How to Get Rid of Jasmine Plant Pests

Jasmine, a popular houseplant for the enticing fragrance of its flowers, often leaves beginning gardeners wondering what happened when pests appear. Mealy bugs and spider mites are two pests that attack jasmine plants. There are easy, earth friendly ways to remove these pests.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Spray bottle
• Soapy water
• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton swab

1. Avoid strong chemicals in pesticides with a combination of soapy water and diluted rubbing alcohol for mealy bugs. If spider mites are the problem, use a solution of soapy water.

2. Remove adult mealy bugs from jasmine plants by touching them with the tip of a cotton swab dipped into diluted rubbing alcohol. Mealy bugs are white furry creatures with many legs. Don't touch the leaf of the jasmine plant, or the leaves and stems may dry up. A mixture of soap and water is an alternative to the rubbing alcohol. Either option will dissolve the protective waxy coating on the mealy bug.

3. Spray a stream of water strong enough to knock away the pests. Spider mites are tiny red bugs that build webs on the plants. Before spraying the entire plant with soapy water, test the solution on one or two leaves to make sure it will not burn the jasmine plant. Burned leaves will turn brown.

4. Continue natural pest control regularly over several weeks to ensure that all of the spider mites, mealy bugs and their eggs are gone. Once the jasmine plant is clean of pests, weekly check whether new pests have are using the jasmine plant as a host.