How to Get Rid of Mealybugs from Houseplants: Mealybugs Treatment


Houseplant Pest, Mealybugs

Mealybugs Identification

Mealybugs are white, soft-bodied, cottony-looking, sap-sucking insects. Large clusters can occur on stems and under the leaves of many houseplants. A serious attack can lead to stunted growth, wilting, yellowing and leaf drop. Mealybugs also transmit viral diseases from one plant to the other.

Mealybugs excrete large amounts of honeydew which attracts ants and is a fertile ground for sooty mold and disease infestations. The sooty mold causes stunted growth and reduced vigour by blocking pores and shading the leaf surface area for light absorption.

How to Treat Mealybugs on Houseplants

  1. Remove heavily infested parts of the plant and destroy to prevent further spread.

  2. Take the affected plant outside or to a sink and wash them off with a high pressure stream of water. If the plant has delicate foliage, turn it upside down and dip the foliage in a bucket of water to wash off the pests. Repeat as necessary.

  3. For a light Mealybug infestation wipe them off with cotton buds dabbed in a solution of 4 parts water to 1 part rubbing alcohol followed by thorough spraying of the plant with the solution. Repeat as necessary.

  4. You can also treat the infested plant with an insecticidal soap or a neem oil both of which are safe to use indoors. Take care to follow the manufacturers' instructions on the label.

  5. To treat a severe Mealybug infestation, apply a systemic insecticide weekly, until the infestation is cleared. Make sure to follow the manufacturer's directions.

How to Keep Mealybugs Away from Indoor Plants

  1. Maintain your plants healthy at all times as healthy plants are less likely to be damaged by Mealybugs; ensure proper watering, lighting and fertilizing.

  2. Get your plants from reliable sources to avoid introducing these pests in your plant collection.

  3. Thoroughly inspect the new plants before bringing them indoors and isolate any infested plants until they are free of Mealybugs.

  4. Frequently check the plants for these pest insects and take timely control measures.

  5. Maintain the plants properly pruned to get rid of the breeding and hiding grounds for these pests.

  6. Keep the growing area clean by removal of fallen leaves and any plant debris as they can harbor Mealybugs and/or their eggs.

  7. On a regular basis, clean the leaves to get rid of dust and to deter the pests.

  8. Increase humidity and improve air flow to discourage Mealybug infestations as they more common in dry, stuffy growing conditions.

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