Mealybugs are common houseplant pests that can cause significant damage in a short amount of time.
If you’re not sure how to get rid of mealy bugs, you’re not alone.
These little buggers can be difficult to get rid of.
And even when you think you’ve succeeded, they can show up again.
Thankfully, there are several different methods you can use to get rid of mealybugs.
And once you find a method that works for you, you will be better prepared to battle them again if they ever come back.
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What are Mealybugs?
Mealybugs are little white bugs that feed on the sap of plants.
These wingless insects are often found in clusters on the stems and leaves of plants.
Mealybugs, if left unchecked can cause a lot of damage to plants and will eventually kill the plant they are on.
Mealybugs can infest all parts of a plant, including the roots, which makes them harder to get rid of than other pests.
They are most common on tropical plants as they like the higher moisture these plants usually grow in, but they can be found on any plant in your house.
What do Mealybugs Look Like?
According to Wisconsin Horticulture, mealybugs are not white, but actually pink.
Mealybugs are soft-bodied insects that appear white because they are covered in a cottony, waxy coating.
They are also very small, measuring 1/20th to 1/5th of an inch.
How do Mealybugs Damage Plants?
Mealybugs damage plants by feeding on their sap.
This weakens the plant and can even kill it if the mealybug infestation is left unchecked.
They also leave a sticky substance called honeydew on the leaves.
Honeydew can then attract sooty mold which, in high quantities, can limit the plant’s ability to photosynthesize.
Signs of Mealybug Damage
There are several signs to look for when deciding if you have a mealybug infestation or not.
These signs are:
· White cottony masses on leaves and stems
· Sticky residue on leaves (this is called honeydew)
· Leaves turning yellow or brown
· Leaves dropping off
· Plant growth slowing down or stopping
How do you get Mealybugs on Indoor Plants?
Mealybugs get on indoor plants by hitchhiking in on a new plant.
Small infestations can often go unnoticed, so it is possible to have a new plant for a few months before signs of mealybugs are noticed.
How to Get Rid of Mealybugs on Houseplants?
There are several different methods you can use to get rid of mealybugs.
Choose the one that works best for you.
Just be sure to isolate the affected plants during treatment and until you are sure they are mealybug free.
If you don’t quarantine them, the mealybugs could spread.
Wash Mealybugs Away with Water
A simple way to get rid of mealybugs is to wash them away with water.
Use a strong spray of water to blast mealybugs off of the whole plant.
Be sure to do this outside, as mealybugs can spread quickly and you don’t want them infesting your other plants.
If the temperature is less than 50°F out, use a different method.
The cool/cold temperature could damage your plants.
This method does not do anything to the mealybugs in the dirt and won’t prevent any missed bugs from spreading.
I would not recommend using this method on sensitive plants as the strong spray of water could damage the plant more than the mealybugs.
Neem Oil
Neem oil is a naturally occurring insecticide that can kill and repel many types of pests, including mealybugs.
To use neem oil to get rid of mealybugs, mix two to four Tbsp of neem oil concentrate with one gallon of water.
Please double check the measurements on your bottle of neem oil concentrate as they could be different than the directions on my bottle.
Make sure to mix thoroughly and pour into a spray bottle.
Spray it on all parts of the plant, making sure to also get the undersides of leaves.
Do not apply in direct sunlight or it may burn your plants.
I recommend keeping your plants out of direct sunlight until the neem oil is dry.
Neem oil has a residual effect and doesn’t need daily applications.
It does need to be reapplied weekly, though, for at least 3 weeks or until there are no more signs of mealybugs.
Insecticidal Soap
Insecticidal soap is another safe and effective way to get rid of mealybugs on houseplants.
The nice thing about insecticidal soap is several options are ready to use.
All you do is spray the plant, making sure to hit all sides of the leaves and stems.
The mealybugs will die within a few hours.
Repeat every 7 days as needed.
Isopropyl Alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol, also known as rubbing alcohol, can be used to kill mealybugs on contact.
Two methods can be used.
Cotton Swab Method
Take a cotton swab dipped in 70% isopropyl alcohol and touch it to each mealybug you see.
If you don’t have any cotton swabs, you can also use a cotton ball, just be careful to touch as little of the plant as possible.
According to SFGate, the alcohol dissolves the protective outer coating of mealybugs and their eggs and kills them.
This is a time-consuming method, but it works quite well on light infestations and has less chance of damaging your plants.
Spray method
The other method is to spray a mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol directly onto your plant.
To do this mix isopropyl alcohol with water in a spray bottle.
I’ve seen the measurements as small as one cup of isopropyl alcohol to one quart of water up to a one to one ratio.
I would try the higher water amount first and see if that works.
Spray the mixture on your plant, making sure to get both sides of the leaves, the stem, and especially the area where the stem meets the plant.
Repeat weekly for a month.
The downside of this method is that isopropyl alcohol can burn plants.
Depending on the plant, this can harm the plant as much or more than the mealybugs.
I recommend you test this method on a small part of the plant before using it on the whole plant.
If it causes leaf burn on your test spot, don’t spray the rest of the plant and try a different method.
Homemade soap spray
Homemade soap spray can also work on mealybugs.
To make this spray mix 1 quart of water with 1 tsp dish soap or pure Castille soap.
Mix thoroughly and pour into a spray bottle.
Spray the mixture onto the plant, being sure to get both sides of the leaves and the stem.
This spray will only kill mealybugs on contact, so it’s important to repeat every 7 days until they are gone.
A note of warning, dish soap can break down the natural oils on plant leaves.
A couple of applications may not harm the plant, but I don’t want to risk it.
There are other, in my opinion, better, options for getting rid of mealybugs than using soap.
Horticultural Oil
Horticultural oil is another non-chemical method to get rid of mealybugs.
It works by smothering the mealybugs.
To use this method, mix the horticultural oil with water according to the directions on the bottle.
Or buy a premixed, ready-to-use variety of it.
Whether you mix your own or buy premixed, pour the mixture into a spray bottle and thoroughly drench the plant, making sure to get the entire plant.
Repeat as directed on the bottle.
A word of caution, some plants have a sensitivity to horticultural oil.
To find out if your plant is sensitive, apply to a couple of leaves and check on it in 24 hours.
If you see signs of stress, use a different method.
Beneficial Insects
There are a few insects that are natural predators of the mealybug.
The most common are ladybugs and green lacewings.
There is a specific type of ladybug, the mealybug destroyer (Cryptolaemus montrouzieri), or mealybug ladybird, that is especially good at eating mealybugs.
You can purchase these insects online or at a garden center.
Once you have them, release them near the infested plant according to the package directions.
The nice thing about using beneficial insects is they will also help control other pests in your garden.
The downside is, you now have these bugs in your house.
If that doesn’t bother you, go for it.
If it does, a different method may be best for you.
I don’t want any bugs, beneficial or not, in my house so I won’t ever use this method on my houseplants.
I would consider this method for outdoor pest control, but not indoor pest control.
Chemical Pesticide
Another option for getting rid of mealybugs is to use a chemical pesticide.
I don’t recommend this route if you have children or pets, as chemical pesticides can be dangerous when used around them.
I also would recommend any of the above methods prior to chemical pesticides.
But if the above methods have all failed, try a pesticide as a last resort.
When using a chemical pesticide, make sure all plants are kept away from pets and children during the treatment period and until the residual pesticide is no longer in the plant.
Also, make sure that mealybugs are specifically listed on the bottle as a pest that will respond to that specific product.
Not all chemical pesticides treat all plant pests.
For application, follow the directions for the specific pesticide that you have.
Toss the plant
The final option, and most extreme, is to just toss the infected plant.
If the plant looks like it’s on death’s door, just toss it.
At that point, it will likely die from any treatment you give it.
If the plant isn’t dying, it’s up to you if you want to try to fight the mealybugs or not.
If you don’t want to deal with them, toss the plant.
If you do toss the plant, toss the soil too.
If it’s a cheap pot or one you don’t like, toss that too.
If you keep the pot, give it a good washing to limit the chances of mealybugs coming back from reusing the pot.
How to Prevent Mealybugs from Coming Back
Once you have eliminated the mealybugs in your plants, you will want to prevent future infestations.
There are a few steps that will help with this.
Quarantine and Inspect New Plants
When you bring new plants into your home, put them in quarantine.
Keep them away from all other plants for until you are sure they don’t have any bugs.
While the plant is in quarantine, inspect them for mealybugs and other common houseplant pests.
If you find any, treat that plant before putting it with your other plants.
Systemic Insecticide
Systemic insecticides are a preventative measure.
They are applied to the soil and then taken up by the plant.
These work by poisoning the bugs when they feed on the plant.
Follow the directions on the systemic insecticide you have for how to apply it to your plants.
With proper application, this type of insecticide will protect your plant for several months.
Don’t Overwater
Mealybugs prefer to live in moist environments.
By not overwatering your plants, you will create an environment that is less inviting for them.
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