How to get rid of mealybugs? The mealybug is one of the tiny insects that can quickly reproduce among your plants and become a big problem for your plants. This pest uses the sap of your plants for its growth. When you see a white cotton-like substance on the plant stem, you should alarm your plants. they can weaken or even kill plants, and you should get rid of mealybugs as soon as possible.
Mealybugs are one of the common pests and houseplants diseases. Maybe this creature has destroyed your houseplants for once. Mealybugs are three-millimeter, cotton-like, wingless, egg-laying insects often found on houseplants in warmer climates, such as greenhouses, and even indoors, where they multiply rapidly. With their needle-like mouths, they begin to suck the sap from the leaves of houseplants, and this factor causes them to grow, so it can be said that this pest feeds on plant sap.
If you are looking for similarities between pests, it should be said that mealybugs are cousins of pests such as scale and whitefly, which can be eliminated by various methods.
If you grow houseplants at home and see this pest on the plant, and its number is few, you can easily get rid of it. But know that if you do not act quickly, it will multiply quickly, and the plant will be destroyed. If their number is more than fingers, it will cause yellowing and twisting of the leaves and destruction of the plant.
What are mealybugs?
Mealybugs (also known as woolly aphids, whose scientific name is Pseudococcus, which belongs to the Pseudococcidae family) are scaly insects that cause damage and destruction of plants by sucking the water of their host plants. Also, like many pests, mealybugs tend to re-grow, and over time, their damage causes the yellowing of leaves and premature drop of fruits, vegetables and flower buds. In addition, in bad cases, their waxy secretions (also known as honeydew) can cause sooty mold. Mealybugs are highly attracted to moisture, so overwatered plants are more prone to this problem.
What is the reason for the presence of mealybugs in plants?
Mealybugs are drawn to specific plants that hold more water. Mealybugs are a severe threat to citrus trees such as mangoes and many houseplants, mainly tropical species. Keep in mind that mealybugs are attracted to plants with high nitrogen levels. They appear in plants in case of overwatering and overfertilization.
also check out the sings of nitrogen deficiency in plants
What are the symptoms of mealybug disease?
Because this pest has a flour-like coating on its body, you can quickly identify whether it is present on the plant. In addition to being floury, they create their eggs like a woolen ball on the stem of the plant, which is completely visible. One of the signs that this pest hides among the leaves is the presence of honeydew on the plant.
If you see that ants attack your plant, know that one of the reasons can be the presence of mealybugs because ants love the honeydew that this insect secretes. In addition to the mentioned cases, some symptoms appear in the plant when your plant is attacked by this insect, which I mentioned below.
What happens to the mealybugs in the plant?
- Wilting and deviation of new leaves in the plant
- Dropping leaves and buds
- Growth of unpleasant mass molds in damaged plants
- They grow on the undersides of leaves, on the stems of flowers or even on the outside of plants.
- Cottony white wax is usually the first sign of their presence.
- Mealybugs, by sucking plant sap and feeding on them, lead to the houseplants leaves turning yellow, stunted growth, wilting or death of plants.
Ways to get rid of mealybugs
In the following, we have explained different chemical and home methods to het rid of mealybugs , which you must read. In addition, one point that is very important to increase the success rate of using chemical substances or home methods to get rid of mealybugs is to use an ear cleaner or a tissue soaked in alcohol before using these substances. Try to clean houseplant leaves that have been infected by mealybug because it has a protective shield that does not allow insecticides or home remedies to have a good effect.
The first way to get rid of mealybugs is to wash the plant.
One of the home remedies to get rid of mealybugs is to wash the plant; if your plant is attacked very little and the number of mealybugs is not very high, you can easily fix the problem by washing the plant; just note that after a week, recheck the plant to make sure the mealybug is completely gone.
Using isopropyl alcohol to get rid of mealybugs
Dip a cotton ball in isopropyl alcohol and wipe off the mealybugs. Please pay attention to using a solution that does not contain more than 70% isopropyl alcohol, and it is better to test on a leaf first to ensure that the alcohol does not burn the plant.
Spray with insecticidal soap
Choose insecticidal soaps without fragrances and additives that harm plants. Then mix the soap with water and spray the resulting solution on the plants. If needed, repeat the spray every 7 to 10 days.
Home treatment to get rid of mealybugs by making a spray
in order to prepare a homemade spray to get rid of mealybugs:
- Mix 1 garlic, 1 small onion and 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a food processor or blender and make a paste.
- Mix with 1 liter of water and 1 tablespoon of liquid soap. This mixture can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Spray the solution on the parts of the plant that have mealybugs.
You have quickly done the home treatment to get rid of mealybugs without using chemicals.
Using water and dishwashing liquid to get rid of mealybugs
Another home remedy to get rid of mealybugs is to dissolve one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid in one liter of water and add one teaspoon of alcohol to it and mix the ingredients well. Then pour the prepared mixture into the sprayer and spray it on the place where the mealybug attacked.
check out 11 Powerful Methods to Get Rid Of Aphids On Houseplants
Plant insecticides
These natural pesticides, derived from plants that have insecticidal properties, have fewer harmful side effects than synthetic chemicals and help you get rid of mealybugs faster.
All kinds of insecticides and pesticides to get rid of mealybugs
In addition to the methods mentioned above, systemic pesticides can eliminate this insect, which I will explain in detail below. The important point is that if you want to use contact pesticide , you must remove the mealybug as much as you can with an ear cleaner and alcohol; before that, otherwise, you must use non-contact pesticides.
Using Confidor pesticideto get rid of mealybugs
Confidor pesticide is a systemic pesticide that affects the mealybug’s digestive system; you can use it to control and destroy this insect. Also, this pesticide disturbs the insect’s nervous system and eventually destroys it. The working method of this pesticide is that after you spray it on the plant, it is absorbed by the plant. When the mealybug feeds on your plant, this pesticide enters the digestive system and leaves its effect. So you don’t need to spray pesticide on all parts of the plant or aphids.
You can read how to use this type of pesticide from its packaging, but in general, dissolve 2 ccs of the pesticide in one liter of water and spray it on the plant. It is better to spray outside the house when the intense light does not reach the plant.
Using Malathion to get rid of mealybugs
Another pesticide that can be used to get rid of mealybugs is malathion, which is also found in the market under the name Maltus. It is interesting to know that the ingredients of this pesticide are the same as the ingredients of shampoos used to treat head lice. This pesticide is dangerous and has a very short shelf life; note that this pesticide is dangerous for bees, animals and birds. I do not recommend this pesticidefor use because it can be dangerous for humans.
The use of Fenpropathrin pesticide
Another pesticide pesticide, also known as an acaricide, is Fenpropathrin, a non-systemic contact pesticide (it must be sprayed on the place where the pest is present). It can easily destroy many insects and pests, except the mealybug. Use this pesticide once every 14 days. Do not use this pesticide if your succulent or cactus is affected by mealybugs because it will damage the plant.
Use of Dimethoate pesticide for mealybugs
Dimethoate pesticide should be considered from the family of systemic and non-contact pesticides and contains organophosphorus-like malathion. And because it is a non-contact pesticide , it enters the plant by spraying it on it. When the mealybug is feeding on the plant, it enters the digestive system and gradually destroys the mealybug. Except for the mealybug, this pesticide can destroy any sucking insect that has attacked your plant.
check out Methods to Eliminate Spider Mites on Houseplants
Ways to prevent mealybugs
- As with most pests, the best control for mealybugs is prevention. First, make sure your plants are healthy.
- The mealybug infects healthy plants, and greenhouses are an excellent place to grow them. Therefore, check any new plant carefully before buying.
- Reducing the feeding and watering of the plant sometimes prevents the development of mealybug because it reduces the nitrogen level and makes it difficult for the growth of the louse.
- Cleaning the foliage and regular spraying with a solution containing neem oil prevents the development of mealybugs in sensitive plant species.
- Reducing the night temperature of the plant up to 60 degrees Fahrenheit
How does the mealybug pest work?
Mealybugs are tiny insects that grow and lay eggs on succulents. It’s hard to say exactly what causes them to appear, but overwatering is a common cause. If the place where your plants are kept is not well-ventilated and the temperature is moderate, it is a good place for the growth and breeding of mealybugs. The first sign of their appearance is a white tarry substance in the corners of the plant. Their favorite place to hide is right where the leaves meet the stem.
The mealybug infects most parts of its host plant. They usually heavily infest many outdoor plants such as annuals, shrubs, and almost any plant in greenhouses or houses. They feed by pressing their needle-like mouthparts into the plant and using a sucking action to extract the sap.
Plants that this insect is interested in:
- Fruits, especially citrus fruits, figs, grapes and avocados
- Many ornamental plants include cactus, fuchsia, gardenia, hibiscus, jasmine and oleander, coleus, fern, ficus, orchid, palm and palm and philodendron.
This insect can easily infect greenhouse plants due to the hot and humid environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a mealybug live?
Female mealybugs lay 200 to 600 eggs that hatch within a few days. Within six to 10 weeks, the hatchlings are ready to lay eggs, so mealybug infestations can continue almost indefinitely unless eradicated.
Does the mealybug bite or sting?
The mealybug is not dangerous to humans. They only feed on plant water.
What plants are more sensitive to mealybugs?
There are many species of mealybugs, and almost any indoor plant can be sensitive to these pests. In particular, mealybugs are more likely to affect tropical plants with softer stems and leaves. Orchids, African violets, begonias, coleus and amaryllis are among the plants that are susceptible to this insect. They also infest many outdoor plants in warm climates of 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
What are the symptoms of mealybug infestation?
One of the easiest ways to manage a mealybug infestation is to prevent infested plants from entering the home. The homeowner should carefully inspect purchased plants before bringing them home for indoor use or planting. If the plants appear free of mealybugs, you should “quarantine” the plants for about two weeks. Another method to prevent mealybug damage is to cut or remove infected leaves or stems, which is the most efficient method to prevent damage and the spread of mealybugs.
If a mealybug infestation is widespread, a product should be sought to treat not only the mealybugs but also the ants that feed on the honey produced by the mealybugs because ants protect mealybugs from predators and transfer mealybugs from plant to plant, thus increasing the number of infected plants.
How serious are mealybugs?
These pests damage the plants by piercing the leaves and stems of the plant and drinking their sap, which leads to wilting and yellowing of the leaves. Mealy weevil honey is part of the sticky waste of pests, which causes mold growth in plants and attracts other insect pests. In any case, mealybugs do not bite and do not transmit the disease to humans.