How to Treat Mealy Bugs on Bromeliads

Typically pest-resistant, bromeliads can suffer mealy bug damage.

Mealy bugs are one of the most common bromeliad pests. They suck life juices from the plant and reduce its vigor and ability to thrive. Mealy bugs also secrete mold that attracts ant pests onto bromeliad foliage. You can prevent a small outbreak from raging into a full-blown infestation with some common, non-toxic household products.

Things You'll Need

• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton swabs
• Insecticidal soap

Instructions

1. Inspect your bromeliad every day for the presence of mealy bugs. Look for tiny white ovals that look cottony. Check especially well where the leaves attach to the stem.

2. Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol. Touch it directly to a mealy bug. The pest will soon die.

3. Treat the bromeliad with insecticidal soap. Coat all surfaces of the plant thoroughly. Follow the package instructions carefully.

4. Rinse the soap from the bromeliad’s foliage thoroughly 24 hours following treatment.

5. Repeat weekly until the mealy bugs are gone.

6. Provide your bromeliad with excellent air circulation to help prevent mealy bug infestations.

Tips & Warnings

• Inspect prospective new plant purchases for mealy bugs before you buy. Infected nursery stock is one of the most common ways of introducing infestations of these pests.

• Don’t use products based with heavy oils on bromeliads. These materials can choke your plant.

References

• Bromeliad Society International: Frequently Asked Questions
• Tropiflora: Tropiflora’s General Bromeliad Care
• Colorado State University: Mealy Bugs on Houseplants
• Yardener: Bromeliad

Resources

• University of Florida: Insect and Related Pests of Bromeliads