Chumasande MatiwanePlant parents are bound to see a few bugs on their houseplants occasionally. One of the most common pests likely to show up on your plants is mealybugs. These insects resemble tiny bits of waxy or fuzzy, white cotton stuck to the stems and leaves of your houseplant. These pesky bugs can leave an annoying, sticky residue of undigested sugar on your plants.
What are mealybugs?
Mealybugs are tiny, oval-shaped insects; they have soft bodies instead of the hard shells that scale insects have. Usually found in hard-to-reach or see spaces in your houseplants, such as the points where leaves meet stems and the undersides of leaves. Some mealybug species can hide in the soil and on the roots, making them more challenging to spot. These insects are most attracted to citrusy houseplants and tropical plants, such as fiddle-leaf figs and hibiscus, but they’re not picky and can spread to other nearby plants.
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How to get rid of mealybugs
When you need to get rid of mealybugs on your houseplants, patience and persistence are necessary. You need to take a closer look to determine the severity of the problem, as this will help you decide how to address the problem. With the following methods, you can get them sorted with ease.
Use rubbing alcohol
If the infested plant is small or there are not many mealybugs, dab the insects with a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol. This will kill and wipe out the bugs, as well as clean away the honeydew. The alcohol dries quickly without hurting your plant, but it is a good idea to test a leaf to see how your plant responds to the rubbing alcohol.
Spray with water
Using water is also a viable solution. You can remove the bug from your houseplants with a strong water spray. For your bigger potted plants, take them outside and use a hose to spray them. Do not forget about the undersides of the leaves, as the bugs might hide under them. In addition to blasting off bugs, you’ll also rinse away any sticky residue and clean off dust and dirt.
Neem oil
You can also use neem oil. Neem oil is a natural insecticide; just harvest the oil and use it to treat your plants. Prepare a spray by combining neem oil with water in a spray bottle. Targeting the vulnerable, young mealybugs. Repeat this treatment every 3 days, two to three times, to make sure you disrupt their life cycle. For the most stubborn mealybug infestations, using this insecticidal neem oil gets the job done.
ALSO SEE: HOW TO USE NEEM OIL ON YOUR PLANTS TO FIGHT PESTS
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