Dealing with Mealybug Infestation on Plants

Today I'll discuss one of the most prevalent pest intruders, mealybugs, and how to get rid of them. Scale, spider mites, and gnats are additional common intruders. I'm preparing films for each unwelcome visitor and how to deal with them.

So, where do bugs originate from in general? They often come from a different plant. If one of your plants is under assault, pests will find their way to all other plants in due course. They arrive from the outside, especially during the warm seasons, and make their way to our plants through open doors and windows, even if we have protective screens.

Some of them are really small. If you leave your house plant outside during the summer, it is considerably more likely to be attacked. They also enter our plants through air vents, central heating and cooling systems, and cut flowers, fruits, and vegetables from the shop or our yard. A variety of houseplant bugs can be found in fresh vegetables.

How to Avoid Infestation

• Check for any obvious difficulties before introducing a new plant into your environment. If the plant you just bought has any problems that you were unable to notice right away, the problem will become extremely evident very quickly since pests spread quickly. That is why it is critical to keep an eye on your plants at all times.

• Establish a weekly or biweekly checkup regimen, scrutinizing the leaves, top and bottom, as well as the stems and top shoots. If your plant appears to have lost its vibrancy and the leaves appear to be drooping, this might be an indication that there is a mealybug party going on and they are draining all the fluids out of your plant. If you're moving your plant outdoors for the summer to enjoy the warm weather and fresh air, make sure to thoroughly inspect it before bringing it back inside. Most problems may be avoided with good hygiene.

• Cleaning your plant not only removes dust and helps the plant appear cleaner and absorb light more efficiently, but it also removes some eggs and bugs, which will undoubtedly prevent the spread. All you have to do is clean the leaves, top and bottom, and stems with a damp paper towel at least once every two weeks. Of course, weekly is preferable.

Identifying Mealybugs

They're white, fluffy insects. When all of the bugs are focused on the top of the plant and the rest of the plant seems to be clean, this indicates a moderate infestation. If the problem is bad, the whole plant will look like it is covered in snow.

Handling a Mealybug Infestation

1. Isolate the Affected Plant: Separate the problematic plant from the other plants. Check all other plants that were close by, and continue to check on them on a regular basis, at least twice a week, to detect an issue early and simply prevent it. Light to moderate infestations can be treated quickly and successfully. If you have a badly affected plant, consider getting a new one and starting again. Heavy infestation is extremely difficult to manage and puts the remainder of the plants at risk.

2. Materials Needed:

   • Gloves
   • Spray bottle
   • 70% rubbing alcohol
   • Moderately concentrated dish soap (e.g., Dawn)
   • Cotton balls, cotton swabs, or similar

3. Removing Visible Mealybugs: Use rubbing alcohol-soaked cotton balls and swabs to remove visible bugs from the leaves, top and bottom, stems, and shoots. Alcohol destroys the protective coating of bugs, adults, and eggs, instantly killing them.

4. Preparing the Solution:

   • Mix around 30 ounces of water with one cup of rubbing alcohol and a few drops of dish soap.

5. Spraying the Plant:

   • Thoroughly spray the plant with the alcohol and dish soap solution, covering all parts, including those where mealybugs were found and other areas.

6. Repeat Treatment:

   • Repeat the therapy once or twice a week until the problem has been resolved.

Remember to cover the surface you're working on and wash your hands and tools after handling the affected plant before touching any other plants.

I hope your battle is successful and you never have to deal with a mealybug infestation again.

Dealing with Mealybugs on Plants

• Cover the working surface to prevent damage to furniture or flooring.
• Wash hands and tools after working on the affected plant before touching other plants.

About the Author

Chris Hall

Green Thumbs Aren't Born, They're Made! Christopher Hall has been an avid indoor gardener for over 10 years and has helped many friends and family members keep their plants alive and thriving. He has a blog, which is dedicated to teaching others how to cultivate healthy plants indoors.