be a good idea to repot your plant in fresh, sterile soil. You can also use alcohol to disinfect the inside of the pot before adding a new potting mix.

This helps to ensure that you get rid of all traces of these pesky bugs for good. Soap spray can effectively kill mealybugs. Fill a spray bottle with 1 quart 1 l of lukewarm water and add a teaspoon of liquid soap such as Castile soap or other liquid dish soap. Shake well and spray the bug killer all over the plant. After an hour or two wash the plant with a damp cloth to reduce the chance of the soap damaging the plant.

Spray the plant as often as necessary until your plant is pest-free. The reason why soap spray work effectively is that it coats mealybugs with soapy liquid that helps to break down the wax. Make a neem oil spray to get rid of mealybugs on houseplants by mixing two teaspoons of organic neem oil and one teaspoon Castile soap with 1 quart 1 l of lukewarm water. Fill a spray bottle with the anti-mealybug solution, shake well and spray your plant liberally to kill the white bugs.

Spraying a neem oil solution is an excellent natural pesticide to kill mealybugs and other indoor plant pests. Neem oil is also excellent for preventing mealybugs. Spray your succulents, cacti, or tropical houseplants regularly with neem oil for it to be effective. With some patience, you can soon get these pesky fuzzy bugs under control.

There is also scientific evidence for the effectiveness of using neem oil solutions to eradicate mealybugs. Try to find a product free of perfumes and additives that might harm plants. Mix the soap in a weak concentration with water starting a 1 teaspoon per gallon and increasing as necessary. Spray the soapy solution on plants. Neem oil is a natural substance derived from the neem tree. When used as directed, it affects insects' feeding abilities and acts as a repellent.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, neem oil is safe to use on vegetables and other edible plants, as well as ornamentals. Lacebugs, lacewings, parastic wasps Leptomastix dactylopii , and a beetle sometimes known as the "mealybug destroyer" Cryptolaemus montrouzieri , are natural predators of mealybugs. These are more commonly used for outdoor infestations or in greenhouse situations and are available from commercial online retailers.

To make a batch of homemade garden pesticide , combine 1 garlic bulb, 1 small onion, and 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a food processor or blender and process into a paste. Mix into 1 quart of water and steep for 1 hour. Strain through a cheesecloth and add 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap. Mix well. The mixture can be stored for up to 1 week in the refrigerator.

Spray the solution on the plant parts where mealybugs are present. A number of stronger insecticides are approved for use against mealybugs, but the protection offered by the wax on the insects can make them less effective. Be cautious when using these chemicals, especially in indoor locations.

Stronger pesticides have varying degrees of toxicity to humans. Mealybugs tend to be drawn to certain plants that are heavy in the juices they prefer to feed on. Citrus trees are particularly susceptible, and mealybugs can pose a serious threat to some commercial crops, such as mango. Mealybugs can infest a number of indoor houseplants, particularly tropical species.

Mealybugs are attracted to plants with high nitrogen levels and soft growth; they may appear if you overwater and over-fertilize your plants. Like most pests, the best control for mealybugs is defensive. The pests will attack a wide range of vegetation, including fruit trees, gardenias, African violets, and more. Mealybugs hide beneath leaves and flower petals, making their tiny bodies even harder to spot. People with houseplants, gardens, and flower beds often encounter these pests.

The mealybug thrives during the warm months of spring and summer. Mealybug honeydew, the pests' sticky waste, also causes mold growth on plants and attracts other insect pests. Mealybugs do not bite or spread disease to humans.

The homeowner can carefully inspect any plants that are purchased before bringing them home for interior use or exterior landscape planting. Another method to prevent mealybug damage is to cut out or cull infested leaves or stems so there is no opportunity for mealybugs to further expand the population on the infested plant.

As a last resort, the most efficient method to prevent damage can be to simply dispose of infested plants to keep mealybugs from spreading to other, non-infested plants. If the mealybug infestation is widespread, the treatment plan may require a product to treat not only mealybugs, but also to treat ants that are feeding on the honeydew produced by the mealybugs.

This is important since ants protect mealybugs from predators and may move mealybugs from one plant to another, thus increasing the number of infested plants.